The Switch 2’s Biggest Launch Title

Mario Kart World was revealed alongside over 50+ games today during the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.

The kart racer was the only title showed of in the very brief announcement of the Switch 2 earlier in the year. This game is a follow up to the massively successful Mario Kart 8 Deluxe which originally came out on the WiiU but was quickly ported over to the original Switch and updated consistently throughout the lifespan of the Switch.

New World New Styles

This new game features new ways to play the game with exciting traversal options including grinding on rails and wall riding. The game also features an open world where you can freely roam around with friends and explore the vast and diverse scenery. The game also seems to feature costume changes that seem to come in all sorts of different styles, will this affect game play or is just a stylistic option that adds to the looks of the characters as they drive from one biome to another. The follow up Mario Kart World Direct on the 17th of April will hopefully tell us more.

Additionally the open world ties into the standard kart race formula with each race having direct connection to the next, meaning the exciting fast paced racing doesn’t stop between levels like it normally would.

Online Play – GameChat

The new c-button that has been added to the Switch 2 Joy-Cons and Pro Controller allows players to enter into a party where players can team up and play together or play totally different games all while being on voice chat together. Mario Kart World is a good fit for this new feature as the franchise has typically been best when played as a group.

A Flagship Release

With some classic characters like DK being redesigned for future titles and up to 24 drivers which is the most in the series history, Mario Kart World is shaping up to be a very big title to push the new Switch 2 console towards success for Nintendo. Typically for Nintendo they have seen their biggest hits when launch titles include Mario platformers or The Legend of Zelda (or both). Time will tell if Mario Kart is now big enough on its own to bring a strong start for the next generation for Nintendo’s game catalogue.