The Nintendo Switch 2 is practically here, pulling to the starting line of its lifetime with Mario Kart World. The first brand-new console Mario Kart in over a decade, Nintendo has it at pole position for a reason. MK8 is the best-selling title on two systems in a row now, and World comes off as a means to show growth for the series while emphasizing new and familiar console features like the C Button and passing Joy-Con 2 around the living room.
It’ll take the full release to adequately assess those elements and plenty more, but some things did stand out at hands-on opportunities I’ve had with Mario Kart World. While we work on our complete review, here are some key takeaways from someone who’s already gotten behind the wheel and seen what this Cow can do.
Knockout Tour – The Greatest High
There was no greater moment during my Switch 2 hands-on experience than winning a Mario Kart World Knockout Tour. Granted, this was what might be the optimal setting for that kind of mode — 24 people each with their own system and TV setup, with onlookers and cheering demo staff hyping the whole thing up. More than anything, it showed the potential of the idea, and just like how an in-person tournament can make a fighting game that much more visceral I’m thrilled at the prospect of what could come from this mode in local circles or at large scale events.
Stakes feel elevated when your racing life is on the line, and making it from a near knockout to first place is powerful. Missing an item box could be the difference between life and death rather than just more points going into the next Grand Prix track, and due to the sheer length of a Knockout Tour there’s room for rivalries to form and targets to get painted on backs.
I don’t think there’s any way to adequately change or replace the time-tested setup of going from one race to the next to see who comes out on top overall. But I do think Knockout Tour is a great compliment to that more contained and restrained (by comparison; this is still Mario Kart) rally.
A Whole, Wide World to Explore
About the only thing that can top knockout in terms of scale is what’s right there in the name. Being able to drive anywhere in this great wide wacky world is a tantalizing proposition. Tracks have traditionally been just that — structured raceways with just enough window dressing to feel lived in. World is set to push that boundary and open things up for explorers, photo fiends, and people who crave freedom.
I didn’t get to do too much in this department during my hands-on: about all I could manage was pushing boundaries in a large waiting area ahead of a Knockout Tour. Thankfully, we did get a peek of what’s to come via the Mario Kart World Direct. Hidden secrets to uncover are nice, but I’m excited to delve into P-Switch missions, which are seemingly a modern update to Mario Kart DS’ own missions. I’m wary of whether there’ll be much in the space to incentivize combing the off-road portions much after all’s said and done, but I do think going for a globetrotting drive with friends sounds like a great afternoon.
Comfortingly Familiar, Charmingly Distinct
Cow’s great. We all love Cow. Just like we love Dolphin and Peepa and all the rest of these odd character choices (was E. Gadd busy? Diddy Kong go back to college? Has anyone checked on the Dr. Mario Viruses?!) It’s clear the most love, though, has gone to the more central and distinct Mushroom Kingdom cast. The variety of costumes, animations, voice samples, and more brings these legends to life in a great way.
It might not be front and center relative to the gameplay aspects, but I genuinely think adapting the more “Mario Wonder” visual look to World is going to go a long way to endearing these characters to an all-new generation of fans. I took time to watch everybody shimmy on the racer select screen, and I’ll be hunting costumes down more than anything once I’m cruising through the full release. I do wish some of that love did extend to the likes of Penguin and Pianta, but maybe the World isn’t ready…
Knockout Tour – The Roughest Low
It wasn’t all blatant greatness and cautious optimism from this preview. At one point during my Switch 2 Experience, I decided to give Knockout Tour another go. Surely it would be fun the second time around? Well. It was, in the sense that it was still a shiny new Mario Kart. Rather than go the distance though, I fizzled out and didn’t last two legs. And that was that. The race went on and I just kinda. Didn’t.
I can see that being mitigated if you’re playing online — just leave the lobby and queue up again. That got me thinking though, about how much I’d enjoy that kind of rally playing in handheld all to myself. Something is definitely taken from the equation, that magic and energy. It’s the same reason I tend to not play Super Smash Bros. online. It feels like an experience that thrives more on local play by its very nature.
Now, an online lobby with friends while in a group chat? That could be a great time, particularly with the greater racer count. And I know there are people that are going to be fine going for those W’s even if they’re playing solo. This could also be my “we get it, you grew up in the N64 era” sensibilities coming out a little more fully. Everybody plays differently, but that particular contrast was definitely palpable.
Mario Kart World releases alongside the Switch 2 on June 5th. Look forward to our full review of the complete version, as well as plenty more on the launch lineup, new amiibo and accessories, and the console itself!
More Mario Kart World and Switch 2
Nintendo reveals why Mario Kart World was not called ‘Mario Kart 9’
Leave a Comment
Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
