Mario Kart World (Nintendo Switch 2)

Most Nintendo Switch 2 owners have been playing and enjoying Mario Kart World. For those who purchased the new system immediately, that means weeks of racing and driving across its new interconnected open map. Are your engines still revving, or have you parked your kart for the time being? Now that the honeymoon period is over, let’s explore under the hood.

As the first brand new Mario Kart entry in over a decade, World has much it needs to deliver on. In terms of the number of racers, it does just that. Jostling amongst 24 bikes and karts (with plenty of new drivers) can seem like a lot, but the tracks are more open to accommodate this increase. There’s a real width, and with plenty of alternate routes, you don’t need to worry about being stuck in a narrow loop getting shelled by a racer a dozen places back.

Racing can be done solo, multiplayer, or online. The latter two will likely give this game legs throughout the Switch 2’s lifespan, and I was impressed the first time I played online with some of my PN colleagues. I even won a couple of online matches, which is a rarity. Everything was smooth, and game chat made it even more fun (free for all for the time being). You can customize the windows to get a gameplay view to your liking. But you’ll likely start solo to get your legs (or wheels), so to speak.

It’s comforting seeing familiar modes like Grand Prix, Time Trials, and VS Race. There’s no 200cc, but even 150cc gives a smaller margin for error than past entries. Yet the star is arguably the new Knockout Tour, with each checkpoint eliminating the bottom four racers. There’s no break in between to crack your knuckles while looking at the results screen; it’s one long sprint that demands your peak concentration. It seems to be a fan favorite, and I can certainly see why, as it adds a unique brand of tension. Just remember to blink now and then. Also, remember to check the settings, as it bizarrely defaults to “Smart Steering.”

Of course, some readers may notice I didn’t mention Battle. As of now, this mode feels like it hasn’t gotten up to speed. Only Balloon Battle and Coin Runners are currently available. I suspect some will also take issue with the track designs, which seem to adopt an approach similar to when Mario Kart 8 first launched on the Wii U. While I didn’t mind that take (edited versions of existing racing tracks), expect a lot of time driving, looking for your competition. I’ve been a fan of this mode since it debuted in Mario Kart 64, so I hope it gets some further treatment.

Keen-eyed players will eventually find the tiny map icon buried at the bottom of the main screen, which lets you roam freely over the sizable regions. I missed it initially and am surprised that what most see as the primary addition isn’t more prominent. Perhaps Nintendo is indeed more invested in Knockout Tour when it comes to Mario Kart World.

As far as being the mode to generate the most discussion leading up to and during the early days of launch, Free Roam has proven, thankfully, enjoyable. Relaxing is even a word I’d use, as you drive about searching for coins, costumes, or photo spots, and watch the transition from day to night. Seeing parts of the tracks you wouldn’t otherwise makes me want to jump out of my kart and explore on foot.

Roaming doesn’t have to mean aimless, though, as the P Switches give purpose. These are not relaxing, as some can prove very tough. These missions often will place greater emphasis on jumping, or brand new techniques like rail riding. While they do change color upon successful completion, their implementation, at present, feels incomplete. As a whole, this mode would get a shot in the arm with some beneficial updates. 

That said, what could some of those updates entail? A better way to track missions would be thoughtful. You’ll get a lot of new costumes in this mode, so a cleaner user interface would help reverse some of Nintendo’s recent struggles in this regard. Seriously, how many costumed Marios must we flip through? How about something more to do with all these stickers, or something beyond stickers, period? They feel like a last-second addition with little thought given. 

Wider-ranging updates would be more involved, but no less appreciated. You’ll discover longer P Switch missions that have you racing along recreations of classic tracks. I’d enjoy seeing these incorporated throughout the game to augment the low track count. The game also has a brilliant soundtrack, a love letter to the Mario series with some amazing remixes. Imagine having a radio or some way to customize a playlist while cruising.

On the tracks themselves, I’m surprisingly a bit torn. Don’t get me wrong, they are all fun. And being connected truly does make this feel like a titular “World.” But it also means that individually, the tracks are proving less memorable, as the traditional loop structure often isn’t there. I mainly notice this in the reworked older tracks, as it’s often just the first or final lap that feels classic. 

Remarking on these older tracks, while they are just as fun (and have never looked better), they rob this game of a brand new feeling, slightly. The roster is already small compared to MK8 DX. So, when nearly half of it is stuff we’ve already seen, that ratio is missing the mark. Choco Mountain is a classic, but I don’t need to see it in five different entries. At least some are returning for the first time, like Toad’s Factory. Even then, I’d prefer something fresh. My favorite of the new ones is probably DK Spaceport, a nod to the original arcade game. DK himself must be unlocked, however, by beating the first cup.

Longtime fans will have a ton of fun with Mario Kart World and its innovations, both major and minor—who knew racing as a cow would resonate so? For newcomers, this may prove to be a defining game of its generation. I’m excited to see how it grows in the months and years ahead.

Driving for weeks now, I can better sum up my feelings on Mario Kart World post-honeymoon. It’s a great game that looks (and sounds) as outstanding as it plays—speedy, sharp, and smooth on Switch 2. It’s well worth the extra Bundle cost! Still, as a standalone $79.99 game, it’s undeniably lacking compared to its predecessors’ original tracks, overall number of tracks, and other features and polish. Doubtless, some free DLC will add needed content and give some existing content a tune-up. Mario Kart World is a game you don’t want to miss, one that crosses the finish line with its head held high.