Mario Kart: Double Dash Almost Dropped Its Iconic Two-Driver Feature
*Mario Kart: Double Dash* is remembered for its unique two-driver mechanic, but according to the game’s developers, the feature almost didn’t make it into the final game.
In a recently translated 2003 interview from *Nintendo Dream* (via Shmuplations), producers Tadashi Sugiyama and Shinya Takahashi, along with director Kiyoshi Mizuki, revealed that the two-character system was a risky addition. Takahashi explained that the mechanic was designed to enhance multiplayer gameplay, but the team struggled with how to implement it, even creating a backup version with single-driver karts as a fallback.
Originally, the team considered placing the two characters side by side in sidecars. However, this design made the karts too wide, leading to layout and visibility issues. To solve the problem, they switched to a front-and-back layout, which created a new challenge: the rear character blocked the view of the front driver. This eventually inspired the idea of letting players swap positions during races, which became a core part of the gameplay.
Despite the challenges, the two-driver system became a defining feature of *Double Dash*, making it one of the most distinctive entries in the *Mario Kart* series. While it hasn’t returned in later games, fans are hopeful it could be revived in the upcoming *Mario Kart World* for the rumored Switch 2.
Nintendo has also confirmed that GameCube titles are being added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, sparking speculation that *Double Dash* could make a comeback in a future update.
