# Mario Kart World Review: Revitalizing the Classic Franchise with New Thrills **URL:** \ **Category:** People of Con\ **Created:** [July 21, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://forum.geektherapy.org/t/mario-kart-world-review-revitalizing-the-classic-franchise-with-new-thrills/5540 "2025-07-21T03:47:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PeopleOfCon](https://forum.geektherapy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/77aa72/32.png) [@PeopleOfCon](https://forum.geektherapy.org/u/PeopleOfCon)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://forum.geektherapy.org/t/mario-kart-world-review-revitalizing-the-classic-franchise-with-new-thrills/5540/1 "2025-07-21T03:47:29Z")
Originally published at: [Mario Kart World Review: Revitalizing the Classic Franchise with New Thrills - People of Con](https://geektherapy.org/mario-kart-world-review-revitalizing-the-classic-franchise-with-new-thrills/) Author: Greg Lozano It has been over a decade since we last received a new _Mario Kart_ installment. And with how many updates _Mario Kart 8_ received when it was ported to the _Switch_, it is nothing short of a daunting task to follow in the footsteps of what feels like the biggest _Mario Kart_ game. Yet, despite how grand _Mario Kart 8_ was, _Nintendo_ managed to create an experience that is both new and familiar with _Mario Kart World_. The charm that has come with every _Mario Kart_ title grew tenfold that even some of the returning courses are almost unrecognizable (in a good way) due to the level of detail that flourishes in this world. Having the ability to interact with courses in a completely new way changes much of the gameplay, but at its core, it is _Mario Kart_; and if you’ve ever played _Mario Kart_ before, this feels nostalgic. Despite being an absolute joy to play, there are a number of complaints one could have, and while most can be solved through updates for the life of the game, the biggest complaint is the price tag. [_Mario Kart World_](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/mario-kart-world-switch-2/?srsltid=AfmBOorzC02V_i-pPtCQC_v0xccyWVnS2dbiKuTRGhQcEUZJbcR2nWAO)starts with 32 tracks, the typical amount seen from most previous titles as their base, only rather than racing 4 different tracks per cup, players will now have to drive to the next course, all while competing against other racers. In truth, this feels great as a mix-up to the formula that has been established since ‘92, however, my biggest complaint about this is that most of the time, the final checkpoint is just one lap around the course. This unfortunately restricts getting to drive the courses of 3 laps to time trial or picking random while playing multiplayer. This is something that could definitely be added in with a future update, and it is something I’m sure a lot of _Mario Kart_ fans would like to see, because as neat as the drive to a course is, it just doesn’t carry the same purpose that makes players want to play a _Mario Kart_ game. An incredibly enjoyable feature that was added was the ability to grind on rails and wall ride. With these two added features, _Mario Kart World_ almost plays and feels like a _Tony Hawk_ game with constantly doing tricks, but the reason why these features are so great is because it gives players the freedom to explore a course how they see fit. Gone are the days of just memorizing the track, for now players will be able to bounce off rails, phone wires, lamp posts, clouds, etc. all for the sake of shredding seconds off their time, and it’s fun. It’s not just fun to be able to do these tricks, but discovering paths is another reason it’s enjoyable. _Nintendo_ really wanted to give players the sense of being creative, and it shows. Seeing how people map out optimal routes is mindblowing, especially since the game barely released on the 5th, and this was written only three days after. Many of these routes can be practiced in a race and time trial, but this is one of the big reasons why free-roam is such a great add-on as well. Free-roam racing games have existed since 1986, and companies have continued to evolve the concept in amazing ways; this time it’s _Nintendo_’s turn and it’s probably one of the most fun open worlds to drive through. Unlike other games that tend to give missions and a story to unlock and upgrade, _Mario Kart World_ discards the overarching story of an open world title and allows gamers to be gamers. People will be mapping out the best routes for races, taking photos while exploring, spending time with friends while sightseeing, or completing the numerous challenges throughout the world. Some of these challenges are activated by pressing a blue P-switch, others will engage when you’re close to an _NPC_, and others involve collecting hidden items throughout the world. With how much there is to do, it’s easy to just relax and approach the world in any way your mind see’s fit. This approach to freedom is reminiscent of _Breath of the Wild_ and even the original _Zelda_ where one can just go anywhere and do what they want, and the best tool they have at their disposal is their brain. Rather than making players force themselves through a story, free-roam is exactly that, the ability to do anything you want in this world at your leisure. Along with the standard race mode that has been modified, and free-roam, _MKW_ brings a new mode called Knock-Out tour, where players will race from one end of the continent to the other, all while knocking out four players per checkpoint until it’s only the top 4 competing. This battle-royale is intense, frantic, and I want more of it. I want there to be more routes than the eight that are currently available, and I’m more than certain this will exist in a future update. The feeling of going from absolute chaos all the way down to the skill of the top four feeds an adrenaline rush that one has not gotten before in a _Mario Kart_ game. As well as having this battle-royale mode, _MKW_ also brought back its battle mode in a new 24 player frenzy. This is quite possibly the most polished and fun battle mode has been, as it’s always been a good time, but this is one of those moments where one would ask, “how does it get better than this,” but we all know the next _Mario Kart_ will top it somehow as well. Accompanying all these fun types of races is a soundtrack of not just remixes of _Mario Kart_ songs, but a lot of the _Mario_ library. People that have been playing _Nintendo_ games since _Donkey Kong_ will be hit with waves of nostalgic songs as they transition from one track to the next. Having these tracks made every mode that much more enjoyable, and with songs so memorable, it goes without saying that people will be finding themselves humming these tunes when they’re not playing. _Mario Kart World_ is an incredible package out of the gate, but I cannot agree that this title should be at the 80 dollar price tag. It feels like something I would have no issue paying 60 dollars for. I would hesitate, but still say even 70 dollars is justified with the current market, but to price it at 80 at its base level is ludacris. Even more, if _Nintendo_ decides to sell DLC on top of the game having an 80 dollar price time, well then that is just criminal. Even if DLC was “free” with the _Switch_ Online + Expansion, having content locked behind a paywall when the game is already 80 dollars is not something I can justify. Mind you, _Nintendo_ games do not get discounted, so when one see’s 80 dollars, it will always be 80 dollars unless _Nintendo_ brings back their “Best Sellers” which discounted games by 10 dollars. If one were to purchase a _Switch_ 2 bundle with _Mario Kart World_ included, that puts _MKW_ at 50 dollars, and in that, I can say that this game is absolutely justified. This creates a split in my review rating, but here’s my final take. _Switch 2 Mario Kart Bundle_: Highly recommended if this is how you are getting the game and new system. The price of the title is 50 this way. _Mario Kart World_ standalone purchase: Recommended. It’s the price that kills me, but if you already have the console and are willing to fork over the extra cash, you, your friends, and family, will have a great time.