When Mario Kart World was first revealed for Switch 2, fans wondered how this sequel could outdo the success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. That game was already packed with content when it launched, and it got even more DLC a few years later, adding more life to this kart racer.
Based on everything we’ve seen from the Switch 2 Direct and Nintendo Treehouse presentation, the answer to outdo 8 Deluxe was to copy Forza Horizon. That sounds like an odd answer on paper, but Nintendo made it work, and now we can’t wait to get our hands on this huge racer.
Seeing it in action, the free-roaming mode of Mario Kart World is pretty charming. It was revealed that the tracks in this racer are all interconnected, so fans can drive from one crazy area to the next. It should make for some fascinating discoveries, and we can’t wait to see what players discover as they drive around this open world.
Going through the open world can also lead to players discovering shortcuts for tracks, letting them gain advantages in the Grand Prix. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as using shortcuts to win a race, especially against other seasoned players or the more difficult AI levels. Fans can use this to prepare for future opponents or maybe even take a break from all the racing.
Mario Kart World’s free-roaming mode will also support multiplayer, which should lead to plenty of shenanigans. We saw that this mode will also keep the battle items from the main game, so expect players to blast each other. It will be interesting to see if this mode will have its own set of challenges for players to take part in, which would add more replayability to the game.
It might not have the extensive car lineup from the Xbox racing series, but Mario Kart World makes up for that with a huge roster. Gamers were already happy seeing familiar favorites in 4K, but their minds were blown when the cow from Moo Moo Meadows was revealed as playable. If that doesn’t make this game better than Forza, I don't know what does.
Forza Horizon always entertained Xbox players with its sleek controls and beautiful car models, something this new Mario Kart also has in spades. From what we've seen, there’s a lot to like, which will only expand once the Direct for this game emerges. Luckily, this is going to be a launch game when the Switch 2 comes out, so fans will be able to check this out right away.
Mario Kart World is coming to Switch 2 on June 5. Fans can also pick up a bundle that includes the system and the game. Gamers who want to try getting a Switch 2 can do so with this link.