Honestly, I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to Mario Kart character picks. But just one day after Mario Kart World’s release on the brand-new Switch 2, the internet is obsessed with a most unlikely racer: Meuh Meuh, the cow who used to just watch from the track’s edge. As someone who’s followed Nintendo’s mascot mayhem for decades, this kind of viral character moment is both hilarious and a window into how Mario Kart World is shaking up the series-and the console launch.
Here’s what actually matters about this launch-not just another Mario Kart, but one that’s gone viral thanks to an NPC-turned-icon. Let’s break down why Meuh Meuh mania perfectly sums up what’s new (and weirdly exciting) about Mario Kart World.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Release Date | June 5, 2025 |
| Genres | Racing, Open World, Multiplayer |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch 2 |
This caught my attention not just because Mario Kart’s back (again), but because Nintendo has finally taken a creative risk with the formula. After years of remixes and DLC packs, Mario Kart World moves the series into open-world design, and for once, it feels like there’s room for unscripted player stories to emerge. Case in point: within 24 hours, players memed an obscure background cow into the game’s de facto mascot. That’s raw community energy you can’t manufacture with marketing alone.
If you follow Nintendo launches, you know the company loves to play it safe—especially with Mario Kart, a series that practically prints money. But the Switch 2 needed a killer app, and Mario Kart World is designed to be just that. The open-world approach lets classic tracks blend together, and that interconnectedness means weird moments (like a herd of cows racing online) can happen organically. It’s a far cry from the carefully curated chaos of previous Karts.
Looking at preorders—2.2 million in Japan alone before release—it’s clear Nintendo nailed the “system seller” vibe. But let’s be real: the Switch 2’s launch lineup is otherwise thin. Mario Kart World isn’t just a fun game; it’s the main reason to buy into the new hardware right now. That puts extra pressure on every feature, every character, and every meme-able moment to keep the hype rolling while Nintendo’s other exclusives lag behind.
But is the cow-mania just a flash-in-the-pan meme, or does it say something bigger about how we play games now? I’d argue it’s both. Sure, some of the viral picks are pure novelty. But Nintendo’s willingness to let players inhabit a random trackside cow—rather than just another reskinned Mario—shows a real shift toward giving fans tools to create their own fun. Social media is already flooded with screenshots and videos of all-cow races, and honestly, that’s the sort of player-driven moment you rarely see in the Mario Kart of old. It’s “Blue Shell” chaos, but with personality.
For long-time fans, the real test will be whether Mario Kart World’s open structure makes the game feel fresh long-term, or if the novelty fades once the memes move on. Nintendo’s track record with online play is famously rocky, so there’s healthy skepticism about whether the infrastructure can handle the inevitable surge of players. Still, the community energy on display right now is real—and it’s a sign that Nintendo’s gamble on open-world design is already paying off in unexpected ways.
Bottom line: if you’re grabbing a Switch 2, Mario Kart World is the must-play title—whether you’re here for the racing, the chaos, or just to join the herd. Just don’t be surprised if your next online race is wall-to-wall cows.
Mario Kart World’s viral cow character, Meuh Meuh, signals a new era for the series—open-world, community-driven, and unpredictable. For now, the Switch 2’s launch belongs to Nintendo’s racer, and the fan-fueled hype shows there’s still plenty of life (and memes) left in the franchise.
Source: Nintendo via GamesPress