Most folks who snagged the Nintendo Switch 2, like, right away, have been diving into Mario Kart World. It’s been a whirlwind—people spend weeks zooming around this funky open map. Are you still in gear, or is your kart just chilling in the digital garage? Anyway, let’s go under the hood, kinda like checking the fridge at midnight without really knowing what you’re looking for.
So, like, it’s the first all-new Mario Kart in a decade. Big shoes to fill, right? They tossed in 24 different rides—bikes, karts, the works—loads of new drivers too. Tracks had to beef up to fit everyone, but there’s plenty of space to roam, so no one’s getting stuck in the slow lane, dodging shells from a dozen racer’s back. Or maybe they are. Who knows.
Playing solo? Cool. With friends or online? Even better. Those multiplayer vibes might just give this game legs—or wheels?—for the Switch 2’s lifetime. Jumping online for the first time with some buddies was a blast. I actually won a match or two, which, quite frankly, never happens. Everything felt smooth, and the game chat? Pure chaos, in a good way. Custom windows are available, but you’ll probably kick things off solo to get the hang of it, right?
Old friends like Grand Prix, Time Trials, and VS Race are comforting to see. Sadly, no 200cc, but 150cc will test your nerves just fine. Knockout Tour is the headliner here—checkpoint eliminations crank up the tension. Don’t forget to blink. Also, check your settings; it oddly defaults to “Smart Steering.” Why? Beats me.
About the Battle mode, yeah, it’s a bit slow off the line. Only Balloon Battle and Coin Runners for now. Noticed the track designs? They remind me of when Mario Kart 8 hit the Wii U—recycled feels, driving around hunting for rivals. I’ve been hooked on this mode since Mario Kart 64, so it’s kinda disappointing. Fingers crossed for some love there.
Speaking of discoveries, that tiny map icon at the main screen’s bottom caught me off guard. Gives you free reign over big areas. Missed it at first, which is ironic since it’s a big selling point. Wonder if Nintendo’s focusing more on Knockout Tour. Guess time will tell.
Then there’s Free Roam. Everyone was hyped, and I gotta say, it lives up—relaxing cruise sessions, finding coins, snapping pics, even daytime morphing into night. Makes me wanna jump out of the kart and wander around. But hey, roaming isn’t always aimless. Toss in P Switches to shake things up. These aren’t chill—they’ll have you pulling off jumps, maybe trying new tricks like rail riding. They light up when you beat ’em, but there’s this unfinished vibe hanging around. Put some oomph in this mode, and it’d be a hit, for sure.
So, what about some updates? Tracking missions better would be smart. You collect loads of costumes, so a tidy UI would ease the whole experience. Why all these Marios? Mix it up a bit! And stickers—what’s their deal? They feel last-minute.
Bigger updates could be epic. Imagine longer P Switch quests, racing on classic track remakes. Get those sprinkled through the game because the track count’s kinda low. The soundtrack’s killer, though—it’s all the Mario goodness remixed. A radio or playlist option would be neat while cruising.
Tracks, yeah, I’m torn. They’re connected, which makes it feel like a “World.” But that means single tracks, eh, don’t stick in your memory much—the typical loops are missing. Notice this more in the older ones, honestly. Like, recycle the first or last lap, and it feels classic.
Old tracks, while fun and visually stunning, steal a bit of the new-game thunder. The lineup already feels thin compared to MK8 DX. Choco Mountain is great and all, but it’s been done to death. Luckily, some classics like Toad’s Factory are back after a breather. Fresh content, though, is needed. DK Spaceport, anyone? An arcade nod. Unlock DK by winning the first cup. Not easy, but worth it.
For longtime fans, Mario Kart World’s tweaks, big and small, are a joy—racing as a cow is surprisingly cool. To newcomers, it’s an era-defining game. Keen to see how it evolves over time.
Been playing for weeks now—if I’m honest, Mario Kart World dazzles, both visually and performance-wise—fast, sleek, and buttery smooth on the Switch 2. The Bundle price, sure, it’s justified. But the $79.99 standalone price might feel a bit steep against its predecessors in tracks and features. Bet on some free DLC for extra goodies and spit-and-polish on what’s there. Still, Mario Kart World is a game you don’t wanna skip—crossing the finish line with a proud smile.
