Mario Kart World Final Preview

The highly anticipated Mario Kart World launches in just two days, and excitement among fans is at fever pitch. As the showcase title for Nintendo Switch 2, this groundbreaking entry marks the series' first open-world adventure while following the massive success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Adding to the anticipation, it's Nintendo's first premium $80 game since the N64 era - a pricing decision that's sparked extensive online debate. After spending five uninterrupted hours with the final version, I'm pleased to report this exhilarating racing experience promises to launch Nintendo's next generation with an explosive start, even if I remain cautiously optimistic about its open-world exploration aspects.

My initial hands-on session back in April proved quite restrictive. With steering assists enabled and gameplay limited to 100cc, we only sampled a couple of modes. This time, however, I experienced what appears to be the complete retail version - including the full roster featuring fan-favorite character Cow - with complete freedom to explore all modes and settings.

Mario Kart World Screenshots

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Selecting Mario as my driver (admittedly conventional), I experimented with various karts - including the impressive R.O.B. bike - to test Free Roam mode, the biggest question mark surrounding Mario Kart World. This series-first feature shifts focus from racing to exploration across interconnected highways. Nintendo promises hundreds of P Switch challenges here, and while I won't reveal specifics, I can confirm these missions appear constantly - sometimes popping up mere seconds apart. Contrary to concerns from released footage suggesting these challenges might be too easy, I found several surprisingly demanding, requiring mastery of new parkour mechanics inspired by Tony Hawk's games.

P Switch challenges are abundant throughout the world. After initially worrying they'd be overly simplistic based on Nintendo's footage, I was pleasantly surprised when I failed several attempts - either missing crucial jumps or running out of time.

One particularly challenging mission in Bowser's Castle required precise timing for wall-driving and mid-air plane transformations. Thankfully, retries are instant rather than requiring tedious backtracking. Some challenges dynamically alter the environment, summoning obstacles like dinosaurs mid-course. While I've only sampled a fraction of the available challenges, and wonder about their long-term appeal, my initial impressions remain positive.

Mario Kart World: Character Select Screens

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Unfortunately, Free Roam hasn't fully captivated me yet. While I'm slightly more positive than some colleagues, I share concerns about the mode's substance beyond P Switch challenges. Collectibles like Peach Medallions and ? Block Panels unlock kart stickers, but these discoveries lack the magical "aha!" moments that defined games like Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Odyssey.

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Off-road exploration suffers slightly from reduced speed on grass or sand. While this limitation makes racing sense (punishing unintended detours), it somewhat discourages thorough exploration. Though early days, Free Roam currently feels more like supplemental content than the revolutionary open-world experience some envisioned.

The true star remains Mario Kart World's racing elements, which shine brilliantly at 150cc. Tight controls for drifting, turning and boosting combine with innovative open-course designs. Knockout Tour emerges as a standout mode, delivering exhilarating cross-country races against 23 opponents while battling to avoid elimination. Every item becomes crucial in these heart-pounding sprints to qualify for subsequent rounds.

Mario Kart WorldNintendo EPDJun 5, 2025 WishlistRelated GuidesOverviewList of Characters and Costumes

These six-stage races primarily unfold along highways connecting Mario Kart World's dedicated courses. Navigating through reimagined classics like Shy Guy Bazaar alongside inventive new locales like The Great ? Block Ruins reveals numerous shortcuts - some allowing massive track skips with well-timed Golden Mushrooms. Competitive players will find endless enjoyment optimizing routes and mastering these courses.

Initial concerns about extended straightaways prove mostly unfounded thanks to environmental hazards, projectile-spitting enemies, rail-grinding opportunities, and Charge Jump mechanics. While occasional empty moments occur, these highway sections generally maintain engagement - though dedicated courses still deliver superior intensity.

Traditionalists craving classic three-lap races across Mario Kart World's 30+ courses will find VS Race and Time Trials deliver exactly that exceptional quality. Remastered classics like Peach Beach blend nostalgic elements with fresh expansions, while DK Spaceport pays perfect homage to arcade origins (complete with nostalgic final-lap arrangements). Series veterans can rest assured: course design remains stellar.

The soundtrack may rank among Nintendo's finest achievements. Beyond outstanding course themes, Free Roam and Knockout Tour arrangements serve as a magnificent celebration of Super Mario's 40th anniversary, blending references from across the franchise's history - including Super Mario Bros., Yoshi's Island, Donkey Kong Country and more - into masterful Mario Kart adaptations. With launch imminent, stay tuned for our upcoming review coverage as we deepen our Mario Kart World experience.