Mario Kart World Direct: everything we learned

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Today, Nintendo showcased a 15-minute event highlighting their upcoming major game, Mario Kart World, which is set to be their flagship title for the Nintendo Switch 2. The console’s global release remains unchanged on June 5th, despite temporary delays in pre-orders in the United States and Canada. This recent presentation offered additional insights that were previously scarce from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and Treehouse live streams following the initial announcement. Among other things, it provided glimpses of tracks, confirmed certain characters, unveiled new power-ups, and more.

What we learned from the 15-minute Mario Kart World Direct

The presentation commenced by unveiling several courses. A revamped version of the iconic track, “Mario Bros. Circuit,” will lead players through canyons and other scenic locales. Among these destinations are bustling cityscapes such as “Crown City” and the waterways of “Salty Salty Speedway.” Additionally, players will navigate a haunted movie theater on “Boo Cinema,” scale the snow-covered slopes of “Starview Peak,” and explore numerous other locations. The presenter also verified that a number of “retro courses” will resurface, interspersed throughout the expansive world map. If you manage to conquer all Grand Prix events, there are whispers that a vibrant track known as “Rainbow Road” may appear. Suggesting a nod to the original Mario Kart game.

During the presentation, it was normal to see different characters driving, but there were moments when Goomba, Spike, Cow, Penguin, Pokey, Sidestepper, Cheep Cheep, Monty Mole, Pianta, Dry Bones, Stingby, Rocky Wrench, Chargin’ Chuck, and Conkdor were introduced as new playable characters. For the following fifteen minutes, we also got a glimpse of several other characters, which suggests that this could be just a small portion of the extensive character lineup unveiled today. Furthermore, it was announced that instead of customizing vehicles with wheels and frames, the statistics will now depend on the character and a pre-built kart.

As a gamer, I just laid eyes on six fresh additions to the game! Here’s what each one does:

1. The Coin Shell drops a line of coins as you zoom along, making them accessible for anyone playing.
2. The Ice Flower sends players spinning out and blankets them in snow and ice.
3. The Hammer, or the Hammer Bros’ signature weapon, is hurled ahead, sticking into the course for a brief time to mess with other players.
4. Use the Mega Mushroom to balloon up and squash opponents like a pancake!
5. The Feather lets you leap into the air, a handy move to dodge incoming items or find clever shortcuts.
6. And finally, there’s Kamek, an item that summons the wizard of the same name. In this particular clip, Kamek made everyone look alike for a while, which seemed pretty chaotic!

Outfits, Tricks, and New Modes

During your journey, you’ll discover numerous costumes that can be unlocked. Along the way, grab a food item as you go, and use it to swap to an outfit that matches the corresponding shoe item. For instance, Luigi adopts an Italian style after consuming a pizza. Once you’ve found one, you can select the costume from the character selection screen. The main characters have a diverse collection of outfits, but we didn’t get to see many for the newcomers such as Cow.

Nowadays, tricks are more complex than before. Instead of merely flipping the controller upon landing from a ramp or ledge, players can perform grinds on a straightaway to launch themselves into the air. This allows them to jump onto rails, walls, and even chain multiple tricks together to access new areas and shortcuts. The presentation also introduced a novel feature called Rewind. Players can rewind themselves to attempt a shortcut again; however, be aware that other racers will continue to progress while you rewind, so it doesn’t impact the entire race.

The much-anticipated Battle Mode is back in action, and it appears that custom tracks have been tailored for these combat scenarios. During the preview, characters were seen racing around a well-known battle mode track called Big Donut. Additionally, modes such as VS Race, Time Trials, and Team Races are making their comeback. In this game, up to 24 racers can participate, allowing them to divide into teams of 2, 3, or 4.

Free Roam and Multiplayer

As an enthusiastic player, I was thrilled to delve deeper into Free Roam, a game mode that allows us to roam freely through the vast world. In this expansive environment, there are tantalizing secrets waiting to be uncovered, hidden here and there for those with keen eyes. Additionally, P Switches will engage us in exciting challenges, while we’ll also encounter collectible coins and panels along our journey.

As an enthusiastic fan, I’m thrilled to share that Nintendo has disclosed the multiplayer specifics! In our living rooms, we can enjoy splitscreen fun with four friends huddled together on a single console. For even larger gatherings, as many as eight consoles can participate locally, each accommodating two players. And let’s not forget about the online experience, where up to 24 players can connect! When waiting for my buddies to hop in, I can cruise around the world and drop by their location once they’ve arrived.

To wrap up, this presentation verified some Game Chat attributes. Specifically, with the Nintendo Switch 2’s camera, players will see their own faces above their racers in a fashion reminiscent of Super Mario Party Jamboree. In offline gameplay, this camera is capable of detecting four distinct faces, implying that it’s not limited to online play only.

Fan Reception and Pre-Orders

As a passionate gamer, I’ve been eagerly waiting for some updates on the pricing of Mario Kart World, but sadly, Nintendo hasn’t shared any news yet. For now, it’s still set at $80, and let me tell you, the live chat was buzzing with fans expressing their discontent, repeatedly urging “Drop the price!” during the presentation.

On another note, I’ve also noticed that Nintendo hasn’t given any updates about pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the US and Canada, or any information regarding the potential impact of US tariffs on the console’s price. Despite the 90-day delay, there’s been silence from Nintendo on these matters.

It appears that Mario Kart World could be an exciting addition to the Mario Kart franchise. However, whether it will be worth $80 for some players or if they’ll opt for the Switch 2 digital bundle at a reduced cost remains to be seen. If stock doesn’t run out and the console is accessible in the US and Canada, it could significantly impact the situation. The Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World mark a new phase for Nintendo, and they seem ready to plunge forward, potentially leaving some players behind.

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2025-04-17 18:03