Welcome to the 9th instalment of the Mario Kart series. Mario Kart World is Nintendo’s flagship launch title for the Switch 2, with some new features alongside old favourites. How does it compare to previous games, and is it worthy of a place in the gaming pantheon?
There are only so many ways to reinvent the wheel, but Mario Kart World does manage to feel quite distinguished from its predecessor. With 24 racers (doubling that previous roster), including 24 racers in online play, a dazzling array of characters and karts (with some characters having multiple versions), and new ways to race, this game certainly offers some bold interpretations of the Mario Kart formula. The question is, do these elements work?
Grand Prix
The bread and butter of Mario Kart returns, and with more racers it’s more frenetic than ever before. It’s standard stuff, be it online or otherwise, but it remains a classic staple of Mario Kart, and there are new twists. You now race between tracks, finishing up with a lap of the next course. There are also new items, such as a question block to give you coins (pretty useless in most cases), and a Kamek magic attack that transforms your player, and creates enemies as obstacles.
Most tracks now feature the opportunity to pipe grind, and even drive along the walls, with the chance to perform speed-boosting tricks and jumps. I have not mastered these skills, least of all in online races!
As with prior games, beating the courses in single player unlocks additional cups, and you’ll eventually unlock the always-formidable Rainbow Road track.
One noticeable feature of Grand Prix mode is that a lot of the tracks are retooled versions of old ones, which is certainly nostalgic, and yet the courses don’t feel old. They are sometimes blended with new sections, and some tracks are completely new. There’s plenty to appeal to new and old fans of the series alike.
Knockout Tour
Arguably the biggest new feature to Mario Kart World is Knockout Tour. This mode departs from the traditional three-lap race around a circuit, and sees players take on a rally tour across the game world, with the final four getting knocked out at certain checkpoints. You can play this mode either against the computer, or against human players, and when playing online it is especially frantic. The energy and chaos of Mario Kart is there, but in a new way, and I dare say, a very enjoyable way. There’s something very satisfying about squeaking through to the next stage, clinging to a position that sees you progress, and competing until the very end. I have won a couple of Tours, and had a couple of 2nd places (my daughter was distraught on my behalf when victory was snatched from me on the line), and a few more miserable performances!
Knockout Tour works precisely because there are now 24 players. it’s hard to imagine it working with a smaller roster.
Time Trial
Another classic staple of Mario Kart, this is where speed and skill truly come to the fore. Whereas the Grand Prix and Knockout Tour modes can be heavily influenced by luck and timing of items, Time Trial is purely about figuring out the quickest way to lap a circuit. Everyone goes into Time Trial with exactly the same opportunity, and it separates the talented from the average. In case you are wondering, I am purely average.
Battle Mode
This is my least-preferred form of play. It’s alright, but Battle Mode doesn’t hold a lot of appeal for me. The courses are certainly creative, and they look gorgeous, but the insanity of items being hurled everywhere by everyone in Battle Mode just doesn’t do it for me (whereas the insanity of it in Grand Prix and Knockout Tour is fine).
Free Roam
Another new feature of Mario Kart World is the option to explore a vast open world. You can ride up to any track, and go completely off-road in search of secrets. There are P-switch challenges, Peach Coins, and some other discoveries to be had. What is slightly disappointing is that there’s no online Free Roam, except when in a pre-game lobby. It’s kinda nice to take a meandering cruise across the map, and the nerd in me soon started following the railway lines. Yeah, I’m a geek, sue me.
The Graphics
Mario Kart World is visually quite stunning. The racers and courses are beautifully crafted, with Nintendo’s typical attention to detail. Whilst it could be argued that Free Roam is a little bland, that’s not the case from a graphical perspective. There are many distinct landscapes, and the courses themselves have lots of nice touches.
The Music
One of the best things about Mario Kart World is the soundtrack. Nintendo have remixed old tunes from various past games, providing some rather glorious music. The tunes are a combination of energetic and soothing, and as you travel across the courses during races, they change accordingly. It really is quite amazing.
Is it any good?
Well, here is the crunch question. This is all subjective, as any review tends to be. Sometimes the impression of a game’s quality depends entirely on whatever is happening on the game at that specific moment. When I am winning, I am far more inclined to sing Mario Kart World’s praises, and when I am losing, I am less eager to exult it. Still, overall (and bearing in mind it’s not even been two weeks yet) I am enjoying my experience. Mario Kart World stacks up nicely against it’s immediate predecessor, and against other previous entries. I’m going to stick my neck out, and grant Mario Kart World a solid 8/10.