Mario Kart World Reviews
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.
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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 a must-have title for the Nintendo Switch 2 that showcases this new console well and, more importantly, delivers an addictive and engaging Mario Kart experience. It's jam-packed with gameplay modes and boasts flawless game mechanics that not only play well but also look spectacular on the Switch 2.
Mario Kart World revolutionizes the series with a new Free Play mode, a visually spectacular open world, and breathtaking new game modes. Whether it's the ultimate Mario Kart, only time will tell.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
It's a shame about the free roam mode, announced as the big new feature of Mario Kart World, which fails to be anything more than a simple and unimpressive diversion. It's a shame, because Mario Kart World remains a sumptuous, gigantic, fun and beautiful game to look at and play. The launch of Switch 2 is slow, with very few first-party titles: this alone, however, is already an excellent calling card.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Against all odds, Mario Kart World more than lived up to the hype surrounding its launch. This is easily the best Mario Kart game to come out in years and it shows off the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 in the best way possible.
Putting a new spin on a long legacy, Mario Kart World provides incredibly fun core gameplay, both offline and online. Knockout Tour is an amazing addition and Free Roam is certainly a great addition, even if some improvements could be made. If you want a chaotic kart racer that anyone can play, you won't go wrong with Mario Kart World.
“Mario Kart World” is a bold new beginning that feels fresh, and not just because of the doubling of the drivers. The open world turns the familiar cup structure upside down and also allows for a completely new game mode: the sensational Knockout Tour. It's the best thing that could have happened to “Mario Kart”. There is room for improvement in the unspectacular Free Roam mode, which makes the game world seem boring and empty. The Battle Mode and online multiplayer could also do with more meat on the bone. All in all, however, these are side notes in a well-done, colorful and chaotic overall package. If you own a Switch 2, you should definitely not miss out on this fun.
Review in German | Read full review
Mario Kart World is not only a great first-party launch game for the Switch 2, but it’s also one of the best entries in the franchise to date.
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 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.