The Switch 2 has made its debut on the gaming scene and, along with a number of upgraded or refurbished older titles, its singular, brand-new, release day game is Mario Kart World.
That makes perfect sense in some ways since the Switch predecessor is traditionally known as a predominantly family focused entry in the gaming console universe. And Mario Kart has been the preferred gather-the-crew racing game for some 30 years now. But what can gamers expect from this latest rendition after plunking down a sizable wad of cash for a new console and game?
Well, it’s safe to say that the word “familiar” is very applicable here. Mario Kart World has some new fun to offer, but it doesn’t, uh, reinvent the wheel. If you’ve played any recent Mario Karts you’ll feel very comfortable slipping into this one.
The driving mechanics and controls are as smooth as they’ve always been. And the goals are pretty much the same, too: Drive your favorite character and quirky little cart around cartoony courses while seeking out speed boosts and bombing your opponents with turtle shells, fireballs, boomerangs and the like. That’s Kart gaming 101 type stuff.
For those just trying this title for the first time, World offers gaming assists such as smart steering, auto acceleration and adjustable camera and tilt controls along with the new added assistance of an “auto use of items” button. So, for littles who simply want to get their mitts on a controller and wiggle a joystick, there’s a bit of help they can rely on.
For everyone else, the first thing you’ll likely notice is the game’s newly lushified graphics. It looks great with an open world full of colorful courses (some new and many familiar but upgraded) and sweet weather effects. And there are new features to enjoy. For instance, you can race online with up to 23 friends now (that’s a lot of Switch 2s). The crush of Mario racers adds a nice bopping and car spinning chaos to the mix.
Players can also explore the wide world of race tracks on their own in the Free Roam mode. This mode lets you start at any given track and then steer off the course, up walls, over large rooftops, up on the back of a fast-moving train and wherever your Princess Peachy heart desires.
The Knockout Tour mode is another new addition. It’s something of a seamless survival race that stretches from one edge of the world map to the other in one continual marathon. It slowly eliminates the competitors at the back of the pack until one champion crosses the finish line and dances in his or her kart with joy.
There’s also a new charge jump feature that lets racers speed over ramps and clear larger obstacles, and a rewind feature that allows a few seconds of reverse to correct mistakes made while your pedal is jammed to the metal.
Mario Kart World can be played online with multiple players. Or you can play offline in single-player and with up to three friends using connected joy con controllers.
There are 30 very colorful and fun racetracks to enjoy, and a connecting world to motor through and snap pictures of. Because of Switch 2’s improved processing power, old familiar stretches such as Moo Moo Meadows look newly sumptuous and moo-worthy (especially in the rain or snow).
There are scores of collectable stickers, coins and other items to gather for those who enjoy doing so. And new characters, outfits and prize cups are unlocked as you traverse the many (50cc, 100cc and 150cc) racetracks.
Some may not enjoy the repeated crashes and turtle shell pummeling they receive during races, highlighted by explosions and bursts of stars and the like. But frankly, that is a baked in part of this quirky racing game’s play.
Parents should also note that the Switch 2 includes a built-in mic and Game Chat feature that allows players to communicate with the many online racers they encounter. But you can mute or turn off that mic connection.
You won’t find something innovative and wow-worthy in the new Mario Kart World. But you will find a game that expands its familiar formula in fun and graphically pleasing ways
After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.
