Alright, so listen, I’ve been diving into this whole Mario Kart World thing on the Nintendo Switch 2. If you’re one of those folks who rushed to grab the new system, maybe you’ve been tearing up those tracks like nobody’s business. But seriously, is your kart still blazing down the road, or have you just called it quits for a bit? Now that we’re settling in, let’s do some gear-grinding under that shiny hood. Or, maybe not gear-grinding… but you get what I mean.
First off, this is the first fresh Mario Kart in, like, forever — over a decade, y’know? World had big shoes to fill, no joke. With 24 karts and bikes to choose from and bunches of new racers, it’s a lot. But they’ve made the tracks wider to fit everyone, so you’re not just getting pelted by shells from a guy way back there.
Alright, I’ve played solo, online, multiplayer, whatever. Multiplayer’s something else—gets the adrenaline going. Playing online with my PN buddies was a blast. I even snagged a couple of wins, which, trust me, is a rare event. And the game chat? Hilarious, and right now, it’s free. The solo runs are where you’ll probably start, just to figure out which way’s up.
Bringing back old faves like Grand Prix and Time Trials is kinda comforting. Sure, no 200cc, but even 150cc makes you break a sweat. Then there’s the Knockout Tour, which everyone seems to love. Don’t even try relaxing here; it’s like running a marathon at a sprint pace. And check the settings, ‘cause something called “Smart Steering” is bizarrely turned on from the get-go.
So yeah, skipping Battle mode for now. It’s missing some gusto. Just Balloon Battle and Coin Runners for now, so folks might gripe — the map designs feel kinda familiar if you remember Mario Kart 8’s early days on the Wii U. Maybe too familiar. I’ve always loved Battle, hoping it gets some love and attention soon.
Oh, and hey, anyone find that little map widget thingy? Tucked away at the bottom of the main screen. It lets you roam around freely, like some kinda digital tourist. Was it hard to find, or did I just miss the memo? Feels like that should be a bigger deal since it’s a major feature or something. Knockout Tour might be getting more of the spotlight, though.
Now, Free Roam’s a thing people talked about right off the bat, and honestly, it’s a hoot. Kinda chillax if you ask me. Strolling—well, rolling—around, grabbing coins, and snapping pics. Wish I could jump outta the kart and wander on foot sometimes.
Free roam’s got these P Switch missions, and man, they’re tough! Like, headache tough. Testing your jumping skills and new bits like rail riding. But they leave me kinda cold — could use some updates to spice things up a bit.
What updates, you say? Maybe something to help keep track of missions. You rack up all these new costumes, and it feels like Mario Fashion Week. And those stickers? Meh. Feel like an afterthought. We need something more than stickers, Nintendo!
Big updates could be awesome. Like stretching those P Switch missions to classic tracks — might spice up the limited track list. The soundtrack’s killer, though, pure Mario magic! Imagine a radio feature or a playlist option for cruising? I’d be all over that.
About the tracks, I’m torn. They’re fun and feel massive, a real “World” feel, but kinda blend together, you know? Older tracks are back but reworked — sometimes it feels classic, other times, not so much.
Yeah, some reappearing tracks like Choco Mountain are neat, but do we need it over and over? Newer tracks like DK Spaceport— a neat nod to the OG arcade game though. Oh, and unlocking DK is a whole mission on its own. You gotta earn it, man.
So, Mario Kart World has a ton to offer for veterans and noobs alike — who’d have thought racing as a cow could be such a hoot? Might just be the game of the gen for some. I’m pumped to see where it rolls from here.
Weeks into racing, here’s my rundown: Mario Kart World looks stunning, sounds amazing—slick and sharp on the Switch 2. Worth that extra bundle? Sure. But standalone, at $79.99, kinda feels like it could use a bit more zing. Some free DLC should hopefully fill those gaps. It’s a ride you won’t wanna miss, crossing that finish line with pride.
Catch you on the tracks, folks.
