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Mario Kart Worldis the first mainline entry in the series in over a decade and introduces a garage full of new ideas, like the thrilling Knockout Tour, a Free Roam mode, and more. After spending thelast few years with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, World feels like a breath of fresh air with its fresh spin on a classic formula.
As eager as you might be toslam on the gasand purchase a copy of Mario Kart World before you finish reading this sentence, there are a few things worth considering first. As a launch game for the Nintendo Switch 2, it has a couple of caveats attached to it, but we’ll help you figure out whether Mario Kart World is worth it or not.
Review
Lead Features Editor Jade King reviewed Mario Kart World for TheGamer and had such a good time with it that she ultimately gave it a 4/5. In her article “Mario Kart World Review - Gorgeous, Enormous, And The Sole Reason To Buy A Nintendo Switch 2 Right Now”, she highlights what makes the experience feel special while also pointing out a few flaws.
One of the King’s immediate reactions to the game washow much fun she was having from the start. Small adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience that mitigate some frustrating aspects from previous entries. From how balanced each vehicle feels to not being stopped in your tracks every time you’re hit by an item, these minor adjustments go a long way.
Mario Kart World’s newest mechanic focuses on grinding on rails and riding on walls, which Kingthought was implemented perfectly.“Drifting around a tight corner only to grind upon a rail, execute a trick, and send yourself to a wall that allows you to literally fly over the competition feels incredible.”
…it’s hard to walk away from Mario Kart World without feeling like you’ve just played the most accomplished kart racer ever made.
While King praised Mario Kart World’s gameplay and innovations, shewasn’t the biggest fan of its Free Roam mode. It’s interesting in theory, but once you hop in and start driving around, you’ll quickly realize that there isn’t that much to actually do.
There are hidden collectibles and challenges to discover in the open world, but the rewards areoften underwhelming and don’t quite feel like they’re worth the effort. “These are fun, but aside from the satisfaction of winning and earning a cool decal, they’re also superfluous. With few of these having any real impact on gameplay, they’re all just purely aesthetic.”
Despite her disappointment with Free Roam, King thinks the newKnockout Tour mode more than makes up for it and could define the future of the series.“Knockout Tour is not for the weak, and I adore how it’s an encapsulation of all the things this series has done well over the years. It takes the concept of battle royale and spreads it across a lovingly crafted open world filled with several decades of gaming history.”
Ultimately, King thinks that Mario Kart World justifies its existence as a Switch 2 title with itsgorgeous visuals and ambitious ideas. “World is more playful, more unpredictable, and more willing to give players all the toys they need to have fun and put the pedal to the metal.”
Cost
Mario Kart World is available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 for$79.99. You can purchase either a physical or digital version of the game for this price.
If you don’t own a Nintendo Switch 2, there is a digital bundle available that will save you a bit of money. If you want to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle, it willcost you $499.99, saving you about $30.
Time Expenditure
Mario Kart World is the kind of game you cankeep going back to for yearswhile you wait for the next iteration. Between playing with friends or hopping online for a Grand Prix or Grand Tour, you could arguably play the game for hundreds of hours without burning out.
To roll credits, all you need to do is clear every Grand Prix at least once, including the secret one that concludes with Rainbow Road. This should only take you a total oftwo or three hours.
If you plan on doing everything in Free Roam, from completing missions to collecting Peach Medallions, it should take youcloser to 25 hours to finish your trip.
What Players Are Saying
A World Of Fun - Rebecca Phillips
I’m an extremely casual Mario Kart player - the last Mario Kart games I played were on the DS and on the Wii, and I somehow skipped 8 entirely - but Mario Kart World has its hooks in me. The new tracks are great and Knockout Tour is a brilliant new mode that’s absolutely worth trying. Races feel more chaotic (at least compared to what I’ve played) and it keeps me coming back for more. Even if you’re just in it for a fun time, I’d definitely say it’s worth it.
Be Open Minded About This Open World Take - Branden Lizardi
Mario Kart World really takes the series into an interesting direction with the open-world format. They pull on this with the main modes, having you race between tracks. Some folks might love this fluid take on racing, while those who prefer to perfect multiple laps may find it less appealing. But if you’re just looking to have fun, World does a great job at keeping everything quick and engaging.
