Okay, let’s dive into this. So, most people who grabbed the new Nintendo Switch 2 are all about Mario Kart World. I mean, it’s kind of the thing to be doing on there, right? If you were on it right away, you’ve probably been zooming around that massive interconnected map. But here’s the question—are you still going full throttle, or is it just chillin’ in the garage now? Anyway, let’s pop the hood and see what’s up.
Alright, so this is the first Mario Kart in, like, ages. Kind of a big deal. They really needed to nail it, and honestly, they kinda do with the number of racers. You’re out there with 24, which sounds wild, but the tracks are wide enough. It’s not just bumper cars in a kiddie pool, thank goodness. The whole thing’s built to handle all those karts at once. So, if you’re worried about being rear-ended by some guy in last place, don’t.
You can hustle through it solo, with pals, or jump online. Multiplayer is definitely keeping this thing alive, and I gotta say, my first online race? Nailed it. Won a couple matches. Rare moment, let me tell you. Everything was smooth, and that game chat? Total chaos, but the fun kind. And, yeah, maybe start on your own just to get a feel for it.
The classic modes like Grand Prix, Time Trials, and VS Race are back—breathe out. No 200cc, but 150cc’s still got you sweating, trust me. But the real MVP? Knockout Tour. Every checkpoint, the last four? Gone. No breaks, no stretching your fingers, just pure, non-stop focus. Everyone seems obsessed, and it’s no mystery why. It’s edge-of-your-seat stuff. Oh, and watch out—”Smart Steering” is on by default for some reason.
Now, let’s talk Battle mode. If you’re wondering why I’m quiet on that front, it’s because it’s kinda half-baked right now. Just Balloon Battle and Coin Runners. Feels a bit like Mario Kart 8 throwbacks, which might bug some people. Tracks feel like you’re driving to find folks more than, y’know, battling. As a kid who loved this back with Mario Kart 64, I’m rooting for some upgrades.
And there’s this tiny map icon? Took me forever to notice, hidden in plain sight. Lets you free roam around. I figured it’d be all over the place since it’s like the big new feature. Guess not. Probably betting big on Knockout Tour.
The Free Roam is surprisingly chill. Like, drive around, grab coins, take cool pics, soak in the scenery—kinda stuff. Watching it shift from day to night? Gets you. Almost makes me wanna hop out and walk around, which is weird, right?
But, roaming’s not just for killing time. There’s these P Switches, which are, um, not relaxing. Takes some skills—jumping, rail riding, the whole nine yards. They change color once you’ve done ’em, but it feels like they left it hanging. This mode needs a juicy update, seriously.
What would sweet updates even look like? Well, tracking missions better would be a start. Costumes for days, so maybe a cleaner menu? Flipping through a bunch of Marios gets old fast. And those stickers? Come on, give them a purpose, they feel like an afterthought.
Bigger changes would rock, too. Longer missions featuring classic tracks would be cool—just to boost the low track count, maybe. And hey, the soundtrack? Killer. Remixes galore. Could we get a radio or something for cruising? That’d be neat.
When it comes to the tracks, I’m split. Don’t get me wrong, they’re fun and all, but the whole interconnected thing makes them sorta blur together. The classics, they just feel right. Kinda miss that loop style, I guess.
Seeing those older tracks brought back is neat, but it does shave off the “new game” vibe a bit. The track roster isn’t massive, especially compared to Mario Kart 8 DX. Oldies are goldies, but fresh would be better. DK Spaceport’s a fresh fav—arcade game vibes all over. But DK? Gotta unlock him, classic style.
For longtime fans, it’s full of little surprises. Who thought racing as a cow would hit home? And for new players, it’s a defining ride, no doubt. I’m pumped to see what’s next.
Zooming around for weeks, I’ve finally got my head around Mario Kart World post-bliss. She’s a beaut—looks good, feels good, sounds good. Fast, sleek, all that jazz. Worth the bundle price? Yep. But $79.99 solo? It’s got room to grow. Free DLC could spice up the package, for sure. But right now? It’s a must-play, crossing that finish line with style.
