The wait is over, the successor to Mario Kart 8 is finally here, debuting on the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 console. Mario Kart World does not simply add more new tracks to race on, it adds a completely new aspect to the gameplay.
So what’s new, anything improved? Well there are a multitude of new courses and cups to enter, as per the usual Mario Kart format. However this time as you finish one race, the end of the racetrack course leads directly to the next race and track. The whole ‘world’ of race tracks and courses are now connected.
The graphics are indeed fantastic, with some beautifully designed and created locations to race and explore, but I would not go as far to say the graphics are light years ahead of the previous game on the original Switch and Mario Kart 8. But there are noticeable improvements, although nothing jaw dropping to distinguish the two games. The soundtrack however is indeed special, with new music carefully crafted for each and every course, some invoking memories of previous Mario tunes from songs as far back as Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo (SNES) in the early nineties.
There are more cars, characters and outfits to unlock and compete with than ever before. And yes, getting the combination right to suit your driving style or the specific track does make a difference to your success. The online racing experience is just as frenetic as ever. You get so involved in what is going on around you that you can barely take a breath to view and appreciate the track you are racing in. And that dreaded blue shell is still the destroyer of all your hopes and dreams.
I have been that close to putting my foot through the telly when going from first to seventeenth just in sight of the finish line. At least I know where I can buy a great replacement TV at the best price should this happen! 😉 You can also take part in ‘Knockout Tour’ competitions, whether against the computer or against up to 24 participants from across the world if you subscribe to ‘Nintendo Online’.
It is a non-stop race, passing through multiple race tracks concurrently, were a limited and ever decreasing number of racers can qualify to each next section of the race to continue. If you finish below the qualifying placement in each stage your race is over. All the usual Time Trials, VS Races and mini games are here, so you can still battle your friends and pop their balloons, or fight to win the most gold coins.
You can now also set up and host your own race rooms online with just your specific friends on your system. There will be at least some aspect of this game that will appeal to each member of your household. You do not need to be good at racing anymore to get something out of this game. It is wildly enjoyable and addictive whilst charming and cute.
The bad news, the game is not cheap… available to buy separately at an RRP of £75 for a physical copy or £67 for a download code, is not good for your bank balance. However, most people are likely to obtain this as part of the bundled package of the Switch 2 console with Mario Kart World download on initial release of the console.
This is a step up in the cost of individual video games, but this has been coming for a while and a trend likely to continue across all consoles. Just wait to GTA 6 comes out and the price people will be expected to shell out for that (and will). You have to really think carefully about where to invest your money when it comes to games. And it is an investment. The time and enjoyment you can get out of a game determines whether or not that purchase price was worth it.
This will be a Top 5 game for the new Nintendo Switch 2 for the entire lifespan of the console, however long that may be. It’s that good, it is a ‘must have’ for this new system.
Author: Al, Service Department
