Mario Kart World Review
Few franchises in gaming are as beloved and as universally playable as Mario Kart. After the staggering success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which has sold nearly 70 million copies on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo was always going to face enormous expectations for its next entry. And here it is: Mario Kart World, launching alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, with a bold new direction and some welcome surprises.
With its vibrant presentation, rock-solid performance, and clever new modes, Mario Kart World doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does make that wheel bigger, faster, and more fun than ever.
An Evergreen Series Evolves
Bundling Mario Kart World with the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 was a stroke of genius. There’s simply no better game to showcase a new Nintendo console than Mario Kart — it’s accessible to newcomers, deep enough for veterans, and endlessly replayable.
For those wondering whether World justifies its price tag $80 USD or $110 CAD let’s break down what it offers and how it stands out from its predecessors.
Performance and Presentation
First and foremost, World is a gorgeous game.
Nintendo wisely opts for a slightly more exaggerated and colourful art style that looks crisp and inviting on both a 4K TV and the Switch 2’s 1080p handheld screen. Textures are sharper, animations are more fluid, and effects like sparks, water splashes, and glows have noticeably more detail than before, though it’s not quite “next-gen jaw-dropping,” it’s still a joy to look at.
Perhaps most impressively, Mario Kart World maintains a rock-solid 60 frames per second, even in handheld mode or while racing through its fully interconnected world map. There are no loading screens as you move seamlessly from track to track or explore in free roam, which is a massive improvement over previous entries.
What’s New in Mario Kart World?
While the core mechanics remain familiar, drift for boosts, grab items, and dodge shells, World introduces some fresh ideas to keep the formula exciting.
A Free Roam Mode
The biggest addition is the free-roam mode, which lets you and your friends explore the interconnected world map outside of traditional races. Here you can:
- Complete challenges are scattered around the map.
- Discover hidden shortcuts, secrets, and collectibles.
- Simply cruise with friends and practice tricks.
It’s a small but meaningful change that gives the series a much-needed sense of exploration alongside its high-octane racing.
Knockout Tour
Perhaps the crown jewel of World’s new features is Knockout Tour, a thrilling elimination mode where 24 racers compete across a series of interconnected tracks. After each race, the lowest-placed racers are eliminated, whittling the field down until one champion remains.
With 24 players on screen and escalating tension as the pack thins, Knockout Tour is chaotic, strategic, and addictive, easily one of the best additions to the series in years.
New Tricks and Terrain
Momentum-based mechanics allow players to:
- Flip and drive on walls, opening up even wilder racing lines.
- Grind rails and powerlines like a karting Tony Hawk, chaining tricks for boosts.
These tricks add depth to the tracks and reward creative play without making things overly complex.
Racers, Outfits, and Characters
The roster now includes 24 racers, each with unique outfits that can be unlocked or earned. Fan favourites return, of course, Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, but new characters also join the fun. The costumes are a welcome touch, giving the cast more personality and letting players customize their look as they tear up the tracks.
How It Feels to Play
Put simply, it feels great. The controls are as tight and responsive as ever, the drifting remains satisfying, and the chaotic item battles still spark joyous screams in multiplayer.
If there’s one thing Nintendo understands, it’s feel, and Mario Kart World continues that tradition. The additions of wall-flipping and rail-grinding are natural extensions of the formula, never feeling gimmicky.
A Worthy New Lap
Mario Kart World might not revolutionize the series, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it refines what already works while adding enough new features to feel fresh.
The Knockout Tour is an instant classic. The free-roam mode adds depth. The visuals and performance meet the expectations of new hardware. And at its heart, World remains the definitive party racer, a game anyone can pick up and enjoy, whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time player.
