Mario Kart World is the most ambitious entry in the series yet, launching alongside Nintendo’s new hybrid console, the Switch 2. It introduces what feels like a pseudo-open-world Mario Kart experience, packed with new content including quests, dozens of locations, and various gameplay modes. Visually, it is one of Nintendo’s most technically impressive games to date, featuring high-quality character models and polished environments. In many ways, it showcases Nintendo at its best, bringing together a beloved cast of characters in a fresh and exciting format.
Mario Kart World offers two main ways to play: the traditional mode with classic-style courses and multiple gameplay types, and a brand-new free roam mode that lets players explore a large open map — a first for the franchise. Multiplayer has also been expanded, now supporting up to 24 players in a single race, which is a major leap from previous titles. The new tracks are not just remixed versions of old favorites; they are beautifully designed and full of detail, maintaining the familiar charm that fans of the series have come to expect.
Nintendo’s attempt at free-roam gameplay in Mario Kart World is admirable, though not without some missteps. The world is fun to explore, but it is not especially large and can be fully experienced rather quickly. Scattered across the map are various P-Switch challenges, which are simple but enjoyable. While they may feel repetitive to adults, my kids had a great time completing them. In a family setting or among friends, these challenges offer more structured fun than aimless exploration, making them a solid addition to the game’s more casual appeal.
When it comes to the game’s technical ambition, Mario Kart World is impressive compared to Nintendo’s past offerings. The game runs with HDR support on the Switch 2’s portable screen, displaying at a native 1080p resolution and holding a steady 60 FPS. The visuals are striking on the handheld display, and when I played it docked on a 4K OLED TV, I was honestly stunned by how beautiful the game looked. It holds up well at 4K resolution while maintaining smooth 60 FPS performance — a big improvement over Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which was limited to 1080p. That older version now feels like a thing of the past.
The traditional gameplay modes also return, so if you are looking for the classic Mario Kart experience, it is still here. This includes Grand Prix mode with various difficulty settings, letting you challenge AI racers according to your skill level. The usual options are present, from the easy 50cc up to 150cc difficulty. However, there is no 200cc mode available at launch, which might be added in a future update. I did not mind its absence because I found myself having more fun in Versus and Free Roam than in the standard races.
One thing I still feel is missing in Mario Kart World is a proper story mode. I was hoping for something similar to the hubs in Crash Team Racing, where each hub area leads to a boss fight. That feature made Crash Team Racing memorable for me, and I wish Nintendo had tried to put their twist on that system. Sadly, that is not the case here. While the Free Roam mode sounds promising, it does not offer the same sense of progression or challenge that a full story mode like Crash Team Racing’s adventure mode provided.
I really enjoyed the ability to customize karts and the tweaks to how vehicles handle in this sequel. While it arguably has less content than Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, if you count all the post-launch DLC that game received, there is still plenty here for a launch title. I spent nearly 30 hours playing and never felt like I had seen everything the game had to offer. Once again, the main appeal is multiplayer, and this is one of the rare games where you can still enjoy split-screen with family or friends — the only other recent example that comes to mind is Split Fiction.
The soundtrack in Mario Kart World is fantastic, filled with catchy new tracks and fresh arrangements of classic tunes. I appreciated how Nintendo managed to bring back some of the old music but gave it a modern twist. There is also plenty of fan service, with music pulled from other popular Nintendo franchises. The character roster feels well balanced, and there are even some surprising picks — like the cow — that feel unexpected but fun. While some fans might miss their favorite characters from other Nintendo games, I do not mind because the starting roster is already large. And with Nintendo’s strong track record of post-launch support, especially with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, there is no doubt that more content will be added over time.
Mario Kart World is a strong launch title that is packed with content. It serves as a showcase for the Nintendo Switch 2, making full use of the new hardware’s capabilities. If you plan on getting a Switch 2, picking up Mario Kart World is an easy choice — and when it comes to co-op gameplay, the game does not disappoint.
The lack of a story mode or the option to play specific music tracks is a bit of a letdown, but the multiplayer experience more than makes up for it. With its endless replay value, the game easily justifies its price and offers plenty of reasons to keep coming back for more.
Mario Kart World Game Information
- Price: $79.99
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
