I’ll be honest-my interest in Mario Kart World peaked the second Nintendo dropped “open world” and “24-player races” in the same sentence. As a longtime Mario Kart fan (who still dusts off Double Dash!! and gets annoyed at blue shells in 8 Deluxe), I’m both hyped and a little wary. We’ve been waiting nearly a decade for a proper new entry, and now Nintendo is going all-in with the Switch 2’s launch. But is it genuine innovation, or just a bunch of marketing buzzwords? Let’s break down what actually matters for gamers with Mario Kart World’s big reveal.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Release Date | June 5, 2025 |
| Genres | Racing, Open World, Party |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive) |
Nintendo’s announcement for Mario Kart World doesn’t pull any punches: this is the “most ambitious” Mario Kart ever, built from the ground up for Switch 2 and launching day one. For a series that’s often played it safe—let’s be real, Mario Kart 8 was a (fantastic) remix job stretched over 11 years—this is a rare, bold move. The open-world promise especially caught my attention. “Drive anywhere!” isn’t something Mario Kart fans expected. Nintendo describes a seamless world, with familiar series locales connected by explorable roads, cities, lakes, and more. That’s a huge leap from the static tracks and menu-driven progression we’re used to.
But it’s not just about the world map. The gameplay shakeups are substantial. 24-player online racing is a technical and design challenge—Mario Kart has always thrived on chaos, but doubling the player count could tip it into pure mayhem. Can Nintendo’s infamous online services actually handle it? I’m cautiously optimistic (smash servers, anyone?), but skeptical until we see it running outside a perfectly controlled trailer.
Then there’s the mechanical overhaul: vehicles now plane with retractable wings (goodbye, hang gliders), skim across water (no more underwater handling), and can finally roam off-track for the first time. The addition of new tricks—rail grinding, wall jumping, and a rewind feature—show Nintendo is finally willing to break its own rules. Will this make races more unpredictable or just add fluff? Time will tell, but it feels like a direct response to the creative modding scene and the “do anything” ethos of games like Forza Horizon.
The real surprise for me is the focus on modes. The Grand Prix is reimagined with region-based cups and section-style tracks, blending classic racing with adventure vibes. Survival mode with player eliminations every race brings a battle royale flavor—sure to be a streaming and party favorite if the pacing feels right. And the “Balade” open adventure mode? That’s Nintendo’s bid for the sandbox crowd, letting you and friends roam, explore, and snap pics anywhere on the world map. It’s a far cry from the series’ strict lap-based design, and could be the game’s sleeper hit if well executed.
Roster and circuit variety are where the series usually shines, and Mario Kart World isn’t slacking. 50 characters (20 debuting as playable), a mix of classic, modern, and deep-cut Mario enemies, and 30 tracks (with alt routes)—including overhauled classics from nearly every era. The absence of vehicle customization (sorry, kart tweakers) is a weird step back, but bringing back quads and bikes is a win. It’s clear Nintendo is aiming for both nostalgia and novelty, which, if balanced, could finally justify a full-price Mario Kart on new hardware.
Here’s the bottom line: Mario Kart World is Nintendo’s big swing at making Mario Kart fresh again, not just a prettier iteration. The open-world structure and expanded player count could be game-changers—if the tech holds up and the design avoids “feature bloat.” The decision to lock it to Switch 2 at launch sends a clear message: this is meant to showcase the new hardware, not pad out the old gen.
The biggest upside for players? More freedom, more chaos, and (potentially) more meaningful multiplayer. For competitive types, the 24-player lobbies and Survival mode could be the most intense Mario Kart ever. For explorers and casuals, the Balade mode and world exploration might finally give us the Mario Kart playground we always wanted. And with GameChat support, maybe—just maybe—it won’t require a separate phone app to talk trash with friends.
But let’s not forget Nintendo has a mixed track record with online features, and “ambitious” sometimes means “overstuffed.” There’s also the eye-watering €89.99 price tag for the physical version—a tough pill, but sadly on trend in the new-gen era. If the package delivers, though, it could be the must-play Switch 2 title for years. If it stumbles, it risks being the most over-hyped Mario Kart since… well, ever.
Mario Kart World looks like the series’ biggest shakeup in 20 years: open-world exploration, true next-gen chaos, and a full suite of new and classic content. If Nintendo nails the tech and the design, it could redefine what Mario Kart means. If not, we’ll have paid a premium for another “almost there” experiment. Either way, every Switch 2 owner will be watching—and racing—when June 2025 rolls around.