Nintendo is poised to make Mario Kart World an evergreen fun time for years to come, and the latest update might have fixed one of the game’s major issues: the intermission races.
In the latest Ver. 1.4.0 update, Nintendo overhauled a ton of the systems that will certainly help the game become more enjoyable. Among the many changes is the fact that intermission races are much more dynamic and just, you know, fun.
If you’re not familiar with intermission races, Mario Kart World introduced a seamless open world that players can explore at their leisure. As a result, certain modes, like Grand Prix, introduced intermission races, small tracks that connect each major track for a more seamless experience. At least that was the idea; in reality, these were so uninteresting that the vast majority of players hated playing them and constantly avoided them in online play.
Patch 1.4.0 added major changes to eight intermission tracks. Players immediately clocked the changes and showcased them on social media. Changes range from creating more dynamic layouts, such as those shown in the image below, to more interactive environments. So instead of a dull, straight line, players will get to retain that same sense of unpredictability in between major races.
Of course, they still look to be a step down from the fascinating layouts of proper Mario Kart race tracks, and the overall idea of these intermissions existing doesn’t jive with a big portion of the playerbase, who’d still much prefer a traditional Mario Kart experience, particularly in Grand Prix.
Beyond that, the update finally allows players to customize what items they want in their races. A shockingly absent option during the game’s release window. Sadly, there’s still no 200cc, which is likely being saved for the game’s first major DLC content drop, which will likely happen at some point in 2026.
In any case, it’s definitely a step in the right direction and one that’s made me redownload the game to give it another spin. Stick with us at Gfinityesports.com: your go-to source for all things Mario Kart.