Mario Kart World – Review

When Mario Kart World was announced as the flagship game for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, I have to admit that my expectations were as high as a triple turbo on the final stretches of Rainbow Road. The franchise was already synonymous with fun, chaos and nostalgia — and the promise of an open world, 24 simultaneous competitors and revolutionary new modes seemed too ambitious even for the Big N’s standards. But when I got my hands on the game for the first time, I realized that I wasn’t just looking at another title in the series. I was looking at a complete reinvention.

I spent many, many hours playing, in different ways: alone, with friends, online and offline. And with every turn, every charged jump, every unlocked skin and every defeat by a cursed blue shell, Mario Kart World convinced me: this is one of the best experiences Nintendo has ever created. And I’m about to tell you why!

Mechanics and Gameplay

The essence of what made Mario Kart a phenomenon is all here: frantic races, crazy items, challenging curves, surgical drifts. But Mario Kart World goes beyond that. The main change is in the format of the races: the tracks now intertwine in a continuous open world , which turns each race into a true marathon of skill, strategy and adaptation.

Each Grand Prix is ​​structured as a connected sequence: there is no longer that abrupt cut between one track and another. When you finish a lap, you simply keep accelerating and boom , you are on another track. This creates an absurd and exciting feeling of continuity. At times, I even forgot that I was in a traditional Grand Prix. It was like being in a huge amusement park, with tracks sprouting up in front of me.

Another great new feature is the Knockout Tour mode . A type of battle royale in a car, you have to avoid being one of the last placed drivers at pre-defined checkpoints — or you’re eliminated. The adrenaline rush is running wild. I’ve played it countless times, always thinking I could go further. It’s addictive. The mode requires balance: doing well without attracting attention, but not falling too far behind to avoid being kicked out of the race.

And if all that wasn’t enough, there’s also the Free Roam mode . In it, you explore the open world interconnected by the tracks, discover secrets, complete challenges hidden in the “P-Switches” and unlock new characters, clothes and stickers. Although the mode lacks more diverse activities, it is still a welcome addition that expands the experience — especially when you want to relax between races.

The gameplay is even more precise. With new moves like charge jumps , wall-riding, and grind rails, the game demands greater technical mastery from players. There is a clear difference between those who just play and those who master these new mechanics. I felt this firsthand when competing against more experienced players online — and it motivated me to improve.

Graphic

Simply stunning. Playing Mario Kart World on Switch 2, in 4K resolution and HDR, is like seeing the series in a new light, literally. The environments now have an unprecedented level of detail and animation. The colors vibrate on the screen, the reflections are dynamic, the weather changes in real time (torrential rain, fog, clear skies at dusk) and there is an environmental richness that left me with my jaw dropped more than once.

The characters are more expressive and stylized than ever. Each new costume, from “Wampire Waluigi” to Peach the farmer or Yoshi the ice cream man, is full of charisma and good humor. The tracks, in turn, vary between the exuberant and the absurdly creative. DK Spaceport, for example, features a giant robotic Donkey Kong throwing barrels around the curves, reminiscent of the 1981 game. Boo Cinema, on the other hand, looks like it came straight out of a Nintendo Halloween, with a dark atmosphere, flying leaves and ghostly sounds in the background.

And I can’t help but mention the quality of the camera in multiplayer modes: seeing my friends’ faces when they took a red shell straight to the forehead is an experience that borders on sadistic fun, but still priceless.

Sound: nostalgia and innovation in perfect harmony

Nintendo has always done well with soundtracks and this is no different. The soundtrack for Mario Kart World is a true symphony of nostalgia and innovation. There are new compositions orchestrated with mastery and modern reinterpretations of classic songs from the franchise. It feels like listening to a greatest hits remixed with love.

The sound effects are still perfect. The sound of the item wheel, the impact of the hooves, the laughter of characters when they overtake someone… everything is designed to convey identity and energy. Special mention goes to the characters who sing or say specific phrases when performing maneuvers, such as Pauline putting on a real vocal show when jumping a ramp.

And there’s a wonderful detail: the effects change depending on the environment and the moment of the race. On tracks with water, for example, the sound of the engines changes subtly. In closed environments, there are reverberations. It’s a whim that only Nintendo delivers with such precision.

Fun

Mario Kart World is pure fun. Whether you’re playing alone or in a group, you can’t help but get excited about the frantic pace of the races, the item traps, the chaos of overtaking, and the screams of “son of a bitch!” when someone hits you on the last corner.

The variety of content is massive: over 100 characters, countless outfits, vehicles, challenges, stickers, modes and mechanics. Not to mention the passive challenges, such as distance traveled, number of tricks performed or coins collected, which function as internal achievements.

The multiplayer mode (both local and online) is a real treat. I’ve played with friends on the couch, connected with strangers around the world, organized tournaments with custom rules… and the game has never gotten old. There’s something addictive and cathartic about playing a chaotic course and coming out on top against 23 opponents.

Sure, Free Roam mode could use more variety; after a few hours, it becomes repetitive. But as a place to relax, customize, and search for secrets, it still does its job with flying colors.

Performance and Optimization

Perhaps the greatest technical merit of Mario Kart World is that it manages to make all of this (open world, 4K graphics, 24 simultaneous players) run smoothly. On the Switch 2, the game is a true tech showcase .

The performance is impeccable: stable frame rate, fast loading times, no crashes or stutters even in 4-player split-screen sessions. I also tested the online version extensively and was surprised by the stability of the servers. Very little lag , rare disconnections and quick matches to find players.

Even in portable mode, the game performs admirably. The graphic quality, although adapted to the smaller screen, remains top-notch. Nintendo nailed the optimization, and Mario Kart World is living proof that the Switch 2 is a real powerhouse. Seeing everything this game is delivering, I’m already amazed, just imagining the next games that will come to the Nintendo Switch 2… If we’re talking about a game from the beginning of the generation, just imagine what will come next, when developers are already getting everything the console’s capabilities allow!

Conclusion

After many, many hours of fun gameplay, I can say with conviction that Mario Kart World met and exceeded my expectations. The game truly is a milestone in the history of the franchise. A game that respects its roots, but is not afraid to innovate and expand its horizons, literally.

It’s fun, it’s beautiful, it’s exciting, it’s creative. It has depth for veterans and accessibility for newcomers. There are flaws, yes, especially the underutilization of the Free Roam mode, but they don’t take away from the experience’s brilliance. If you have a Switch 2, Mario Kart World is a must-play. And if you don’t have the console yet… well, this game is the right reason for you to fork over your money and hand it over to Nintendo as soon as you can, because you need to experience this wonder.

Positive Points:

• Stunning 4K graphics with dynamic weather;
• Races with 24 players work perfectly;
• Knockout Tour is innovative, challenging and addictive;
• Deep character and vehicle customization;
• Spectacular and nostalgic soundtrack;
• Refined gameplay full of new mechanics;
• Extremely solid multiplayer mode (local and online);
• Large amount of unlockable content.

Negative Points:

• Free Roam mode has few truly engaging activities;
• Split-screen progression could be better implemented;
• Grind rails are not very interactive and not challenging.

Assessment

Final Rating:
Graphics: 9.5
Fun: 10.0
Gameplay: 9.8
Sound: 9.6
Performance and Optimization: 10.0
FINAL GRADE: 9.78 / 10.0