Mario Kart World Continues To Reveal Nintendo’s Biggest Weakness 8 Months After Launch

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I wasn’t a huge fan of Mario Kart World when it first came out, but I’ve come to appreciate it more over time. I still prefer the previous Mario Kart game, but I now recognize Mario Kart World‘s achievements and the new features it introduced. The game is massive and visually impressive – not quite worth buying a new Nintendo Switch for, but something I enjoy playing repeatedly. I’d hold off on a new console until Monolith Soft releases their next title, though.

I’ve been really into Mario Kart World lately, playing it constantly while watching D&D videos on YouTube. It’s been a surprisingly cheerful distraction when things feel tough. But with limited content, even beating the computer opponents started to feel repetitive. This led me to search for downloadable content for the game, and unfortunately, it reminded me of some frustrating things about Nintendo’s business model – things I really want to talk about.

The Lack Of Mario Kart World DLC Is Frustrating

I was pretty confident that Mario Kart World would get some downloadable content (DLC) soon after it came out, or at least that Nintendo would announce plans for it. The game broke sales records in Japan, becoming the fastest-selling Mario Kart title ever. Nintendo also released DLC for Donkey Kong Bananza just three months after launch, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A got DLC at the same time. While Pokémon Legends: Z-A was published by The Pokémon Company, Nintendo owns a significant share of it. The Mario Kart series itself has a history with DLC – Mario Kart 8 received two large waves of it, first on the Wii U and then again for the Switch version.

Fans have long hoped for downloadable content (DLC) for Mario Kart World, with many predicting additions centered around Donkey Kong, like new maps and characters. Unfortunately, Nintendo hasn’t released any DLC for the game, nor have they announced any plans to. I understand that creating DLC for a game this size takes time, and I don’t expect a huge amount of content quickly. Still, even a small hint about potential new maps, modes, or characters would be welcome, especially since Nintendo often delays DLC for their Mario Kart games, even when fans are eager for more.

Nintendo has started experimenting with downloadable content (DLC), as seen in recent games like Pokémon and Donkey Kong. While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the expansions for Xenoblade 2 and 3 felt like tests, Nintendo traditionally releases a game and doesn’t add to it later – which many fans find frustrating. The fact that people are upset about this shows just how much they love Nintendo’s games. I’m especially disappointed that Nintendo never adds new maps to its Mario Party games; even Jamboree hasn’t received any map updates, only minor new minigames.

This approach clearly benefits Nintendo. Instead of adding new levels to games like Mario Party, they can simply release a new game with those levels and charge a full $60. The same logic applies to Mario Kart World – why add more content when they could repackage it as a slightly updated version and potentially double their profits? While it’s still early, and Mario Kart World might eventually receive downloadable content, Nintendo hasn’t historically prioritized DLC, and I worry the game may never get the updates and new features it needs to be its best.

Nintendo’s DLC Problem Shouldn’t Affect The Switch 2

Not all games benefit from downloadable content (DLC), and some are actually stronger as complete, standalone stories. But for many Nintendo games, which are built for repeated playthroughs, DLC feels essential. While Nintendo’s added content is usually excellent, there often isn’t enough of it. This forces players to replay the same levels over and over until they get tired of the game and look for alternatives.

I used to think Nintendo could always get away with releasing new Mario Party and Kart games without really pushing themselves. When there wasn’t much competition, fans like me would just buy whatever they put out! But things have changed. LEGO Party actually feels better in a lot of ways, and Sonic Racing has been a huge hit. Seriously, Sonic Racing keeps getting tons of new content – characters from all sorts of games, not just SEGA’s – and it came out only three months after Mario Kart World! Nintendo really needs to step up their game now.

I worry Nintendo risks losing players to competitors if it doesn’t continue supporting its games after they launch. When other companies offer similar – or even better – experiences at a lower price with more content, it’s likely people will choose those options. While Nintendo has strong brand loyalty, history shows us even massive franchises like Call of Duty can quickly lose fans if they don’t consistently deliver value.

Nintendo May Be Playing The Long Game With Mario Kart World’s DLC

It seems Nintendo is starting to realize how valuable and profitable downloadable content (DLC) can be. From March 2022 to December 2025, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold 23.77 million copies after the release of its DLC – that’s a third of the game’s total sales in just over three years. Considering the game had already been out for five years by 2022 – when sales usually slow down – this is a significant number. While Nintendo hasn’t officially linked the DLC to the game’s continued success, it strongly appears the two are connected.

It makes sense for Nintendo to try and repeat the success of its previous Mario Kart DLC. They might be waiting for sales of Mario Kart World to slow down before releasing new content, similar to how they supported Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with DLC for five years to encourage more purchases. However, it’s also possible Nintendo doesn’t plan to release any DLC at all, leaving fans hoping for a change of heart.

The new Mario Kart World DLC has the potential to significantly enhance the game, and many of its possible features feel like they should have been included from the start. At this point, DLC feels essential for the game, and it’s a bit frustrating that Nintendo hasn’t announced anything yet. With the Switch 2 nearing its first anniversary, its exclusive game selection still feels limited, and Mario Kart World DLC would have been a great addition. It could also encourage more people to purchase the Switch 2, especially the bundle that includes the game. However, it looks like we’ll have to be patient. Hopefully, Nintendo won’t take another five years to deliver.

Wondering if Mario Kart World will receive downloadable content? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-17 21:14