In an unexpected move for Nintendo, the phenomenal success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch created a challenge. As it stood as the ultimate Mario Kart experience, releasing another traditional sequel might have felt underwhelming. Fortunately, the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 coincides with Mario Kart World, offering a fresh take to keep players engaged. During a hands-on session with the game, ComicBook discovered that it retains all the familiar elements from the series, making it instantly recognizable for anyone who’s played Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However, there are also numerous new features, such as an unprecedented level of freedom that surpasses initial expectations.
In the new game Mario Kart World, the appeal lies in its innovative feature: for the first time in a Mario Kart title, players can traverse an interconnected world made up of diverse tracks. This gives off a vibe similar to Microsoft’s Forza Horizon series, as you can cruise around and enjoy the scenery. Want to take a look at Peach’s Castle from afar? Now you can! Or perhaps explore a ranch covered in cows instead. During my playtime, I found that the free-roam mode provided ample opportunities for exploration. Unexpectedly, when my Kart went over a steep area, I didn’t get lifted by Lakitu as I expected; instead, I ended up in a different part of the map and kept moving forward.
Regrettably, we didn’t have the opportunity to thoroughly explore the game’s world to determine if it’s genuinely open-world or if it consists of large, distinct areas like in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Our exploration was primarily during breaks between races in Mario Kart World’s new Knockout Tour. Once Nintendo representatives gathered 24 players, we’d participate in the races. The Knockout Tour concept is straightforward: as players miss goals during a Rally, the number of competitors decreases. Initially, players must be among the Top 20, but this requirement gradually shrinks until only the Top 4 are left battling each other.
Essentially, Mario Kart games are usually quite exciting, but Knockout Tour amps up the intensity significantly. In this mode, a whopping 24 racers go head-to-head, and even a small error can easily push you down in the rankings. Power-ups are still available to assist, and it seems that the most effective ones are saved for drivers at the back of the pack. The twist here is that there’s less time to bounce back because there’s only one lap instead of multiple ones to help regain the lead. In summary, Knockout Tour feels larger, more hectic, and harder than any previous Mario Kart game has been. However, the game also provides a traditional Mario Kart mode that follows the standard 3-lap structure.
The main focus during the hands-on session for Mario Kart World was indeed novelty, and this freshness extended even to the playable characters. As expected, veterans like Mario and Donkey Kong made an appearance, but the game introduces some exciting newcomers as well. The most striking addition is a character named “Cow”, reminiscent of the cows from the Moo Moo Farm course in Mario Kart 64. Additionally, the game borrows elements from its mobile counterpart, Mario Kart Tour, by allowing players to choose racers with different outfits. For instance, Toad dons a burger hat, while Koopa Troopa sports a baseball hat and sunglasses. Remarkably, one of the new power-ups appears to alter these costumes, offering players alternative attires or even stripping them entirely.
In the demo of Mario Kart World, many racers from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe returned, but some notable absences were noticed, such as Link, Isabelle, and the Inklings. It remains undecided if these characters will reappear in the game or if Nintendo is focusing solely on the Mario clan for
Speaking of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which debuted on Wii U in 2014 and continues to astound with its graphics, it’s noticeable that Mario Kart World doesn’t present a significant visual upgrade compared to its predecessor. However, it appears to be skillfully leveraging the enhanced capabilities of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
For instance, the tracks in Mario Kart World appear more defined, particularly when contrasted with those in the DLC of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Moreover, during several playtests, the game ran smoothly not only during races but also while players freely explored the game environment. The overall experience seemed fluid, and it appeared as if there was more activity on-screen than in previous games. While it may not be the flagship display of the new hardware, it’s challenging to imagine Nintendo managing this level of performance on the current Switch.
Thus far, the upcoming game Mario Kart World appears both comfortably familiar and strikingly innovative. Over the years, the Mario Kart series has undergone significant transformation since its Super Nintendo days, yet this Nintendo Switch 2 release seems to mark the most substantial progression the franchise has experienced. The developers have managed to expand the Mario Kart experience to make it larger, swifter, and more awe-inspiring than ever before – an incredible achievement considering the high bar set by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Given the considerable gap between new installments in the Mario Kart series, it appears that the wait will have been worthwhile. We’ll be able to confirm this when Mario Kart World debuts together with Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th.
Read More
- Solo Leveling Season 3: What You NEED to Know!
- AUCTION PREDICTION. AUCTION cryptocurrency
- Owen Cooper Lands Major Role in Wuthering Heights – What’s Next for the Young Star?
- Pokémon Destined Rivals: Release date, pre-order and what to expect
- `Tokyo Revengers Season 4 Release Date Speculation`
- Pregnant Woman’s Dish Soap Craving Blows Up on TikTok!
- How to Install & Use All New Mods in Schedule 1
- XRP CAD PREDICTION. XRP cryptocurrency
- Disney Cuts Rachel Zegler’s Screentime Amid Snow White Backlash: What’s Going On?
- Is Disney Faking Snow White Success with Orchestrated Reviews?
2025-04-03 16:12