Mario Kart World Review

Mario Kart World marks Nintendo's boldest reimagining of the iconic kart-racing series since its inception in 1992. Being the flagship launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, expectations have been sky-high, especially following the long-standing dominance of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. 

Riding the momentum of a decade-long gap between major installments, Mario Kart World attempts to redefine kart racing by merging open-world exploration, high-speed chaos, and competitive endurance into one massive experience. Developed with the power of the new Switch 2 hardware in mind, this isn't merely a sequel. It's a leap into uncharted territory.

Although it can be said that Mario Kart World remains faithful to its arcade roots, it's pretty evident that Nintendo is set out to evolve the series into something grander and more multifaceted.

That way, it becomes explainable that with features like a fully explorable open world, knockout-style elimination races, enhanced environmental interactivity, and dynamic weather conditions, the game strives to deliver more than just racing thrills. But does Mario Kart World live up to its legacy and justify its premium price? That's where the conversation gets complex.

Unlike previous entries in the series, which have stuck to straightforward racing tournaments, Mario Kart World dares to introduce a light narrative framework built around exploration, discovery, and progression. There isn't a standard plot or main bad guy in this game. Instead, the story is told through the things you do while playing. The huge open-world map is like a living, breathing character; it's full of quests, tasks, secrets, and famous places in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Players explore famous Super Mario locations rebuilt with next-gen polish as they move through connected worlds like Crown City and Moo Moo Meadows. The story supports exploration, character interaction, and customization subtly, making each racer's journey feel unique.

You can make up your own racing story in Mario Kart World by using hidden goals, time trials, drive-thru challenges, and secret vehicle hijacks. The story is told quickly, with a plan, and through the surprise of finding something new.

Mario Kart World is very different from the series' usual straight gameplay. It has three main game modes: Grand Prix, Free Roam, and Knockout Tour. The classic Grand Prix is still there, but there is a new twist: racers now navigate linked tracks within a biome.

This is a mix of open exploration and traditional circuit racing. Each race flows into the next through long traversal sections, making a marathon of drifting, boosting, and gathering.

You can do almost 400 tasks in the open-world Free Roam mode, such as hitting P-Switches and looking for Peach Coins and question blocks. It lets you drive slowly over a variety of surfaces, including steep ramps, secret passageways, and obstacles that move around you.

Jumping, wall-riding, and rail-grinding elevate traversal, demanding skill and timing. This gives an almost Tony Hawk-esque flair to exploration, especially when executing tricks off shockwaves or dynamic water wakes.

Stickers are earned by completing challenges, such as driving a certain distance, collecting specific items, and performing tricks, rewarding completionists with visual flair and prideful displays on their karts. Character and outfit unlocks are hidden in drive-thru food pickups scattered across courses, adding a light RPG flavor to what has historically been a pure arcade experience.

With its knockout events and improved item use, Mario Kart World adds new levels of fun to the game. The Knockout Tour is a Battle Royale-style race with 24 drivers. At checkpoints, the drivers with the worst scores are removed. It's a tense mode that tests both your driving skills and your ability to place things strategically.

Classic items like red shells, bananas, and mushrooms return, but new ones like the coin shell, hammer, and weather-inducing lightning bring fresh unpredictability. The feather item, making a return after years of absence, allows racers to instantly jump for evasive maneuvers or shortcut exploits.

While not a puzzle game in the traditional sense, Free Roam mode introduces platformer-style challenges that echo puzzle mechanics. Missions like timed aerial gates, wall-drive courses, or dodging obstacles stretch beyond racing to become reflex-based mini-puzzles scattered throughout the world.

The puzzle-adjacent mechanics in Free Roam are charming but occasionally feel shallow. The tasks are fun, but they don't give any real benefits. At first, P-Switch quests and Peach Coin hunts are fun, but some players might not find it fun to collect stickers. Also, Knockout mode adds variety, but some players may find its repeated layout and harsh eliminations annoying.

Still, the expanded item system refines combat. Strategic item use, especially in larger 24-player races, is more nuanced than ever. The ability to avoid a blue shell with a well-timed mushroom now introduces high-skill counterplay. However, some items feel underwhelming or overly gimmicky—such as the new hammers—which can break the flow.

Mario Kart World doesn't employ traditional XP or level-up systems but relies heavily on a progression system tied to exploration and race milestones. Every drift, boost, item hit, and collected coin contributes to unlocking characters, vehicles, costumes, and cosmetic stickers.

There's no numerical XP bar, but progression is tracked through in-game stats and achievements. When certain life goals are met, like performing tricks or collecting coins, unlockables are unlocked. This makes every game session feel like a reward. People who spend a lot of time on Free Roam and knockout races will eventually have a huge collection of characters and changes.

It doesn't use grindy mechanics and instead lets players move naturally, but some players may find the pace too slow, especially if they want to get unlocks quickly. For those who are willing to take the trip, Mario Kart World has hundreds of hours of content that can be played again and again without strict XP systems.

Visually, Mario Kart World is a double leap forward, thanks to the Nintendo Switch 2's upgraded hardware. The game runs at 1440p at 60FPS in TV mode and gracefully scales down to 30 fps in a four-player split-screen. The art direction leans even further into cartoonish stylization, blending clean textures with expressive animations.

Environments are lush and vibrant. From the golden sunsets of Cheep Cheep Falls to the snowy chaos of Ice Rally and the tech-noir glow of DK Spaceport, every location feels thoughtfully crafted. Even smaller visual flourishes—like dynamic lighting shifts from day to night or real-time reflections on water—add depth to each race.

Character animation is a standout. Each racer has their own attitude and reacts differently during the race. For example, King Boo laughs after a shell hits him, and Daisy gives an opponent a sneaky look as they pass. The level of expressiveness reminds me of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which is a sign that Mario games are moving in a more animated and colorful direction.

The sound design in Mario Kart World makes each race even more crazy and silly. The sound is composed of both remade old songs and brand-new ones. With a country-jazz twist, songs like "Tick-Tock Clock" and "Dire Dire Rocks" are made new again, combining old and new. These changes, which were influenced by Mario Paint and Super Mario Sunshine, make for a fun trip through sound.

Item sound effects have been tweaked for clarity and punch. The mushroom boost swoosh, the clank of a Coin Shell, and the thunderous roar of a lightning storm-triggered downpour all add depth. Audio cues during Knockout races escalate tension—especially as racers get eliminated, and crowds cheer or groan. Voiceovers are minimal but are used effectively to convey excitement and action.

In Free Roam mode, the sound mix is less tense. Soft instrumental themes set a calm mood that encourages discovery. It works well as a comparison to the main modes' high energy and adds a range of emotions to the soundscape as a whole.

Mario Kart World sets high goals and brings the game into a new era. Adding open-world aspects, letting up to 24 players, and adding more racing mechanics is a big step forward. Mario Kart World tries new things and doesn't always get them right.

For example, the open-world missions aren't very good, and there isn't any split-screen Free Roam. But overall, the game reinvents the core experience without losing its character.

Adding 24 more racers makes things more chaotic and competitive, making times more exciting and unpredictable. Knockout Tour stands out because it is the most exciting mode in Mario Kart history. Free Roam, on the other hand, isn't used much but is a nice break and shows promise for future additions.

Mario Kart World's graphics are stunning, with smooth animations, expressive figures, and a wide range of biomes. The audio design, combining both old and new elements, makes the experience engaging and immersive.

Mario Kart World is a great addition to the series; although it had some issues at launch (no 200cc mode), some content was reused or missing, and the $80 price point raised eyebrows. It strikes a good balance between old and new, all while showing off the Nintendo Switch 2's strengths. The game is both fun and challenging, and fans will continue to come back to race either alone or with a friend online.