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How Waves Are Generated in Mario Kart World

In Mario Kart World, waves are generated based on wind direction/strength and elapsed time (img 1 below). The whitecap portion of a wave (img 2) allows for jumps that give the player a boost.

Drawing from patent publication US 20260295420: FIG. 7 is an example non-limiting diagram illustrating generation and control of first-type waves
Drawings from patent publication US 20260295420: FIG. 8 is an example non-limiting diagram showing the shape of a water surface when each point V of the water surface is displaced from its initial state; FIG. 9 is an example non-limiting diagram illustrating a method for rendering a whitecap portion

There are two types of weather areas that produce the wind. The first is a larger cubic space within a grid system, and the second is a smaller hemispherical space within the first (img 1 below). For instance, calm winds/waves in a broader first area, but strong winds/waves with whitecaps in the confines of a second area (img 2).

Drawing from patent publication US 20260295420: FIG. 10 is an example non-limiting diagram showing an example of a plurality of weather areas defined on the field
Drawing from patent publication US 20260295420: fFIG. 11 is an example non-limiting diagram showing an example of game images before and after the player object 70 enters the second weather area

Aside from the weather generated waves, there are event based waves caused by Bob-omb explosions (img 1 below) and Ty-foo wind gusts (img 2), and also whirlpools predetermined on the map (img 3).

Drawing from patent publication US 20260295420: FIG. 12 is an example non-limiting diagram showing an example of a second-type wave that is caused by a bomb item launched by a player object
Drawing from patent publication US 20260295420: FIG. 13 is an example non-limiting diagram showing an example of a second-type wave that is caused by an action performed by a cloud object placed in the virtual space
Drawing from patent publication US 20260295420: FIG. 14 is an example non-limiting diagram showing an example of a whirlpool 47 placed at a predetermined position in the sea 40

Related:

[Originally posted on 2026-10-13 Pacific Time]