Mario Kart World Review: Nintendo Switch 2’s Flagship Racer Takes the Series in Bold New Directions

It’s been over a decade since fans last experienced an entirely new Mario Kart title.

While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brought a steady stream of content updates and Mario Kart Tour showcased how the franchise could adapt to mobile platforms, gamers have been eagerly anticipating a traditional, mainline entry—often referred to by fans as "Mario Kart 9." Now, with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has answered that call with Mario Kart World, a highly anticipated release already positioned to be the flagship system seller for its next-generation console. From the outset, Mario Kart World aims to build on the critically acclaimed foundation of Mario Kart 8 before it, maintaining the familiar responsive controls and signature drifting mechanics that series veterans know and love.

However, this new installment introduces a fresh suite of abilities that redefine how races unfold.

Notably, the game debuts grinding, wall riding, and jumping mechanics.

Grinding lets racers ride rails and narrow surfaces for boosts and alternate routes.

Wall riding empowers players to traverse vertical surfaces after performing a trick, unveiling new shortcuts and out-of-reach areas.

Enhanced jumping, executed by holding the drift button on straightaways, allows for impressive aerial maneuvers and tricks that reward skilled timing. Nintendo has also extended the character and vehicle selection considerably.

Returning favorites receive visual updates with unlockable costumes—giving Mario a cowboy look, Wario a biker persona, and Toad an icy makeover—while new entries, including Fish Bones, Goombas, and Cataquack, join the roster.

Notably, unlocking certain characters, especially minions, hinges on utilizing Kamek's item in-game, sometimes making these unlocks more elusive than expected. One of the most significant gameplay evolutions comes from increasing the number of racers per track to 24, which significantly elevates the intensity and unpredictability of each race without rendering gameplay unfairly chaotic.

Players can still expect classic "Mario Kart" moments of item-induced mayhem, but the learning curve for mastering shortcuts and advanced mechanics offers ample opportunity for skilled players to gain an edge. Grand Prix mode receives a major overhaul as well.

Instead of racing three laps on four distinct circuits, competitors now journey continuously between tracks, culminating with a single lap finale.

This open world-inspired progression modernizes the classic mode and, with over 30 circuits and 100+ connecting routes, the possibilities for customized races are nearly endless.

While traditional three-lap circuits can still be played in customizable modes, the new layout is a marked departure in structure and scope. Mario Kart World debuts a new Knockout Tour mode, a rally-inspired contest where players race across expansive map sections, facing elimination at each checkpoint until a quartet remains for the final leg.

This mode shakes up the formula with its intense, high-stakes action, even if its eight cups feel limited in comparison to the base content. The much-discussed Free Roam mode encourages players to explore the vibrant world at their own pace, collecting a variety of hidden items, solving traversal puzzles, and discovering hundreds of collectibles—ranging from "? Panels" and "Peach Medallions" to P-Switch-initiated challenges.

While this mode doesn’t revolutionize the series, it offers a relaxing contrast to the adrenaline of competitive racing and is packed with charming details and secrets. Time Trial and Battle modes return, though the latter adopts a pared-down approach compared to its predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

With only two types of Battle mode and using segments of the main map for arenas, the options here are more limited, and rounds are shorter, which may disappoint veteran fans.

Nonetheless, the action remains engaging, and the local and online multiplayer experiences are smooth and reliable. Visually, Mario Kart World is a stunning showcase for the Nintendo Switch 2’s hardware, offering dazzling colors, intricate animation, and vibrant environments.

The soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring over 200 new and remixed tracks that span the franchise’s history and deliver an eclectic musical journey for players. Overall, Mario Kart World successfully propels the series forward with its innovative mechanics and open-ended structure.

Despite some puzzling design choices and a few undercooked features, it stands as a triumphant and joyful racing experience.

With Nintendo’s continued support and updates, Mario Kart World could cement itself as one of the best entries in the series’ storied legacy. Version tested: Nintendo Switch 2.

Review copy provided by Nintendo. Score: 9/10.

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