Mario Kart World Reviews
Mario Kart World's open world and Knockout Tour deliver a bombastic opening volley for the Nintendo Switch 2, though its chaotic 24-player multiplayer could hamper long-term interest.
To be fully transparent, I do believe this is a great game, and the direction it’s headed in is promising. Doubling the player count, introducing open-world design, adding more environmental interaction, showcasing new water tech, real-time weather, day and night cycles, and the introduction of new racing mechanics all point to a true generational leap over its predecessor. However, the open world just isn’t utilized to its fullest. It feels like something’s missing and there is not much to chase. Instead of rewarding players with shallow collectibles like stickers, there should’ve been deeper, more engaging activities with far better rewards like hidden secret characters or some crazy vehicle that has maxed out stats for doing everything that free-roam has to offer. The $80 price tag stings even more when you realize how much more could’ve been done with the foundations they’ve built.
Mario Kart World is some of the most fun we've had playing a video game all year. Nintendo's charming, imaginative kart racer misses a couple of big swings but at its core, it's so endearing and hard to put down.
Mario Kart World is bold, ambitious, and utterly charming, and even a couple of hiccups don't spoil the pure joy and chaos it presents.
Mario Kart World is an excellent launch title that serves as an evolution for the long-running racing franchise.
Whether it’s thanks to its accessibility, hidden depth, or the urge to explore every corner of the map, Mario Kart World is a fun ride and a refreshing surprise to kick off a new generation of Nintendo games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mario Kart has transitioned to an open world, in an experience full of new mechanics and with a new rebellious and energetic personality, which even seems to take ideas from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. It is truly addictive and immediately captivates people of all ages, including those who don't even play games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mario Kart World is a game that had everything going for it. A new concept, a vastly more powerful console... but it has some design choices that I just can't understand. And of course, I have to talk about the elephant in the room. It's a game that costs a whopping 90 dollars in Brazil. [...] So is this a game that is worth 90 dollars? Unfortunately, that answer is no, at least considering the amount of content it offers at the moment. Now, if the game was only 60 dollars, then I could recommend it. Because if you don't care much for the interconnected tracks or the new Knockout Tours, then Mario Kart World falls apart really quickly, as it leans very heavily on the concept.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mario Kart World not only honors the legacy of the franchise, but also expands upon it with boldness and creativity. The new free mode, open world, and new modes add layers of depth and replayability to a title that was already synonymous with fun. The experience remains familiar, accessible, and impeccable from a technical and artistic standpoint, all with Nintendo’s hallmark of excellence.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mario Kart World is a content-rich celebration of kart racing, fusing nostalgia with innovation. Its generous character roster, unlockable gear, and chaotic multiplayer make it a must-play for fans. While it fumbles in areas like UI clarity and pacing, its accessibility options, engaging mechanics, and sheer fun factor steer it toward a strong recommendation, especially for those eager to race, roam, and collect.
Mario Kart World is a solid next step for the world’s top mascot racing franchise and a great launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. There’s lots to unlock and some truly exciting modes to try, even if free roam could use a bit more content. If you want to have an exciting time racing around impressive courses – especially with friends – then you can’t really go wrong with Mario Kart World.
Mario Kart World takes the series in a new direction with connected tracks, expanded online modes, and a massive open world. Knockout Tour is a highlight, delivering fast-paced chaos with 24 racers. While Free Roam feels underused, the core racing and presentation stay strong. Longtime fans will find plenty to enjoy, even if not every new idea lands.
Objectively speaking, this is a really solid production which, although not without its flaws, such as wasted open-world potential and a somewhat confusing set of available characters, still does many things well. It looks very good, sounds phenomenal, and is technically flawless. There is a lot of content available at launch, and the design of the world and routes is impressive in its ingenuity. This title will certainly find its fans, and it can liven up more than one party. It is one of those games that I think is appreciated not so much for its depth, but for the lightness and joy it can give to the right person at the right moment.
Review in Polish | Read full review
If you are looking for the best Nintendo game at launch for Switch 2, look no further, but for fans of 8, you may need to wait for Mario Kart World to make the podium.
Mario Kart World is still an excellent opener for the Switch 2’s life cycle, and one that people will likely find themselves coming back to for quite some time to come.
Mario Kart World is a worthy successor to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, combining classic racing fun with fresh mechanics, a connecting open world, an expansive roster, and a brilliant Battle Royale mode—making it a joy for players of all ages.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Mario Kart World is an outstanding new entry in the long running series, and it is a worthy launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. Its unique gameplay prevents it from being a replacement for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and allows for both games to exist on the same console side by side. Anyone who enjoys Mario Kart should for sure give this one a chance, and it is the perfect introduction for new players as well.
Mario Kart World marks the beginning of a new console generation for Nintendo, and with it come several new introductions like Free Roam and Knockout Tour, with the latter being an amazing game mode. That said, some strange design choices in the grand prix and a lack of meaningful content at launch make the price point hard to recommend it outside of the console bundle.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mario Kart World is proving doubters wrong, as this is the innovation that Mario Kart needed. Even on the surface level, with docked support for 4K resolution and 120 FPS, the improvements are here. Because of all the new additions, everything feels more chaotic, and that’s a perfect compliment for any Mario Kart game.