The upcoming Mario Kart World game carries significant expectations. Being the first true successor since a decade, it follows Mario Kart 8 Deluxe which boasted over 96 playable tracks after numerous DLC expansions. Filling such established footsteps is challenging, especially considering that no game can immediately rival a well-stocked racer that has had a decade to expand. Given its potential for growth like its predecessor did, the new game offers a breath of fresh air and excitement, yet it may also leave fans feeling somewhat disappointed due to missed opportunities.
Mario Kart World is an expansive, open-world playground for racing adventures. The tracks in this world retain the thrilling gravity-defying stunts and unexpected twists that you’ve come to expect from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and the karts are equally versatile, capable of racing over water, soaring through the air, or traversing various terrains. Given that it’s an open world, these karts need to be adaptable enough to handle any part of this vast landscape – a sandbox where you can explore freely within its boundaries. This freedom is particularly evident in Free Roam mode, where you can delve into every intricate nook and cranny of the world at your leisure.
During races, the vast open world surrounding you tends to blend into insignificance, becoming little more than a backdrop. As you speed along, you’ll catch glimpses of distant landscapes, roads, and landmarks, but your attention will typically be fixed on the race track. However, in a multi-race Grand Prix, you’ll find yourself navigating highways between courses, which are now considered part of the race itself. Most tracks offer different routes for laps, though you can choose to stick with the familiar loop if you wish.
Although fresh tracks are scarce, there’s an abundance of classic ones skillfully integrated into the expansive open-world, offering novel paths to explore. While some tracks may not fully leverage the new open-world layout, the recently introduced Knockout Tour certainly does. The Knockout Tour is a significant addition, utilizing the open world effectively, and it’s nothing short of extraordinary. It marks one of the first substantial new game modes in a mainline Mario Kart game for years.
In this game, you dash through various locations across an expansive world, and at each milestone, players lagging behind are eliminated. At first glance, it may appear that the single-player mode is less than impressive, but when pitted against a swarm of online adversaries and friends, it’s nothing short of exhilarating!
The game designers have cleverly adjusted the balance so you seldom fall significantly behind the pack due to an abundance of potent power-ups that allow for swift recoveries, but this also means those in the middle of the pack often take a lot of damage regularly. If the idea of being pummeled and losing your coins triggers gaming frustration, then it’s best to steer clear of Knockout Tour while the rest of us enjoy the ride.
In a more casual and straightforward manner: Unfortunately, Battle Mode hasn’t received as much focus, giving the impression that it was an afterthought, just like how Mario Kart 8 on Wii U launched without original stadiums for battles. The developers are counting on the 24-player count to keep large sections of reused tracks engaging, but in reality, it falls short and Battle Mode feels dull when it should have distinctive maps designed for smaller player groups.
Regrettably, the Free Roam mode seems rather optional and lacks the excitement I was hoping for. It offers a hint of Pilotwings and Wuhu Island in its challenges and ambiance, but it could use more pizzazz to make it stand out. The main issue is that while it’s essential for unlocking Mirror Mode, it doesn’t fully engage me. It’s not a poor feature by any means, and it doesn’t detract from the game in any way, but I wish it were more thrilling. At least, it provides an ideal setting to hone your new wallriding and grinding skills before a major race.
Instead of having random P-block challenges that mainly involve collecting Blue Coins, it would be exciting to experience Forza Horizon-like jump competitions and spontaneous races in various map locations, alongside traditional long-distance marathons. However, the current game lacks this excitement, offering more of a casual mode that seems geared towards keeping young players engaged. While it’s satisfactory for casual play, it doesn’t justify the purchase of a new Nintendo Switch 2 for a 30-something millennial with a more discerning gaming palate.
To acknowledge something that’s sure to brighten up any grumpy young adult, I must give a heartfelt shout-out to the multiplayer experience on Switch 2, particularly its built-in Game Chat feature when used with a USB camera. This unique setup provides live feeds of other players’ expressions above their characters, creating an extraordinary gaming atmosphere. Laughing at your friend’s face zoom past before they crash on a shell in Mario Kart brings a new level of hilarity to the game, making it feel like you’re all hanging out together in the same room.
In summary, Mario Kart World is fantastic! The eight Grand Prix tracks are well-designed, and the new routes ensure each lap feels fresh. The game doesn’t feel lackluster compared to MK8D due to its diversity. Knockout Tour is a great new feature, even deserving of its own single-player tours. However, I find myself already anticipating future content, such as a potential DLC island with new courses. This eagerness for more content might suggest that the game’s release is still too early.
Mario Kart World offers an outstanding gaming experience, yet it seems slightly less expansive compared to some other open-world racing games on the market. Despite this, the track designs remain exceptional and Knockout Tour stands out as one of the best multiplayer modes in the Mario Kart series. If you’re planning to buy a Nintendo Switch 2, don’t miss out on Mario Kart World!
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2025-06-10 18:46