Mario Kart World goes beyond being a typical sequel and honors the legacy of the series while taking bold steps into new territory.
Sure, the huge open world, dynamic weather, 24-player races, and new characters are exciting, but the true win here is that split-screen co-op is back and better than ever.
In a time when local multiplayer is nearly a thing of the past, Nintendo reminded us that Mario Kart is at its best when you're battling it out with friends on the couch.
While most of the gaming world has gone all-in on online play, Mario Kart World stands strong with local four-player split-screen in every mode. You can play Free Roam, the ambitious new open-world mode, on a split screen, just like the Grand Prix and Battle races.
Cruise side-by-side through lively cities, scenic hills, and coastal tracks, finding hidden shortcuts, secret items, and surprises with no countdown to race against.
The fact that you can roam this huge open world together in real-time, with no loading screens, brings back the magic in gaming that's harder to come by these days.
Mario Kart World's split-screen runs smoother and looks sharper, all thanks to the Nintendo Switch 2's improved hardware, even with dynamic weather and a full day-night cycle. Players can take things further by attaching their real faces to their karts using the optional Switch 2 camera accessory.
It's one of those goofy but fun Nintendo extras that turn each race into a party. Mario Kart World goes beyond split-screen brilliance with impressive upgrades all around. The tracks have merged into a continuous world, so you can race without the need for menus to take you out of the experience.
The new movement mechanics, such as rail-grinding, wall-jumping, and off-road shortcuts, turn every track into a lively playground, pushing racers to try out new strategies. Knockout Tour Mode eliminates players at each checkpoint, while the Grand Prix events continue to offer a reliable challenge for experienced racers.
Defensive items like shells follow the kart automatically without the need to hold a button, to make races run more smoothly and to prevent accidents. The iconic Feather item makes its return from the early days of Mario Kart, offering players a chance to dodge the infamous Blue Shell with a well-timed jump.
The changing items, dynamic weather impacting race conditions, and an expanded character roster (including penguins and Cataquacks) all work together to make each race feel more exciting, humorous, and full of surprises.
Even with all these upgrades, Mario Kart World knows that innovation only works when it honors the original foundation. That's why, among all the new modes, weather systems, and characters, the commitment to full-featured split-screen play is the most important upgrade of all.
It's a game about laughing, competing, teasing, and sometimes plotting full-blown betrayals from three feet away on the couch. That feeling is irreplaceable—and Mario Kart World knows it.