Mario Kart, the king of friendly competition, is back with Mario Kart World, aiming to be the must-have game for the shiny new Nintendo Switch 2. After over a decade with the incredibly popular Mario Kart 8 (and its Deluxe version), fans have been eagerly waiting for a true new chapter. Mario Kart World steps up, bringing a huge roster, fresh tracks, game-changing ways to race, and a whole new mode to explore. Is it a smooth ride to victory or does it hit a Blue Shell before the finish line?
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This new entry packs a punch with the biggest starting lineup of racers and tracks the series has ever seen, introduces exciting new mechanics like Wall Riding and the handy Rewind feature, and debuts a unique Free Roam mode that connects the world like never before. Get ready for more chaos on the track with up to 24 racers vying for first place!
What’s New Under the Hood?
Mario Kart World isn’t just more of the same; it introduces several key changes designed to keep the formula fresh while appealing to both veterans and newcomers.
A Packed Roster and More Tracks
Right out of the gate, Mario Kart World boasts a massive 50 characters, a record for the series at launch. Alongside favorites like Mario, Luigi, and Peach, you’ll find some truly unique faces like Stingby, Coin Coffer, and the internet-famous Cow, adding fun new options and personality to the grid. While some familiar faces like Diddy Kong are missing, the sheer variety at the start is impressive. Character costumes even get their own portraits, which is cool but can make scrolling through choices a bit lengthy.
You’ll race across 30 distinct tracks, many of which are beloved remakes from previous Mario Kart games, all beautifully updated. Tracks often blend seamlessly into one another as you move from one area to the next, a neat touch that makes Grand Prix feel more connected.
More Racers, More Chaos!
One of the biggest shake-ups is the increase in racers on the track, jumping to a chaotic 24 participants in a single race! This is especially noticeable in online multiplayer, turning races into unpredictable melees. While it can be frustrating to be hit by an item from far back, it also levels the playing field, giving less skilled players a chance thanks to the sheer pandemonium.
Speaking of items, the infamous Blue Shell is still here, but savvy players now have a slightly larger window to dodge it using a boost mushroom. This increased racer count really shines in the new Knockout Tour mode, where you race across linked tracks, with the last place racers eliminated at checkpoints until only a few are left standing.
Bowser flies a vehicle over a vibrant, detailed race track in Mario Kart World
Mastering New Moves
Success in Mario Kart World at higher speeds (like 150cc) depends on knowing the tracks inside and out, finding shortcuts, and pulling off tricks for speed boosts. While only two new items (the coin-dropping Coin Shell and the transforming Kamek) have been added, the way you navigate the world has expanded significantly.
Introducing the Charge Jump (by initiating a drift while moving forward) and the Wall Ride (using Charge Jump against a wall) adds a whole new dimension to the tracks. This verticality changes how you approach turns and obstacles, making even classic courses feel brand new. Tracks often have multiple routes and hidden paths, encouraging experimentation and rewarding players who learn their layout.
A Second Chance with Rewind
Learning those complex tracks and new mechanics is made much easier thanks to the new Rewind feature. In solo races, holding the down button lets you reverse time, correcting mistakes like missed jumps or bad turns instantly. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement, saving you from re-racing entire laps just to practice one section. Note that this doesn’t work in multiplayer, keeping the competitive integrity intact. For complete newcomers, the optional Smart Steering is back, though returning players will need to remember to turn it off in the settings if they prefer full control.
A distinctive cow character is highlighted on the character selection screen in Mario Kart World
Explore the World: Free Roam Mode
Perhaps the most defining new feature is Free Roam. This mode lets you drive around a large map that seamlessly connects the various race tracks. While Nintendo carefully avoids calling it “open world,” it shares many characteristics, offering a different pace than competitive racing.
The Free Roam map is sprinkled with hidden Peach Medallions and “?” panels to find, but the real fun comes from the blue P-Switches. Hitting these activates short time-trial challenges testing your mastery of the new traversal moves. Completing these challenges earns you stickers to customize your kart – the reward might be simple, but the variety and creativity of the challenges are excellent. Free Roam provides a great space to practice, explore, or just take a break between races, filling the downtime while waiting for online matches.
However, navigating the Free Roam map can be a bit tricky. Unlike many open-world games, there’s no detailed mini-map with markers. The map is small and shows only your immediate surroundings, making it hard to track collectibles or points of interest. There’s also no progress tracker for specific areas, only overall counts on the world map. Fans hoping to explore this new mode with a friend in local co-op will also be disappointed, as split-screen isn’t supported in Free Roam.
Details are visible on a city-themed race track featuring large buildings in Mario Kart World
A Soundtrack to Race By
Mario fans will instantly recognize the incredibly extensive music selection in Mario Kart World. Featuring over 200 remixed and live-recorded tracks from across the entire series, the music is a true highlight, adding to the game’s celebratory feel. It’s a feast for the ears that perfectly complements the action.
The Verdict: A Strong Start for Switch 2?
Mario Kart World arrives as a highly promising launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. Its ambition is clear, offering the biggest starting package in series history with a massive roster and diverse tracks. The new traversal mechanics and the Rewind feature make learning and mastering the game more accessible and rewarding, while the increased racer count ramps up the fun chaos. The Free Roam mode provides a unique space for exploration and practice, even with its map limitations.
While a few fan-favorite characters are missing and the Free Roam map could be more user-friendly, the core racing experience is classic Mario Kart perfected, enhanced by smart new additions. Combined with Nintendo’s signature stellar presentation and a fantastic soundtrack, Mario Kart World feels like an exciting and innovative step forward for the series. It’s undoubtedly an excellent choice to kick off the Switch 2 era.
Score: 8.5/10
Review copy of Mario Kart World provided by Nintendo UK.
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