Mario Kart World Sees Metacritic User Score Drop After Controversial Nintendo Update

Mario Kart World Sees Metacritic User Score Drop After Controversial Nintendo Update Mario Kart World, Nintendo's latest entry in their iconic racing franchise for the Nintendo Switch, has encountered a noticeable shift in its public perception following a recent software update.

Once praised for its vibrant courses and creative gameplay, Mario Kart World is now attracting attention for a sharp decline in its user score on Metacritic.

The drop has been attributed to a wave of negative reviews submitted by a portion of the community unsatisfied with specific changes introduced by Nintendo. According to recent reports, including coverage from The Gamer, Mario Kart World’s user review average on Metacritic has seen a reduction from approximately 8.3 to 7.5 in just a few days.

This decline underscores a growing discontent among players, many of whom have taken to review platforms to express their frustration.

The adjustment in score is significant, given that The Gamer noted an average of 7.7 mere days prior, indicating the trend is ongoing. The core of the controversy stems from Nintendo’s new update, which alters online matchmaking by decreasing the frequency at which traditional 3-lap courses are selected.

In their place, the update places stronger emphasis on 'intermission' races utilizing Mario Kart World’s new open-world features.

While classic 3-lap races remain included, their likelihood of being offered in online rotation has substantially diminished, leading to disappointment among dedicated fans of the classic formula. A segment of the Mario Kart community, especially those attached to the more familiar race structure, have voiced concerns that the new focus undermines the game’s legacy appeal.

Some users have resorted to submitting extremely low ratings on Metacritic—some even as low as 0 out of 10—in hopes of capturing Nintendo's attention and showing their dissatisfaction with the current state of matchmaking and course selection. Among the community reactions, one notable video alleged that Nintendo had "ruined" the game with the latest update, echoing the intensity of feeling among traditionalists.

Despite these complaints, it is important to highlight that many sources—including professional reviewers—still hold Mario Kart World in high regard.

In a recent review, it received a score of 9 out of 10, with praise for both its expansion of franchise mechanics and its ability to infuse new charm into the longstanding series. Looking ahead, Nintendo is expected to continue supporting Mario Kart World through additional updates and content on the Nintendo Switch.

While feedback about the latest update remains mixed, the enduring popularity and sales momentum of Mario Kart titles suggest that Nintendo’s development team will be responsive to user input.

For now, the studio faces the challenge of balancing innovative new features with fan-favorite modes—ensuring that Mario Kart World remains a top draw on the Nintendo eShop and beyond.

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