Review of Mario Kart World

Sure thing, let’s see how this goes.

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Ah, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Who hasn’t hopped into one of those tiny karts and felt the thrill while simultaneously cursing a blasted banana peel? Over 68 million copies sold – can you even picture that? Absolute madness. Now, Nintendo’s launched the Switch 2 with its shiny new buddy: Mario Kart World. The title that’s causing all kinds of excitement as it rolls into town.

First impressions? Oh boy, it’s like they took what folks loved and just dialed it up. Playing on a docked Switch 2 in 4K – it’s like candy for the eyes. The colors practically leap out at you, and don’t even get me started on the weather system. Ever race through a storm, only to hit a serene sunset? I kid you not, I found myself just staring. Visuals and performance? Smooth as butter on a hot pancake.

And the soundtracks. Nintendo does this thing, you know? New tracks mixed with the old tunes, and it’s like being wrapped in nostalgia while discovering something fresh. The sound effects – top-notch. The swoosh when you grab an item or Pauline belting out tunes while you’re doing some trick? It’s those tiny details that pop.

Now, how does it perform when you’re playing with friends? Split-screen, single-player, or two-player hijinks – doesn’t matter. It doesn’t skip a beat. Tried and tested, and it doesn’t cough up any hairballs (not literally, but you get the drift).

Game modes? Oh man, you have your classic Grand Prix back – think of it as comfort food with a twist. Each race flows into the next without stopping. The tracks? Not a dud in the batch. Battle Mode is the same fun chaotic mess we’ve come to love.

But here’s the kicker – Knockout Tour. It’s that one thing where you just keep telling yourself, “One more time.” Seriously, I was glued to it, chasing that first-place dream in a 24-player frenzy. Yup, 24. And it works – no idea how, but they’ve managed it.

The character roster? Let’s just say there’s someone for everyone, including a cow and a penguin, if you can believe it. And those outfits – plenty to keep you occupied without endlessly tweaking karts like in MK8 Deluxe.

But, oh boy – Free Roam. All hype, but when you actually dig in… falls flat. The idea of exploring an open world connecting all tracks was super, but… then what? No real direction. Missions scattered everywhere with no clear way to track them? What a headache. Multiplayer’s not much better here. Feels more like a waiting room. Sigh, there’s potential, but—c’mon guys.

Despite some stumbles, it’s a blast. I’ll be keeping Mario Kart World in my Switch 2 rotation for quite a while – on those long evenings where you just want to escape into something familiar yet exciting. Sure, Free Roam didn’t quite hit the mark, but – and here’s the thing – the rest? Simply grand.