Mario Kart World Levels Up with Version 1.3.0

Mario Kart World just got an update yesterday. Version 1.3.0 brought some solid changes that are not only exciting but also drawing folks back into the game. While many haven't even had time to properly check out the update, fans are already discussing what's next. 

We already know that a Mario Galaxy movie is in the works, and people think the update could be a tie-in to the movie. One of the biggest changes in this update involves the free-roam map. Now, it displays the locations of P switches you've activated and Peach Medallions you've collected. 

You can select a P switch from the map and instantly move to its location. This is a long-awaited improvement. It makes the game feel more organized and lets you revisit challenges you might have skipped. If a P switch was too tricky before, it now appears as a transparent icon, allowing you to go back and tackle it later.

Along with this, the map now includes a tracker for times, letting you compete against your previous records. Features that hint at what's missing or guide you toward the next objective would be good, but we can't complain much with this new update. That would make this system even more fun, but then again, you never want a game to hand-feed you.

Free Roam Received Changes as Well 

You can now transform into the character pulled into the UFO, and fighting UFOs has become much easier. UFOs were rare, making them difficult to find. Now, they appear more frequently, adding some much-needed freshness to an otherwise stale game. Using the UFO to unlock certain characters also makes collecting them less frustrating.

Gameplay adjustments were also part of the update. Item boxes now respawn faster, meaning you're less likely to miss out when trailing another player. Invincibility after spinning or crashing has been increased, so you can say goodbye to being slammed mid-race. And the force of jumps when landing on a rival from above has been reduced.

Another Change that's Sure to Spark Conversation  

That change is the increased frequency of lap-type courses in versus and wireless races. Fans were unhappy with earlier upgrades that cut down on the number of lap courses, but Nintendo has finally responded. 

From what I've seen, the frequency may still seem a little random, but generally it's nice. Lap-type courses add to the pleasure of the standard point-to-point intermission tracks. 

These updates are great, but something else stealing the spotlight is the chatter online about a possible Mario Galaxy movie tie-in. Some reports claim that Mario Kart World will get an update featuring skins for Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Bowser Jr., and Rosalina, complete with voice actors from the movie. 

Personally, this seems unlikely. There could be a Galaxy-themed update with new costumes or gameplay elements inspired by the movie; it's highly doubtful that movie voice actors will appear in the game.

Renewed Interest in Donkey Kong Content 

Following the Galaxy rumors, people are suggesting that if that's unlikely, maybe Donkey Kong updates are off the table, too. I don't see it that way. Donkey Kong content seems inevitable (Emerald Rush being a notable example); it's just a matter of timing. Currently, Donkey Kong and Pauline have limited costumes, and considering their importance in Bananas, it's clear that Nintendo has more planned for them.

Nintendo recently presented a 60-minute Nintendo Direct. Not everything can be showcased at once, so we assume that some content, like Donkey Kong additions to Mario Kart World, will be revealed later. 

I'd expect an expansion pass to be announced early next year, possibly during the February Nintendo Direct. Multiple waves of DLC could be released over time, each with its own unique theme.

Nintendo is Committed to Keeping Mario Kart World Fresh 

There's a lot to look forward to in this new update. From improved map features to gameplay tweaks and exciting future content, Mario Kart World is showing that it won't back down just yet, and just as conversation about Sonic overtaking Mario came about, Nintendo got serious. Moral of the story: gaming always wins when there's competition. 

Rumors about the Mario Galaxy movie update may be baloney, but the possibility of a larger expansion pass is exciting. Donkey Kong fans have plenty to look forward to as well. 

If you've been thinking about jumping back in, now is a perfect time. We'll finish with what we started, and that, my friend, is that Mario Kart World is revving up for an even bigger ride in the year ahead.