Mario Kart World Takes a Page From Forza Horizon’s Playbook

April 3, 2025 Andrew Beckford

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct has come and gone, and we finally have more information on what’s likely to be its best-selling launch title, Mario Kart World. Mario Kart 8 is the best-selling racing game of all time so it’s no surprise that Nintendo would want to launch the Switch 2 console with a new entry to the series. Let’s break down everything we know (so far) about Mario Kart World, the good and the bad.

Mario Kart (Open) World

In the biggest change from its predecessor, Mario Kart World is adopting an open-world format (hence the name). It’s no longer about picking individual tracks anymore but free roaming the Mario Kart World and exploring its different locals. Courses are built within the world, but players can freely drive from one to the next and everywhere in between. That open world racing formula is arguably a significant factor in the success of Microsoft’s Forza Horizon games. Nintendo is sure to put its own twist on the format, but the comparison can’t be ignored.

In another similarity to other open-wheel racers, Mario Kart World will have a day and night cycle and weather effects. Though it’s unclear if the weather is dynamic or perpetual depending on the different regions of the map.

More Racers More Choices

Mario Kart World is leverages the Nintendo Switch 2’s increased processing power allowing for 24 player races which is double the max grid in Mario Kart 8. That should make for some pretty frantic and frenzied gameplay in certain game modes which I’ll dive into later. In addition to the increased race grid, players will have more choices when picking their racer of choice. Mario Kart World has over 70 characters to choose from, whereas Mario Kart 8 Deluxe‘s roster maxed out at 48.

From what’s been seen so far, there’s somewhere between 12 and 24 different vehicles to race with. However, it appears that Nintendo did away with the customization feature. Previously players can mix and match, chassis, wheels, and glider attachments with each part changing overall vehicle stats. Now, stats are locked to each individual vehicle.

I’m of two-minds on that change personally. On the one hand, it streamlines and simplifies the process of choosing a vehicle. On the other hand, it takes away a form of expression in which players could make the kart their own. However, players can now customize the look of the racers themselves via different outfits that are probably unlocked through races and found on the map.

The vehicles can also perform new tricks when taking jumps and have the ability to wall-ride, and grind on rails skateboard style.

New and Returning Game Modes

The classic Grand Prix mode returns to Mario Kart World but with a new twist that leverages the game’s open world. Like before, there are four races in each grand prix event and players can choose to run in the 50cc, 100cc, or 150cc class. However, each course in the grand prix will be connected via the open world and after one race is over players race each other to the next course.

Then there’s the Knockout Tour mode. In a Knockout Tour, players run one long point-to-point race across different regions of the map with back markers eliminated after each checkpoint. As you probably guessed by now, as the checkpoints progress so does position cut-off, so you’ll need to make sure you’re racing harder as each checkpoint passes. With 24 players on the course at once, the Knockout Tour has potential for frenetic gameplay.

Finally, there’s the Free Roam mode which is exactly what it sounds like. Players can freely explore the open world alone or with online friends. It wasn’t specifically mentioned, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there are secrets to discover hidden throughout the map. There’s also a photo mode so that players can take pictures of the environment or even pose for a photo with other online racers.

There was no mention of battle mode, which is surprising considering it has been a fan-favorite since the first Mario Kart game on the Super Nintendo console. I doubt Nintendo would actually release a major Mario Kart game without a battle mode. So, why wasn’t it mentioned? I suspect that adapting Battle Mode to the new open-world format is something that Nintendo thinks needs more time to explain than it had during this past event.

Nintendo has scheduled a Mario Kart World-focused Direct for April 17^th, so if there is a Battle Mode to speak of, it will likely be revealed then.

Mario Kart World is $80? Wait, What?!

Mario Kart World’s biggest surprise came later when it was revealed that the digital version of the game will be $79.99 USD. Not only is that $20 more than Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but it’s also $10 to $20 than the average going rate for so-called “Triple A” new release video games. With inflation and other factors increasing the cost of making games it’s not totally surprising to see that Mario Kart World would retail for more than its predecessor. Though, I don’t think many thought it would hit the $80 mark.

However, Nintendo also revealed that there will be a $499.99 Switch 2 bundle that will come with a digital copy of Mario Kart World. Considering that the Switch 2 console’s base price is $449.99, you’d be getting roughly $30 off Mario Kart World’s regular retail price. It’s a clever strategy from Nintendo to encourage more Switch 2 sales at launch, though it’s also quite controversial.

Mario Kart World comes out June 5^th, along side the Nintendo Switch 2 console, but as previously mentioned, more info is slated to release on April 17^th so stay tuned.