5 Things I Want To See From This Week’s Mario Kart World Direct

Following an impressive presentation at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, it’s been announced that “Mario Kart World” will have its own dedicated showcase on April 17th. We’ve got a good grasp of the game’s primary attraction (a connected open-world full of race tracks) as well as other elements such as its expansive character selection, rail-grinding and wall-riding mechanics, photo mode, and Knockout Tour mode. However, there are still some aspects of “Mario Kart World” that remain a bit mysterious at this point.

With the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th, we can expect an abundance of details about the upcoming game, Mario Kart World. I’m hopeful that after watching this upcoming presentation, viewers will have a comprehensive understanding of the game before making a purchase decision. Considering its price tag of $80, it’s a significant investment for a single title. In anticipation of this Mario Kart World Direct, scheduled to air later this week, I’ve compiled five key aspects I’d like to see revealed.

1. More Activities in the Open World

As a devoted fan, I’m excited about the unique feature of Mario Kart World, where each stage is seamlessly connected within one vast world. In Free Roam mode, we aren’t bound by the race tracks’ paths, allowing us to explore solo or with companions. It’s intriguing, but based on what Nintendo has revealed thus far, I have concerns about the depth of activities in Free Roam mode. Introducing Forza Horizon-style open-world activities would significantly enhance my experience in Free Roam, transforming it from a mere gimmick into an aspect that truly sets this game apart and elevates its open-world to game-defining status.

2. Mission Mode Returns

In an open-world setting, Nintendo has a fantastic chance to resurrect the Mission Mode. This mode offered engaging single-player challenges in Mario Kart DS, yet it hasn’t been revived since. Now that Nintendo is no longer bound by the constraints of an open world, they could reintroduce Mission Mode and utilize various areas of the open world for each challenge’s setting. There’s a degree of similarity with my request for more open-world activities in Mario Kart World, but it underscores my preference for substantial challenge content in the form of open-world missions within Mario Kart World.

3. What Does That Costume-Changing Mechanic Do?

Based on the sneak peeks of Mario Kart World, it appears that racers can gather food during competitions, which can then be used as an item to transform characters in some instances, but not always like with the Cow character. I’m looking forward to the Mario Kart World Direct for more information on this mechanic, as I suspect it goes beyond merely cosmetic changes for a handful of characters within its extensive roster. The concept of having multiple versions of the same racer, potentially tied to character-specific skills or stats, is intriguing to me.

4. Classic Tracks Make a Comeback

While I appreciate the open-world concept in Mario Kart World, I’m concerned that it might limit the inclusion of tracks from past Mario Kart games. The classic courses have always been a highlight for me across all Mario Kart titles, so their omission could leave a noticeable void. I believe Nintendo may attempt to integrate elements of retro tracks into the open world instead of fully recreating them, which seems like a partial solution. However, even a confirmation that these iconic courses will appear in some form during this game-focused Direct would suffice for me.

5. Free Post-Launch Support

Although I find the $80 cost of Mario Kart World a bit steep, there’s one aspect that could make me accept it: generous post-release support without any additional charges. For instance, Nintendo’s previous release, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, gained the Booster Course Pass as paid DLC. If Mario Kart World offers something similar, it ought to be free if the game retails at $80. Given that Mario Kart is one of Nintendo’s prime franchises for a live service model, I would welcome them adopting this approach with World. Granted, I don’t anticipate Nintendo lowering the game’s price, but providing some significant DLC and updates at no cost would help to offset it.

2025-04-15 04:09