Mario Kart World: A Chaotic Hit With Divisive New Features!
Exactly one week ago, on June 5, the Switch 2 was released. Alongside the new console, Nintendo launched a brand-new Mario Kart game: Mario Kart World. The result is a breathtaking racing adventure full of chaos, new features, and already a few controversies.
Mario Kart World introduces many new features never seen before in the franchise. These innovations change the game’s rhythm and bring a fresh feel to the races. One of the biggest additions is the open world, which we’ll explore in more detail shortly. For the first time, you can drive beyond traditional tracks.
Positive Innovations & Gameplay Features
Let’s start with the new features that were well-received by fans. First are the new movement mechanics like Rail Grinds and Wall Rides. These allow you to slide along rails and walls, giving you a speed boost. Often, these slides double as shortcuts, making them especially useful.
Another feature—though divisive—was largely praised: the increase in race participants. Previous games maxed out at 12 players, but now Mario Kart World supports 24 racers. This makes races feel even more dynamic and chaotic.
Then there’s the aforementioned Open World. You’ll find thematically distinct regions like deserts, forests, mountains, volcanoes, and coastal areas—all seamlessly connected. You can drive to any Grand Prix course without a single loading screen. There are 30 unique tracks: 16 brand new and 14 remastered classics, all accessible via 116 interconnected routes.
In addition to the open world and the classic Grand Prix mode—where you compete in four consecutive races—there’s a new mode: the Knockout Tour. This elimination race mode pits 24 players against each other in a battle royale-style format. After each of the six checkpoints, the four slowest racers are eliminated. The track spans six different biomes from the open world and features varying start points to keep things fresh. Many are calling this mode the best addition Mario Kart has ever seen.
Mario Kart World also shines technically. On the Switch 2, the game runs at a stable 60 FPS with impressive visuals. The diverse biomes look great and add visual variety, especially in the open world. The game also features more than 200 music tracks that adapt dynamically to the action.
Criticism of Mario Kart World
Not everything in Mario Kart World hits the mark. Some features have drawn criticism. One such feature is the Free Roam mode within the open world. Initially fun to explore, it quickly loses steam due to its lack of mission content.
You can collect Peach Medals, ?‑Panels, and P-Switches to unlock new karts, stickers, and outfits. There are some mini-challenges like time trials, jump combos, or hide-and-seek with coins and medals, but that’s about it. A 24-minute day-night cycle adds atmosphere, and the mode works well for photo ops. However, once all medals are collected, it quickly feels empty and lonely. Sadly, the mode is single-player only and often described as “beautiful but hollow.”
Some players also criticize the AI in races. It tends to punish strong players—when you’re in the lead, the AI gets powerful items that are frequently used against you.
Conclusion
Mario Kart World takes bold steps forward in this iconic racing franchise. New mechanics like Rail Grinds and Wall Rides are welcome additions. The expanded player count is a risky yet successful move. While the open world is visually impressive, it lacks depth. The standout feature is undoubtedly the Knockout Tour—an exciting and innovative take that fans have embraced.
Hey, I’m Kilian, but online you’ll probably know me as “Tux1243.” I've been part of the team for almost two years now, always trying to keep you in the loop with the latest and coolest gaming news. I also have a huge passion for doing deep dives and detailed analyses of entire game series and franchises. I love getting to the bottom of things and exploring the little details and backstories that make game worlds so fascinating.
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