After nearly a decade in development, Mario Kart World has finally arrived. And despite the early years of that development holding the intention of it being an OG Switch title, Nintendo wisely realised that only the power of the new Switch 2 could handle such a franchise reinvention—and this is easily the wildest reinvention of the series to date. With its open-world design, 24-player support, and the sheer breadth of its racing modes, this isn't just a new entry: it's a total rewrite of what Mario Kart can be.
At first glance, it may look familiar. The cast list is a staggering 50 characters deep, each lovingly rendered in HD, with 24 of them sporting alternate outfits unlocked via race snacks. It's silly, it's stylish, and it taps directly into the Mario franchise's most chaotic energy. The remaining characters? They show up as obstacles, hazards, or just good old-fashioned chaos agents in various corners of the world map. Yes, map: not menu. This time, you drive to the races.
The open-world format is an ambitious shift. Grand Prix mode is now a fluid journey, not a set of four isolated tracks. You can cruise from one course to the next, navigating wild terrain, entering hidden paths, even taking shortcuts via gliders, rails, or water routes. Between cups, you might be drifting around Delfino Island or freewheeling across a neon-lit Bowser City as day turns to night in real time. This connected overworld doesn't just look gorgeous—it makes the game feel alive.
One of the standout additions is Knockout Tour, a brutal 24-player endurance race that stretches across the entire map with elimination checkpoints. Four racers drop out at each stage, and the tension ramps up to hilarious, heartbreaking levels by the final stretch. It's competitive, cruel, and addictive in the best way.
Multiplayer support is a real headline feature here. Whether you're playing online or locally, the jump from 12 to 24 players transforms races into carnivals of chaos. The Switch 2 handles the action impressively well, too—no noticeable slowdowns even during explosive pileups on 4K displays.
Old favourites return, reimagined. Classic tracks like Rainbow Road and Coconut Mall have been overhauled to support the new structure. They feel both nostalgic and brand new, layered with verticality and environmental storytelling that reward exploration. Meanwhile, modes like Battle (Balloon Battle and Coin Runners), Mirror Mode, and Time Trials all make their return, feeling more substantial than ever thanks to the expanded mechanics.
Free Roam mode deserves special praise. It strips away the pressure and turns Mario Kart into a playground. You can collect coins, chase down NPCs, snap photos, or just drift around aimlessly. It's Mario Kart as a travelogue, and the Switch 2's upgraded visuals and fluid frame rate make it an absolute joy.
Is it perfect? Honestly? Without wishing to sound overly hyperbolic, yeah, pretty much so. And I appreciate this comes just 48 hours into game play, I'm aware of the law of diminishing returns, but the only critique I could suggest at this point is that the sheer scale of the map might overwhelm casual players at first. (No one's complained about size before, have they?) Simply, there's no denying the ambition and heart at play here. The core loop of chaotic fun is untouched, just expanded, enriched and refined to near perfection.
In short, Mario Kart World is a triumph. It honours the series' legacy while confidently veering into uncharted territory. This isn’t just a victory lap—it's a brand-new race, and it’s worth every lap.
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