Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best -selling games of all time with over 68 million units sold and bills, so it's really no surprise that Nintendo decided to start Switch 2 with its follow -up, Mario Kart World. Switch 2's flagship launch title, Mario Kart World expands the established ones Mario Kart Formula with some wild new features while you still stay believed in what fans love about the series in the first place.
Mario Kart World Delivers more of the same chaotic racing measure as its predecessors, but bigger and better. Gambling Mario Kart World On a docked Switch 2 in 4K there is a visual treatment, with lively colors, impressive animations and a large open world made with zero performance of some kind. From a technical and graphic point of view, Mario Kart World Is extremely impressive and an exhibition of what Switch 2 can. What put me most out was the diverse weather as I rushed over the gaming world, with dark thunderstorms that gave way to wonderful sunsets that made me stop and take the sights. Mario Kart have always looked good, but Mario Kart World Takes things to the next level.
Mario Kart WorldFantastic Visuals pair well with their fantastic soundtrack, typically for Nintendo. Different areas and tracks have their associated songs, with new music mixed with nostalgic throwbacks. The game is full of iconic sound effects and small sound meetings that go a long way in giving Mario Kart World Infinite personality. From the hectic slot machine sound when players take up an item to Pauline song when players perform tricks with her outside a jump, Mario Kart WorldStronged sound design stands high with its eye-catching graphics to deliver an often jaw-releasing presentation.
In terms of presentation, Mario Kart World is practically perfect, and although one would normally expect some of its visual splendor or performance to be compromised when playing in the split screen, this is definitely not the case in my testing. Mario Kart World Drive beautifully in a single player and in the split-screen multiplayer, with players can once again enjoy up to 4 players split-screen with friends. Two players can even play in the split screen against others online, which is much appreciated.
Mario Kart World is full of fun game modes
Mario Kart World Has the usual playing modes that you have expected from the franchise over the years. Of course the flagship Grand Prix mode is back in Mario Kart WorldWith each cup a joy to compete through. Mario Kart World Tweaks The typical Grand Prix set by having players competing on each track for a single lap, and then literally drive to the next track as part of the same, ongoing race. All Mario Kart WorldTraces are fantastic and fun to compete on. There is really not a bad track in the group, and the players will have lots of fun to see what each one has to offer.
Battle Mode is also back, slices parts of Mario Kart WorldMap to arenas for players because Duke it matches types like the classic balloon fight and coin runner. Battle position is always good for some laughs, and it is no different in Mario Kart Worldwith players who can enjoy it locally or online.
The prominent new gaming mode in Mario Kart World IS Knockout Tour, where players must end each race in a certain position or avoid being eliminated. The knockout tour is challenging and difficult to close down. I found that I played it for hours and chased the hard-captured goal of finally winning one of the knockout tours high bets 24 players.
Mario Kart World Extending competitions to include 24 players, and although it may sound scary on paper, it works well. Thanks to the extra horsepower on the switch, Mario Kart World achieves 24 players without compromising performance at all. Bumping up the racing number also gave Nintendo an excuse to give Mario Kart World Franchise's most varied program list to date, with the usual pillars united by surprise characters such as a literal cow and penguin. Many of the returning Mario Kart Racers have lockable clothes that count as individual riders, plus there are many different vehicles to earn as well, which ensures almost endless variation even without MK8 DeluxeMap adaptation.
Mario Kart World's Free Roam leaves a lot to wish
In terms of returning Mario Kart game modes and knockout tour, Mario Kart World defies expectations. Unfortunately, the game's defining new location, Free Roam, is a huge disappointment. One of the most hyped positions leading to release, Mario Kart WorldFree Roam gives players the chance to freely explore a huge map that connects all the gaming tracks. The open world is filled with P-switches that unlock challenging assignments for players to complete in exchange for rewards, along with collecting coins and other secrets to discover.
Mario Kart WorldOpen World is visually impressive, and there is some fun to explore and try to complete all assignments. The problem is that free Roam lacks direction. It picks players into the middle of it and lets them quickly travel anywhere just outside the bat and do whatever they want without a sense of progression. What makes it worse is that the game does not keep track of completed assignments on the map, which means trying to make everything an unnecessary overwhelming task. This is a great surveillance, and hopefully Nintendo spots in a way for players to gain a better understanding of what they have already done and where they still have assignments to complete.
Exploration Mario Kart WorldThe Free Roam map in multiplayer is also a disappointment. P-switches disappear when playing in co-op, and there really is nothing to do with friends in the open world. It is a glorious lobby for the competitions, and it is a real shame. But while Mario Kart WorldIt is not really to take on the brand, there is obvious potential there, and I hope that future installments do the idea justice.
I am disappointed with Mario Kart WorldFree free, but the game nails everything else. It is good for almost intended hours of entertainment, and it will definitely stay in my Switch 2 rotation for many years to come. Mario Kart World is the best that the series has ever seen or played and a definite must for Switch 2 early adopts.

Mario Kart World
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2
- Published
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June 5, 2025
- ESRB
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All // Mild Fantasy -Violence, Users Interact
- Developer
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Nintendo
- Publisher
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Nintendo
- The best Mario Kart has ever looked
- Exciting, chaotic 24-player-race on some series best tracks
- Huge list of playable characters that all have lots of personality
- Knockout tours challenge makes it impossible to close down
- Free Striking and Open World are shiny