Summary
Super Mario Kartpremiered on the SNES in 1992 and was a huge hit. It inspired many developers to follow suit, creating abeloved karting genrefor those uninterested in more involved simulation-level racing experiences.
The last console entry in the series was technically on the Wii U in 2014 withMario Kart 8, which was later expanded through several updates on the Nintendo Switch starting in 2017. Now, over a decade later, the series is back withMario Kart World.What news did Nintendo reveal in the Switch 2 event? Let’s kick things off in a big way by looking atthe latest details onMario Kart World
6Price And Release Date
Yikes, Nintendo
When the Xbox Series X and S and PlayStation 5 launched, fans were shocked to see most games raised from $60 to $70 in North America. Throughout Switch’s life, most games consistently stayed at a $60 price point, but now it seems like the Switch 2’s prices will fluctuate. For example, if players buyMario Kart World, it will be$80, which is astounding as, again, that’s more than PS5 and Xbox Series X games currently cost.
The Switch 2 is set to release onJune 5at a retail cost of $450, andMario Kart Worldwill be a launch game.There is a different version withMario Kart Worldbundled with the console for just $500, making the game only $50, which is a steal comparatively.Donkey Kong Bananza, set to release a month later, is only going to be $70, so again, the prices for digital and physical games look like they will fluctuate on Switch 2, much like cartridge prices did decades ago duringthe N64 era.
5You Can Drive In An Open-World
But Can’t You Get Out Of The Car
Theopen-worldnatureofMario Kart Worldis perhaps the biggest shift from the previous titles in this series. Players can go into matches like normal, playing four tracks and then determining a winner. There is also a more global expedition since this is literally a world tour wherein players can race across the nation and even get eliminated along the way.
In between races, no matter the mode, players can explore the open range. However, it seems like there is no way to exit the vehicle, which is a shame, butMario Kart Worldis not the first open-world racing game. This was Ubisoft’s big pitch withThe Crewand its sequel, andForza Horizon’sbig claim to fame, butMario Kart Worlddefinitely has more cheerful vibes as it places Mario characters in the limelight.
4Confirmed Characters
Who Is Missing?
Based on the website, there are twenty-four confirmed characters forMario Kart Worldthus far, includingMario, Baby Mario, Luigi, Baby Luigi, Peach, Baby Peach, Rosalina, Baby Rosalina, Daisy, Baby Daisy, Paulina, Toadette, Toad, Koopa Troopa, King Boo, Yoshi, Shy Guy, Lakitu, Donkey Kong, Wario, Waluigi, Bowser, Bowser Jr., and Birdo.Based onMario Kart 8 Deluxe, there is a notable set of missing characters beyond alternate versions of Mario and Peach, likeMetal Mario fromMario Kart 8 Deluxe.
All the Koopalings are missing, along with guest characters like Link fromThe Legend of Zelda,as well asAnimal CrossingandSplatooncharacters. There were no Miis in the trailer either, and they were missing from the Switch 2 presentation overall, which may point to Nintendo trying to get away from them. Curiously, there were other characters displayed in art and trailers, like Goombas and other low-level enemies, as well as someone racing as a cow. Instead of playable characters, these could merely be enemies to race against or temporary costumes. That is just speculation at this point, though.
3Vehicle Types And Power-Ups
Hijacking A Semi
Mario Kart 7on the 3DS was the first game to implement gliders on the backs of karts. That was expanded inMario Kart 8,and vehiclescould further transform based on where they were racing. Little jet propellers would appear underwater, and anti-gravity wheels would turn on when players drove upside down.
This time around, it looks like players will getSonic & All-Stars Racing Transformedlevels of vehicle progression, going from karts to boats in an instant.Cars can sprout wings, grind on rails like aTony Hawkgame, bounce around cages, and so much more.Traditional power-ups appeared, like bananas and shells, and there was even a point where a kart hijacked a semi-truck and started driving it.Mario Kart Worldlooks unhinged in the best way possible.
2Multiplayer Options
Take It On Tour
Mario Kart Worldhas an interesting approach to itsmultiplayer. The aforementioned globe-trotting race is called Knockout Tour, where twenty-four players can compete online. If players don’t make it past the goal on time, they will be eliminated Battle-Royale style. Assuredly, players don’t need twenty-four friends to use this feature online.
In the demonstration for the Switch 2’s GameChat feature, four players could be seen exploring the world with each other. They can even take photos to commemorate the occasion, which isn’t new for video games, but the confirmation of a Photo Mode in the game is still nice to see. Four players can even connect on the same Switch 2 using a myriad of different control types, including using a set oforiginal Switch Joy-Cons.
1Different Control Styles
Grab The Wheel Bundle
It’s a bit shocking how much everything will cost at launch with the Switch 2, but that is the standardfor console launchesthese days. Some products won’t break the bank, though and are seemingly good deals to be found. As was previously mentioned, original Joy-Cons can be used to playMario Kart Worldin multiplayer.
Between Joy-Con 2s and Joy-Cons, players can use them together like a normal controller, split them apart and play in side view, or use motion controls. If players like playing games using motion controls, then they should consider getting that aforementioned good deal via theSwitch 2’s racing wheel.For $20, players can get two wheels in the package, which isn’t a terrible deal, all things considered.
