One Month with Mario Kart World on Switch 2 – Ups, Downs, and Drifting into the Void
It’s been just over a month since Mario Kart World screeched onto the scene with the debut of the Nintendo Switch 2, and fans around the world have been drifting, boosting, and banana-peeling their way through Nintendo’s latest take on the iconic racing franchise. Billed as a bold evolution for the series—with an open-world twist, connected online hubs, and a revamped drift mechanic—Mario Kart World promised to be the most expansive Kart experience yet.
Now that the initial turbo boost of hype has cooled and we’ve spent time with the game’s tracks, features, and quirks, it’s time to look at what’s working, what’s frustrating, and where this shiny new kart might be veering off-course.
🏁 The Green Shell Hits: What Mario Kart World Gets Right
1. A Bigger, Brighter World (Mostly)
The new open-world hub system is legitimately cool. Instead of the standard menu system, players launch into Mushroom Kingdom Plaza, a bustling, Mario-themed online hub filled with racers from around the world. Think Splatoon’s Inkopolis meets Forza Horizon’s festival—but with more Toads and less EDM. It adds a layer of immersion and charm that’s undeniably fun.
2. More Characters than EVER!
I love the number of options for characters but now, I’m wondering who are they going to bring into the mix from OUTSIDE of Mario Games? Can we get Little Mac? PLEASE? I mean, Mario was in his game after all.
3. Tracks that Dazzle
Let’s give credit where it’s due: the new tracks are good. Dynamic weather, track-altering hazards, and branching paths elevate the racing experience in ways that feel both modern and nostalgic. The throwback tracks- seem to be lacking something but are still a blast to run. I love the little alterations.
🍌 The Banana Peels: Frustrations & Faceplants
1. Drift Overhaul = Drift Overkill?
There are discussions on Reddit about how the drift just doesn’t feel as good on MKW as it did on Mario Kart 8.
Comment
byu/Quick-Entrance-4247 from discussion
inmariokart
2. Connection Chaos
Yes, the always-online aspect makes the world feel alive—but it also means unstable servers can boot you mid-race or freeze your session. I want to play more with friends- but I’m guessing I don’t have any friends because I never seem to be online in Mario Kart when any of my friends are. We owe everything we know about awesome online play to XBOX LIVE: Nintendo needs to hire someone that did some of that work as, Nintendo still hasn’t nailed seamless online play, and Mario Kart World suffers for it.
3. Paywalls & Progression Potholes?
Is "Kart Pass" really coming? —a battle pass-like progression system—this could add unnecessary friction to unlocking gear. While I’d guess it’s not going to be as predatory as some other games, it still feels weird in a Mario Kart game to be grinding dailies or tempted by microtransactions.
This is Mario Kart, not Fortnite Kart. I’m hopeful that we don’t see this- especially with the game sitting at an $80 price point.
🚨 Off the Track and Into the Void: The Big Misstep
The most frustrating moment so far? The infamous "Void Drift Bug."
It’s become a meme in the community: take a corner too tight, and suddenly you’re no longer racing—you’re falling endlessly into an off-map purgatory. It doesn’t happen every time, but it happens enough to turn an exciting race into a floating, playerless limbo. Nintendo has acknowledged it, but as of writing, there’s no patch. It’s immersion-breaking and makes some high-skill plays feel like a gamble.
🏎️ Final Lap Thoughts: Is Mario Kart World Worth It?
Absolutely—with caution. $80 is ROUGH. The game is fun, but it’s missing the tournament mode, which could have been a huge piece for this game.
Mario Kart World is fun, fresh, and filled with brilliant design. When it works, it really works. It feels like a true next-gen Mario Kart experience—expansive, ambitious, and packed with potential. But the added complexity, online issues, and occasional bugs keep it from reaching blue-shell levels of perfection just yet.
If you’re a series veteran or a Switch 2 early adopter, it's still a must-play. Just be ready for a few bumps—and the occasional plunge into the void.
Have you been racing through Mario Kart World? What’s your favorite track (or least favorite bug)? Sound off in the comments below!
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