Mario Kart World – Review

Mario, a kart, and 2 Switch power

Mario Kart World is one of those titles that simply doesn't need a review anymore. Not only does it sell itself, but it also carries a console on its back. At least it's not too heavy. Joking aside, we're talking about an IP as old as I am (Super Mario Kart was released in 1992), so certainly older than many of you reading these lines… But so as not to turn this review into a post from our #old-ppl-rants channel on the GRIND Discord server, I'll try to keep the kart's steering wheel as straight as possible and reach our destination without too many detours. Not least because with so many good games in 2025, it would be a shame to waste your free time reading too much when you could very well be spending it button-mashing on your PC or favourite console. And if you choose to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Mario Kart World, then you get a bonus point from me.

Because I got my hands on a Nintendo console quite late (a Switch Lite in 2021) and only bought Mario Kart 8 Deluxe afterwards, I didn't understand the hype around this series at all. How could a seemingly childish title, where you drive karts and throw bananas at other racers, be fun? I admit: my first experience with a Mario Kart game didn't impress me. The graphics weren't the problem — 8 Deluxe still looks impeccable on the original Switch, especially the OLED… but it just didn't click. I didn't understand its magic. Well, I found out the answer two years later when I played it for the first time with my daughter, Iris. Seeing the smile and joy on her face as she embodied Princess Peach (whom she became very attached to after watching The Super Mario Bros. Movie), I finally understood what it was all about. In fact, it was two things: first, I wasn't part of the target audience. Or at least not entirely. I like it, I appreciate it, but it doesn't pump my dopamine as hard as a Call of Duty multiplayer match or a well-made action-RPG. And secondly, Mario Kart only shows its true potential when you play it with "at least two players" (as Alex Velea says in his song about love).

Long story short, I only fell in love with Mario Kart the moment I had a player two on my team. Moreover, the game convinced me to buy that expansion pack with new tracks and fresh outfits for the characters. That's my short history with the series, and I'm genuinely happy that the story continues with Nintendo's new title, bundled with the small but surprisingly powerful Switch 2.

A new Mario Kart era has begun

Although I mentioned in the introduction that I only had the opportunity to get my hands on a Nintendo console with the launch of the first Switch, I have always been fascinated by their games and, especially, by the magic of their characters. For a while, I thought they might have discovered a well-kept secret and that everything released under their signature became an overnight hit. In a way, that's true. There are geniuses like Shigeru Miyamoto who manage exactly that. But I think the real magic lies in the enormous work behind the scenes.

Let's take the example of Mario Kart World — a title that the development team started working on back in 2017, shortly after Mario Kart 8 was re-released in its Deluxe edition. A good game needs time, money, and talent — especially when it becomes the flagship title for one of the most anticipated (perhaps the most anticipated) consoles in recent years. Of course, Nintendo fully leveraged the popularity of the previous title, but at the same time made a considerable effort to take the series to the next level. It's not just a trivial sequel — it's a modernised concept that retains the classic recipe from 8 Deluxe but adds huge potential that will keep it relevant for years to come, actively supported by Nintendo with new content.

I remember the day I saw the first teaser for the Nintendo Switch 2, which started with scenes from Mario Kart World. I must have watched the clip dozens of times. I couldn't believe that, finally, we had the first official images of the new console, even if Nintendo didn't explicitly say anything. But it was 99% clear: we had just witnessed the opening scene of the future Mario Kart title. What set the internet ablaze then was the image showing the 24 starting positions — a detail that warned us we had a buffed title in front of us, built to take full advantage of the Switch 2's new hardware. I can tell you that the hype hasn't left me even now. The game doesn't disappoint. With every minute spent in Mario Kart World, I discover something new. I enjoy the impeccable graphics, solid optimisation, and that "something" that keeps you glued to the controller. Of course, it's not a perfect game. There are a few things that disappointed me, but they didn't spoil my experience or steal the magic of the previous title. I'll list them below, just to get through them quickly and then focus on what really matters: why Mario Kart World is one of the best games of 2025.

A visit to the garage

I couldn't not start with the elephant in the room (and no, I'm not referring to the one from Super Mario Bros. Wonder), that is… the price. In adult life, I've learned that good, quality things… cost you. But in gaming, fortunately, there are many examples that turn this phrase into an urban myth. There are decently priced games that are gems, a few examples being: Hades, Stardew Valley, and Vampire Survivors — titles under $40. However, Nintendo made a questionable move by raising the standard price from $60 to $80. Yes, I know, we were all upset. Then we said: "Hey… it's just Nintendo." But the truth is that the new price goes far beyond the psychological barrier. And also beyond the wallet's barrier, especially in an uncertain economic context like 2025. We were lucky: we received a review key from our partners CD Media S.E., whom we thank… but I would have liked the price to remain at least $70, so that more people could enjoy the new Switch and great titles like Mario Kart World.

Another less pleasant aspect arose when I tested the game in docked mode. Although I generally love HDR (less so in Windows 11…), something isn't right with the image rendered when it comes to bright, sunny scenes. Initially, I thought it was my fault and I hadn't calibrated the settings correctly. But after a few searches online, I found out I wasn't the only one "blinded". It seems many players complain about the strange HDR calibration on various TV models, both OLED and LCD. I also found a… partial solution. In my case, it didn't completely solve the problem, but at least now I don't have to wear sunglasses when I enter the desert circuits, where the sun seems to throw flashbangs from Counter-Strike 1.6. I should mention that in handheld mode, the HDR is much better calibrated and there are no problems.

The last aspect I want to mention in this sub-chapter doesn't concern money or HDR, but the game's design. More specifically, the Free Roam mode, through which you explore the world of the new Mario Kart. The island is fantastic. You have everything you want: snow, desert, savannah, volcanic areas, tropical forests, towns, castles, crazy NPCs, and traffic participants moving at a snail's pace. On paper, it should offer tens or even hundreds of hours of exploration and fun. A kind of Forza Horizon in the colourful and chaotic universe of Mario Kart. What could be cooler than that? In practice… if you're like me, you might get bored after a few hours. I can't say exactly what doesn't work, but no matter how much I want to enjoy the free exploration mode… I haven't found its magic yet.

In 9th gear

Even though I was a bit harsh in the lines above, it's very possible that you'll like Free Roam mode. There are some cute activities, in the form of mini-missions against the clock: sometimes you have to collect coins, other times you have to launch through flying barrels and reach the finish line as quickly as possible. From time to time, if you're good and explore as many areas as possible, you also get achievements in the form of stickers. The developers made sure to sprinkle all sorts of small incentives to keep you busy. 

If you're a fan of exploring on four wheels (and not only, as there are water sections or flying sections), you might find Free Roam mode as captivating as Knockout Tour captivated me. By far, the main attraction, the star of the game, the icing on the cake (call it what you want) for me is the Knockout Tour mode. A simple recipe, but one that works perfectly in the context of Mario Kart. The trick is that this mode only reaches its true potential in such an open-world game. In short, for "old gamers" like me: it's a mode inspired by some Need for Speed games, where you have several laps and, at the end of each one, the player in a trailing position is eliminated. In Mario Kart World, this concept is taken and elevated to the next level — a huge track, composed of several interconnected circuits. You start at one end of the island and reach the other. The circuits are superb and diverse, but the adrenaline of the competition is worth every penny: when you approach the checkpoint and see that you are among the last, you watch the leaderboard with bated breath, hoping not to be the one who "drops out of the race".

In addition to this new mode, the game retains the classic recipe from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with all the good things from the previous title. The abilities are largely the same, but a few new ones have appeared: such as the set of hammers (please, no jokes!) that you can throw at other racers (my favourite, without a doubt). Another plus is the simplification of the UI, especially for vehicle customisation. If in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe you had three configuration steps that you always had to go through, now you can directly choose a pre-configured vehicle and you're ready to race. Simple and efficient. Character costumes are unlocked through a random-surprise system when you collect a food pack. I've noticed that opinions are divided, but I like it because it encourages exploration. The characters are much more varied than in the previous title. Besides Mario (my favourite) and Peach (Iris's favourite), Moo Moo Cow became the undisputed star from the very first trailers. My only regret? The absence of Link from The Legend of Zelda. I still hope he appears in a future DLC or update. Nintendo, are you listening?

I almost forgot about… parkour! Yes, you read that right, in Mario Kart World you can do parkour. Not like Ezio Auditore from Assassin’s Creed or Faith Connors from Mirror’s Edge. But how? Simple: you approach an electric pole, press the jump button, and your kart transforms into an acrobatic beast: you grind on high-voltage cables, jump on the edge of a bridge, fly a section, and return to the track. It's as fun as it sounds. All you need is a little patience to learn the new mechanics. Believe me: later it becomes a game-changer. Parkour mode manages to revitalise the classic Mario Kart formula and even take it in a new, unexpectedly cool direction.

It's a marathon, not a sprint

It's fascinating how such a simple game can be so much fun. Nintendo took no risks at all by choosing Mario Kart World as a launch title for Switch 2… and rightly so! They knew that as long as they delivered a quality product, it would sell out in record time. I'm extremely curious what future plans Nintendo has for this title. I'm 100% convinced that updates are already in the works that will add new circuits, characters from other first-party series, and maybe even map segments inspired by The Legend of Zelda, Splatoon, or Kirby. That's why I believe that Mario Kart World is not just a game, but an evolving platform that will become increasingly fascinating. It's in my personal top of 2025 and, on this occasion, I warmly recommend it – especially if you own a Switch 2 and haven't yet grabbed the bundle edition.

Mario Kart World doesn't disappoint and remains a standard of quality when we talk about video games in general. It's more than just a cute, Switch 2 exclusive title — it's a game that generates joy, encourages fun, and creates solid 7s, especially when played with friends or family. On this final note, Mario Kart World receives a 9/10 and officially enters the list of "Must Play" games in the GRIND review collection. If I've convinced you to try it, then I challenge you to a Knockout Tour in online mode. What do you say, are you in?

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Played on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: 05 June 2025
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Publisher: Nintendo, CD Media S.E.