Mario Kart World Review

Kai Taylor
6 minutes ago
7 min read

Genre: Kart Racing

Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer

Developer: Nintendo EPD

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: June 5th 2025

Available On: Nintendo Switch 2

Price: $119

If you disregard spin-offs and mobile-exclusive games, Mario Kart World is the first brand-new Mario Kart game since Mario Kart 8 in 2014. After over a decade, the series is officially back with Mario Kart World, a launch exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2. Since the game's release, I have poured over 13 hours into it, playing through the Grand Prix and new modes and participating in numerous online matches. Initially, I was sceptical if the game could surpass the near-perfect kart racer that was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However, I am certain that Mario Kart World is not only one of the best kart racers I have ever played, but I love it equally as much as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Mario Kart World is not better than Deluxe; they are both exceptional kart racers for different reasons.

BORN TO BE WILD

The Nintendo Switch 2 has given the console the much-needed facelift in terms of graphical and visual fidelity. Mario Kart World is the current poster child for the beautiful visuals that Nintendo Switch 2 is capable of. The art style is instantly recognisable as having that signature Nintendo charm, yet every character model has a slight redesign. The faces and body proportions of the characters have a distinct look; Mario appears shorter and slightly wider, and Bowser now has an impressive slicked-back hairstyle. The most controversial redesign is Donkey Kong, which now resembles Nintendo's original design from the 1980s rather than the more famous 1990s Rare model of Donkey Kong Country. I love all the new character designs, including Donkey Kong.

Mario Kart World gameplay in free-roam mode featuring Mario about to complete a P Mission

Along with Mario Kart World's brilliant new character models are the absolutely stunning visuals and environments. Every single stage is a work of art, and when played in 4K docked mode, the game becomes one of the most visually impressive and detailed games Nintendo has ever created. From the realistic tarmac to the high cliffs and the detailed sky to the changing weather, every track feels unique in Mario Kart World. Not to mention that you can drive on the tracks and highways at different times of day, which brings on various weather effects, such as rain and thunder. Nintendo has gone above and beyond with the visuals of Mario Kart World.

HIGHWAY STAR

There are a number of modes in Mario Kart World; some of them players will know already, and some are brand-new to the series. The first mode we have is Grand Prix, the staple of every Mario Kart game. Grand Prix mode consists of four tracks, and you race to the finish, aiming to secure 1st place. Whatever position you come in, you score a number of points. At the end of the Grand Prix, the racer with the most points wins. The gameplay may sound like nothing new for a new entry in the series, but the main gimmick of Mario Kart World is that every track is an area of a large open-world map. Not only do you race around the tracks like any other kart racer, but the races also include you driving to the next lap on the interconnected highways. At first, I didn't like this change; I didn't want to spend most of my time driving in a straight line to get to the next track. However, Mario Kart World proved me wrong, and I fell in love with the new format.

Mario Kart World Grand Prix mode gameplay

Here is how a Grand Prix works in Mario Kart World: the first race is a traditional three-lap race around a track. The second race begins at the first track, and you drive to the upcoming track on the road. Once you reach the next track, complete one lap, and that marks the end of the second round. The third and fourth races of a Grand Prix are in the same format as the second race. The new style of racing is a bold move by Nintendo, but I adore it. Driving to the next track is never a straightforward process, and there are dozens of shortcuts along every path. The addition of 24 racers on a track instead of 12 often makes every race feel like a recipe for chaos, especially when playing online. Not to mention, driving to the next track becomes even better once you get to grips with the new moves you can do in the game. You can now perform a charge jump by holding down the jump button and letting go when the boost charges, similar to a drift. Executing a charge jump is tricky at first because your turning is restricted, but once you find a fairly straight section to practise it, you will get the hang of it.

Mario Kart World gameplay on Knockout Tour mode

Additionally, if you're a beginner, I recommend using a bike to get to grips with the charge jump, as you have more control over turning while performing the move with a bike compared to a kart. The charge jump also allows you to perform Tony Hawk-style wall rides and rail grinding. If you approach a wall or rail whilst doing a charge jump, you can drive onto the surface and get an extra boost. Grinding is a lot more prevalent in the game than wallriding, but both moves are immensely satisfying to pull off. The new moves at your disposal are what make Mario Kart World feel like a reinvention of what a Mario Kart game can be, and the new mechanics are integral to winning races.

Mario Kart World gameplay featuring Rainbow Road

Other than Grand Prix, you have Knockout Tour, a brand-new mode and arguably the best mode in Mario Kart World. In the Knockout Tour, you race along six different highway paths completely uninterrupted, meaning that the races are continuous and do not stop after completing one section. There are various checkpoints along your route, and you will only progress to the next area if you finish in a high enough position. For example, in the first section, you must finish 20th or higher to progress, and the number decreases with each subsequent area. Playing Knockout Tour on 150cc can be challenging at first, especially if you are coming to grips with the new physics, controls and mechanics. However, the Knockout Tour slowly became my favourite mode in the game because it is a true test of your abilities in the game, and the continuous gameplay never gives you a moment to rest as you are put straight into the next race. Because the Knockout Tour consists only of the highway sections, you must learn the ins and outs of the charge jump and new moves to give you the upper hand in a race.

Mario Kart World gameplay featuring the congratulations screen after winning a Grand Prix

The online mode is also a blast and even more chaotic than it was in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The 24 racers on a track are the main reason why online races can be insane, but they are still very fun. Every game mode is also available in online mode, including Battle Mode. Battle Mode only features two distinct modes: Balloon Battle and Coin Runners. The two modes are the same as they were on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but Balloon Battle now starts you with five balloons instead of three. Battle Mode has never been a mode I play much. I play a game like Mario Kart World for the sheer adrenaline rush of racing around a track, but Battle Mode is a nice addition that always finds its place in a Mario Kart game.

DON'T STOP ME NOW

What makes Mario Kart World one of the best kart racers I've ever played is its controls and physics. They are very different to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and I do prefer the controls in World. Drifting has more weight to it than the lighter feeling drift of Deluxe, and you can now spam the trick button when you are in the air to get an even bigger boost. The change in physics is not only evident in the drifting but also in the gameplay environment. When driving on a highway section, you encounter various obstacles on your path, including passing cars and projectiles thrown from the back of a truck by enemies. If you are drifting and crash into an oncoming collision, your vehicle will react to it, and you will tip to one side, ruining your boost. The environmental hazards not only complement the open-world nature of the game, but they also put a lot more thought into when and where you do a speed boost. Mario Kart World is the best-designed Mario Kart game due to its variety of tracks, hazards on the path during highway sections, and improved feel of the karts themselves. The weight of your kart reminds me a lot of Crash Team Racing, which is easily my favourite kart racer of all time.

Mario Kart World gameplay in free-roam mode featuring an objective for one of the many P Missions scatterd around the map

The only areas that stop Mario Kart World from being the best game in the series are the free-roam mode and the lack of customisable vehicles. Free-roam mode allows you to drive around the map freely, complete certain missions and find hidden collectibles. Free-roam is not necessarily a bad feature; it's fine, but it does feel like an afterthought compared to every other mode. You do not unlock anything worthwhile in the open World, aside from different costumes for certain characters and mirror mode. Customisable vehicles were one of my favourite parts of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, allowing you to experiment with other cars, tyres, and gliders. In Mario Kart World, there are no customising options for karts or bikes; they are one unit. There are a lot of different vehicles in the game to choose from, but I do miss the ability to customise your kart to look and feel however you want.