(Image credit: Nintendo)
In positioning the Nintendo Switch 2 at the forefront of gaming innovation, Mario Kart World confronts the formidable task of becoming not only the pinnacle of its series but the ultimate karter of all time. The kart racing genre offers little substantial rivalry against Mario Kart, save for a few indie experiments and minimal AAA endeavors over the years. Thus, the series competes mainly with its legacy. With the last full-fledged Mario Kart debut in 2014’s Mario Kart 8 on Wii U, it poses the question: What defines a great Mario Kart or an exemplary kart racing game?
These contemplations have accompanied my journey through Mario Kart World. After introspective ruminations, I’ve concluded that a stellar kart racing experience is characterized by exhilarating races, flawless control responsiveness, and mechanics that keep you competitive, avoiding genuine unfairness even when it seems the game conspires against you.
Based on these criteria, Mario Kart World excels. Racing through vibrant tracks at 150cc speeds is an electrifying spectacle, with strategic shortcuts and surprising elements. More than once, sheer skill and timely item use catapulted me from the back of the pack to victory. The core essence of Mario Kart, with its whimsical racing and notorious shell attacks, thrives.
The game doesn’t rest on past triumphs. True to its name, there is a vast world to explore within the new Nintendo Switch 2 game, and while you could ignore this broader universe for pure racing, you’d miss out on much more.
In Grand Prix mode, traditional four-map races transition fluidly from course to course. Knockout Tour presents a continuous race with elimination checkpoints for those who don’t keep pace, while Free Roam lets you explore the sprawling map at your leisure.
Though I’ve sampled everything Mario Kart World offers, be it Knockout Tour or a local co-op GameChat session with three players, Free Roam consistently draws me back. This is intentional; its allure lies in unrestricted exploration, transforming every pause into a chance for discovery.
The 24-player Knockout Tour is a thrilling highlight, warranting a gold medal for Mario Kart World. The sheer magnitude of the game’s world is extraordinary, with expansive courses cleverly interlinked, inviting players to uncover collectibles ranging from stickers to apparel.
While I don’t typically chase after cosmetics, Mario Kart World has captivated me with its P-Switch missions. Scattered blue switches initiate missions during Free Roam, challenging players with diverse objectives, from evading enemies to navigating rail sequences, promising a sticker for their completion.
Such missions are intriguing distractions that subtly refine skills essential for conventional races. They introduce players to grinding and wall-jumping mechanics, essential tactics as competitors employ every advantage. These missions often serve as tutorials to master these techniques, ensuring the brevity keeps frustration at bay despite skill trials.
Each of these new features – Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, and Free Roam – independently justify a new installment, but their combined presence signifies a monumental evolution. Despite extensive hands-on experiences both at launch and prior preview events, I feel there’s still much more to discover in Mario Kart World.
Currently, my impressions stem from various preview sessions, so this ongoing review remains provisional. Awaiting more comprehensive exploration of both the console and the game, a conclusive rating is forthcoming. As development continues, don’t miss our comprehensive guide to all Nintendo Switch 2 launch games to maximize your console experience.