When Nintendo launches a new console, it’s always joined by one of their heavy-hitting IPs to help show off the new tech at its best, and for Nintendo Switch 2, that sees a brand-new Mario Kart racing onto the scene with Mario Kart World.
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But Mario Kart World isn’t just a new instalment. It’s the one that follows what many see as the best game in the series, Mario Kart 8. That, in many ways over its lengthy lifespan, has forged a whole new arcade racing standard by which all others are measured, from track design to its solid mechanics.
That said, Mario Kart World isn’t a pushover, but it’s not aiming to top what Mario Kart 8 achieved. Instead, it dares to try something a bit new, a bit bold, and oh-so Nintendo, blending racing and open-world thrills to create something that is genuinely different from everything that came before it.
Open Wheels, Open World
The world of Mario Kart World is one huge interconnected map that you can freely explore. The game world is made up of all the tracks with extra bits in between. There’s also Knockout Tour mode, which is like a vehicle-based battle royale. Here, you race from track to track with the slowest racers eliminated each round.
Familiar modes like Grand Prix have been tweaked with the addition of the open-world element. Battle Mode is now timed. World takes everything you think you know about Mario Kart and tries to put a new spin on it.
It’s the open-world side of things, though, that feels like the main driver for change in Mario Kart World . For starters, this type of design makes every track in the game an actual place. Whereas before, detailed backgrounds hinted at a world beyond the track, now that hint is a reality.
There’s real delight in discovering how each of the 30 tracks fits into the world. From Wario Shipyard to Toad’s Factory and Moo Moo Meadows, many of which are returning tracks from past games across the series, only this time reimagined.
Track Centred
The track design on display is very good, though whether it’s Mario Kart 8-good is the real question. Well, it’s early days, and some tracks do stand out already, but it all needs time to grow on us. Most are multilayered affairs with lots of hidden jumps and grinds to earn extra boosts from.
But it’s much more than just track design that shines. It’s the roads and routes in between, too. And, you’ll need to master to make it to the next race, dodging traffic and pedestrians alike while nabbing a power-up or two.
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You can always just jump into the world by diving into Free Roam mode, a bit oddly placed in the bottom right of the main menu screen. This is a space built for chilling, while rewarding you with loads of goodies for exploring, like new stickers and costumes.
Full Grid
As for characters, Mario Kart World features a mixed roster of 50. This half-century combines classic Mario favourites with unique and honestly unexpected additions. There are 24 mainline Mario characters to drive as, with another 26 creature/NPC drivers. Expect to see Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Toad, Wario, Waluigi, and Rosalina, among many others.
Controls are razor-sharp and feel great. They remain firmly in that easy-to-pick-up-but-bloody-hard-to-master category. Anyone can play, but only a few will truly master the use of micro-controls to get the most out of their kart.
Structure and Story
If there’s a criticism to be made, it’s that there’s no real tale or focus in Mario Kart World. There’s a distinct lack of structure beyond just racing and exploring. No cutscenes, no storyline, no clear direction.
Which is an odd thing to say, but it perhaps gives you just too much freedom when not racing. Until, that is, you realise it’s a big sandbox full of fun things. You just need to be curious enough to find them. There are over 100 non-context-sensitive missions hidden out there.
Drifting, surprisingly, has been made less important. Instead, the focus has shifted to chaining boosts from dodging traffic or linking tricks. Not to say drifting is gone – it’s just no longer the key to victory it once was.
Power-ups are as expected, with a distinct rock-paper-scissors feel. Each one can be countered by another or strategically used alongside track elements and the environment.
Visual Racing Delight
Visually, Mario Kart World is stunning – colourful and packed with charm and whimsy in equal measure. More than that, it’s a tour de force for the Switch 2, and in many ways the first real system seller for the new console, being the only original Nintendo IP game at launch.
Sound-wise, it’s top tier, with an amazing soundtrack that draws from the series’ rich history in tone and vibe – most notably while free-roaming the world.
Mario Kart World had a mountain to climb to beat Mario Kart 8, and it dared to try something new and exciting. It may divide hardcore fans, but it pulls everything together in a joyful way to become the first must-buy on the Switch 2, without question.
Does it beat Mario Kart 8, though? We’ll see – this is just the start of what looks to be one hell of a ride.
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