Mario Kart World review: Hitting the road in style

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Enthusiasts of Nintendo games are famously unquenchable, and I can attest to that fact since I’m one myself. Even after a decade-long run with the most feature-rich version of Mario Kart, we’re still hungry for more: additional tracks, characters, and even more exciting chaos, whether it’s late-night competitions with friends or morning practice sessions before work. Given the emergence of the Switch 2, it’s only natural that we’re excited to witness how Mario Kart might develop alongside this new platform.

Step into the latest installment of Mario Kart World, offering everything fans have been eagerly anticipating and more! Of course, we’ll find our fill of courses, characters, and karts, but the standout feature is Free Roam: an open-world mode that seamlessly links everything together, revolutionizing the way we enjoy Mario Kart. Although it doesn’t redefine the genre altogether, it paves the way for thrilling new paths in the series’ future.

It’s All Connected

Following numerous years of playing “Mario Kart 8”, the game’s formula has become almost second nature. The latest installment, “World“, largely adheres to this core structure, but elevates it by offering smooth 60 fps performance and visual improvements that lend a sense of depth to both characters and surroundings.

The traditional game modes such as Grand Prix, Time Trial, and Battle are back, but with an exciting twist! Now, Grand Prix seems like an epic cross-country race where each track is interconnected by drivable roads and highways. After completing a course, you don’t just jump straight into the next one—you drive there, navigating through traffic and minor obstacles on the way. This subtle change gives the world a more expansive, lively, and cohesive feel.

These connecting sections typically feature straightforward views, and while they may not have the same panache as the destinations they connect, they are skillfully designed to provide a sense of cohesion. As you observe, you might notice details that hint at the unique characteristics of each course – such as ice cream cones near Sky High Sundae or zebras by Faraway Oasis – serving as enticing previews of what lies ahead.

After moving to the main event, the shift feels effortless—however, the competitions themselves are brief. At times, it’s only one circuit, and without a distinct starting line, you might not recognize where the track truly starts unless you pick up on the musical signal. It can be disheartening if it’s your inaugural race on this course, but the abbreviated races are rational considering the additional time spent traveling between them.

Even with shorter races, the Grand Prix event remains exhilarating. The combination of road sections and compact circuits embodies the excitement of exploration while strengthening the game’s interconnected environment. For those who prefer a complete three-lap experience, simply replay the course in modes outside of Grand Prix.

Racing to Win

The Knockout Tour introduces an innovative twist to its gameplay. In this mode, players compete against each other through elimination rounds spanning six interconnected tracks. You don’t race the entire track; instead, survival is the key, and that pulse-pounding excitement is what makes it enjoyable. It can be intense and occasionally frustrating, but winning in a close call feels immensely satisfying.

In their streamlined form, the fresh tracks are quite impressive, boasting a diverse mix of innovative originals and imaginatively remixed classics at launch (30 in total). Tracks such as Boo Cinema will surely bring a smile to your face while driving into an immersive spooky movie experience, whereas others might not resonate as deeply. Even the third version of Moo Moo Meadows showcases subtle alterations that make it feel refreshed. Deciding favorites may be subjective; however, Rainbow Road stands out with its stunning design and a brand-new, heartfelt theme song – arguably making it the best rendition yet. I challenge you not to be struck by a profound sense of wonder the first time you journey through it.

In the latest version of the game world, you’ll discover an innovative skill: the ability to perform tricks similar to skateboarding on rails and even race on walls. This skill grants you a speed boost, but mastering it requires practice to find the right spots and timing. However, it offers unique shortcuts and enhances your racing experience. A notable change is that water now serves as a track surface instead of a place to swim, as seen in previous games. This alteration transforms your kart into a jet ski! Diving into the water for a flip before resurfacing remains exciting each time.

PROS:

  1. A world featuring interconnected courses that make the game feel big, alive, and full of wonder;
  2. free Roam mode offers a nice departure from the usual racing while offering collectibles to find;
  3. its massive soundtrack features amazing remixes of Nintendo classics;
  4. new costumes give characters personality and added charm.

CONS:

  1. Playing through shorter version of some of the best tracks in the game feels wrong;
  2. no way to conveniently track collectibles;
  3. free Roam isn’t playable with friends besides during online lobbies.

A World to Discover

As a fanatic, I’m thrilled about the new addition in the world – the Free Roam mode! This isn’t your typical open-world racing game like Forza Horizon, but it sure feels like a well-knit sandbox that binds everything harmoniously together. The roads flow seamlessly between regions, and the narrative unfolds through the stunning visual storytelling embedded in the environment. From bustling construction zones to lively towns brimming with Toads and KoopaTroopas, every corner of this expansive, interconnected overworld is a treat to explore!

The world seems a bit less crowded, yet it makes up for it with grandeur and intricacy. Unlike previous instances where Lakitu swiftly sends you back on course, here you’re invited to deviate and explore. It felt like playing Mario Kart 64 and delving into Peach’s Castle in Royale Raceway. There was nothing significant there before, but this time—there are numerous thoughtful details to discover.

As a gamer, I come across various items scattered throughout the map that add an extra layer of excitement to my journey. There are P Blocks that initiate timed challenges and races, hidden Peach coins tucked away in tricky spots, and question mark panels that reveal secrets. These mini-goals offer rewarding stickers and can eventually unlock Mirror Mode, providing a refreshing change between races. They might not drastically alter the game, but they certainly make the world more enticing to explore.

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t provide a reliable method for tracing your collectibles. The map will only show how many panels you’ve revealed in each level, but finding all the P Blocks will require you to explore on your own – even if they’ve already been discovered. This can be quite annoying if you’re a completionist, especially without a good memory or a guide to assist you. A map or checklist would have greatly enhanced this mode by making it more enjoyable rather than tedious.

Costumes, Collectibles, and Customization

Discovering new places isn’t only about collecting stickers; visiting diners like Yoshi’s can reward you with exclusive food items that allow you to change the costumes of characters such as Mario, Peach, and Bowser. Each costume adds a unique charm to the character and provides an exciting way to personalize your racing experience. It was cleverly thought out to give each Yoshi color its own charming costume, and Wario in his Oasis Sultan outfit is simply amazing!

Although individual kart components can no longer be tailored, you’re still able to acquire numerous new vehicles, each with unique attributes. Regarding new characters, several are obtained via random mechanics linked to Kamek’s transformation item. Being struck by this item could unveil Dolphin, Dry Bones, or Peepa—provided the AI collaborates and attacks you with it. However, once unlocked, these characters don’t offer the same level of customization as the main cast, which seems a bit disappointing given that we could have had Goombario, but instead, we’re left with a regular Goomba to choose from.

A Soundtrack That Hits Every Note

In the game titled “World“, the soundtrack is incredibly expansive, comparable to the extensive collection of iconic melodies found in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The soundtrack boasts remixed tunes from earlier versions of Mario Kart and lesser-known tracks from various other Nintendo games, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the company’s rich musical legacy. Tracks like a jazzy rendition of “Mario Galaxy“, a ska adaptation of the athletic tune from “Super Mario Bros. 3“, and a soulful reimagining of the Vanilla Lake theme from the SNES – each one is lively, nostalgic, and perfectly complements the overall feel.

In the game, these tunes are played during the free roam and traveling periods, enhancing the feel of a road trip. While a personalized radio feature would have been great, considering the game’s powerful soundtrack, at present, the music remains one of the game’s standout features.

Online Highs and Lows

In portable mode or on larger screens, the gameplay flows seamlessly, allowing for fun with up to 23 other players. The unpredictable nature of the game, reminiscent of chaos, is endearing, even if the distribution of items isn’t always optimal in Mario Kart. Despite this, you’ll still experience those thrilling moments when, leading comfortably in first place, a blue shell catches you off guard and changes your day around.

In simpler terms, when you play online, you often don’t get much choice in the tracks you race on. You’re usually given a set of predefined “tours” with three courses and one random selection, which can lead to driving towards a course and only hearing a small part of the actual track. It’s rare to find a full three-lap course for a more traditional racing experience. So, if you prefer a classic online race, you’ll have to keep selecting random tracks or hope that your chosen one is among the options available. However, it’s important to note that the journey to the track can still be thrilling, but having the option to choose a three-lap course would make for a better balance.

Additionally unfortunate: The Knockout Tour game doesn’t allow for online play with friends unless all 24 spots are filled. This means that if there are only two of you, the remaining spaces will be occupied by computers. The Free Roam multiplayer function serves as a waiting area until the next stage begins, and during this time, you can’t fully explore the world together. Furthermore, you can’t complete P Block challenges together, although you can assist each other in gathering items, provided that you manage to collect them before the next race starts.

Final Thoughts

Mario Kart World isn’t something completely new – it keeps the delightful chaos of kart racing that we’ve grown fond of, but with a fresh look and an open-world structure to connect everything. The Free Roam feature doesn’t revolutionize the series or is as complex as it initially appeared, but it provides a refreshing break and a new perspective to explore the world where Mario and his friends race.

The open-world structure underpins the entire game, showcasing its intricate connections and making it appear larger than life. The routes to each level function like race tracks, though they don’t always lead to victory, but the excitement of dodging a red shell remains due to the enduring strength of the series’ core mechanics.

The game Mario Kart World ushers in the era of Switch 2 with panache and ambition. With further updates expected, World already stands as a tribute to what makes the series exceptional, while offering a hint of where it could be heading in the future.

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2025-06-18 13:03