Mario Kart World Reviews
Mario Kart World preserves the series charm while moving the gameplay, and how its packaged, forward - a system seller for Switch 2.
Mario Kart World is simply the best-looking, sounding, and playing Mario Kart game we've had. With new additions like doubling the player count of Knockout Tour, it's clear that Nintendo has plenty of ways to improve and expand this long-running franchise.
Mario Kart World is an excellent addition to the series – beautiful, fun and imaginative – but it could have been even better, more diverse and worthy of its name. The open world is under used, and Nintendo continues with the familiar and safe line of starting races from the menu and ending them in the menu. Despite its flaws, it's pure fun, whether you're playing alone or with friends and family. And thanks to the new console hardware, it looks better than ever!
Review in Finnish | Read full review
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.
As a launch title for Nintendo’s new system, this is a friendly and approachable release that will delight all members of the family, while also offering a high skill and knowledge ceiling for dedicated players who want to dig deep.
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.
Mario Kart World takes the best of the series to a new level of quality. Nintendo Switch 2 kicks off with a bang thanks to a colossal title, packed with ideas, new features, and madness that will never bore you. Pure fun. Pure Mario Kart.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
Mario Kart World delivers fine-tuned racing, strong multiplayer potential, and a bevy of unlockables that keep every session rewarding. But its tacked on exploration component, one that tries too hard to force long-term success, is a reminder that even a driver with a tremendous lead on the competition still isn’t safe from a dreaded blue shell.
Mario Kart World is the ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 launch game. This entry goes far beyond anything seen before in the franchise; it’s a true turning point. It’s simply better, offering far more than previous Mario Karts. Try it, or you’ll likely miss out on one of the decade’s best Nintendo games.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A lot of flash and some substance, it’s a very fun game in a package that doesn’t live up to its massive potential, much less the massive price tag it’s introduced to mainstream gaming.
Although its open world is wonderfully designed, Mario Kart World's undercooked Free Roam mode means it's not utilised to its fullest, turning what should have been an exciting new direction for the series into a disappointment. This is thankfully salvaged by the traditional Grand Prix, VS Race and Online modes, which are as brilliant as ever, and the exceptional new Knockout Tour battle royale, meaning the overall package is still well worth your time.
The Nintendo Switch 2's flagship game is a winner, and often feels more like a journey with your friends than a straight competition