Mario Kart World Reviews
Despite the 'world' part of the game's title not quite fulfilling its potential, Mario Kart World is a delight to play and a fitting launch game for Nintendo's new console.
Mario Kart World is a near-total success and remains a must-have even if you grumble about a couple of small things. Its risk-taking pays off and it successfully manages its hairpin turn towards more subtle gameplay, but still just as fun and exhilarating.
Review in French | Read full review
Mario Kart World feels like a true expansion of the franchise in many ways. The Nintendo Switch 2's abilities allow for grander courses, more intense races, and experiences that'll appeal to both hardcore racers and those who just want to roam around and see everything with their friends.
Mario Kart World breaks away from series tradition to great success, even if it is slowed down by an interconnected yet barren world.
Mario Kart World is magnificent. It features the tight and refined gameplay you expect from the series, a brilliant new Knockout mode, and such colourful energy and vibrancy that it was the perfect title to launch the console. I really didn’t think there was much else Nintendo could do after Mario Kart 8, but I stand corrected.
After the exhilarating 8 Deluxe this is the natural evolution of the series, one that adds and enhances enough aspects to keep a near-perfect series fresh.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Mario Kart World is a solid addition to the franchise, with interesting twists that bring new dynamics to the series. The introduction of interconnected tracks and new techniques offer new levels of complexity while still maintaining a good balance for casual players. However, some issues, such as the lack of inspiration in the roads between the courses and the unattractive rewards in Free Mode, hold the game back from reaching its full potential. Still, the game captivates with stunning visuals, fun modes, and a dynamic atmosphere that captures the chaotic essence of what Mario Kart is all about, while also offering possibilities for the future. Ultimately, Mario Kart World won me over — it's chaotic, beautiful, and addictive in the way the series knows how to be.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I don’t think it’s entirely fair to compare Mario Kart World to Mario Kart 8. It’s a different beast with unique design philosophies and ideas. How much enjoyment you get out of it is really going to depend on how much you gel with what it’s trying to achieve. Even if it isn’t your cup of tea, Mario Kart World is still a great kart racer with the potential to evolve into something excellent if this formula is built on further.
Mario Kart World may have been slightly controversial based on its price, but realistically based on my time played already vs my time playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it seems somewhat justifiable. The Switch 2 has a significantly better online experience, meaning less connection issues during races. Having essentially double the amount of races with Grand Prix and Knockout Tours, plus having the free roam all means there’s a ton more to do just playing the game alone.
It’s quite simple – Mario Kart World is essential owning on Switch 2. Not only is this the best and biggest Mario Kart ever made, the Knockout Tour is a game-changing new addition that feels like it always should have been here, the courses are among the best ever seen in the series, including a system-defining moment with Rainbow Road and the vast potential that’s opened up with the map mean you could be playing this through the entire console lifecycle and beyond. You quickly realise that this is a game that could only work on this hardware and it feels like the developers have relished being free of the shackles of previous hardware to create, frankly, their magnum opus. One of the best racers ever made, easily the best Mario Kart of all time, and frankly, the perfect start for a console that feels like it could seriously change the landscape of gaming over the next few years.
Mario Kart World offers neat twists on the classic Mario Kart formula, but its open-world ambitions are somewhat let down by some classic Nintendo quirkiness.
Mario Kart World may not make the most convincing case that going open-world was the boost the series needed, but excellent multiplayer racing, incredible polish, and the thrilling new Knockout Tour mode still more than live up to its legacy.
Mario Kart World is a gorgeous racing game with endless hours of fun to be had, though its defining new game mode doesn't quite hit the mark.
World is more playful, more unpredictable, and more willing to give players all the toys they need to have fun and put the pedal to the metal. Even days after launch as the only proper exclusive title for Nintendo Switch 2, there is a foundation here I cannot wait to see iterated upon.
Mario Kart World expands on almost everything that made Mario Kart 8 such an enduring success, laying the foundation for years of raucous racing to come.
Overall, Mario Kart World is a huge undertaking, but it still offers the classic Mario Kart progression we’ve all grown up with. Whether this will sell as much as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains to be seen, but from the off, Mario Kart World definitely has an enormous amount of content to wrap your head around, and the multiplayer will likely keep it an evergreen release for years to come, much like the other games in the series have been.
Mario Kart World powerslides onto Nintendo Switch 2 as the de facto launch game to play in the absence of much competition. It's a vibrant and joyful racer, perfect for playing with friends and family (or against the world online), but not all the tweaks to the classic Mario Kart formula are successful, with the new open-world mode being particularly underwhelming.
Free Roam is a major disappointment, but Mario Kart World is still an excellent game that helps justify purchasing a Nintendo Switch 2. It's the console's day-one killer app backed by an incredible soundtrack, well-rounded roster of characters, and addictive gameplay.
A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage. The classic Mario Kart experience has been enhanced by Nintendo Switch 2's hardware, Knockout Tour mode, and an open world to explore. This may be the best game in the franchise.
Mario Kart World takes that big and bold step into a different style of racing. A big open world, bigger lobbies, and a Battle Royale style multiplayer mode add up to a Mario Kart that is both familiar and refreshingly new. It's not as tightly tuned as Mario Kart 8 was, but this is still a lot of fun, and essential for the Nintendo Switch 2.