There is a lot to love about one of the Nintendo Switch 2’s few first-party launch exclusives,Mario Kart World. Its vastly improved visuals, sprawling open-world, and plethora of new mechanics, not to mention new and familiar courses, all make it look like quite an enjoyable romp. That’s great for those of us who have been playingMario Kart 8since it came out on the Wii U, let alone when it was re-released on the Nintendo Switch eight years ago.
However, as great asMario Kart Worldgenuinely looks, it has its problems. For one, despite looking like a lot of fun for some,MK World’sworld doesn’t feel necessary. More importantly,it is also missing some core features that madeMario Kart 8such a success. While some of these can be done away with as they feel integral to theMario Kart 8experience but less so toWorld’s, some are absolutely necessary, and without them,Mario Kart Worldwill feel like an inferior game.
Mario Kart World Is Missing Racers From Other Games
It Lacks MK 8’s Best DLC Characters
BeforeMario Kart 8came to the Nintendo Switch, it got a handful of DLC that brought over characters from other Nintendo games. Specifically, people could finally race as Isabelle and the Villager fromAnimal Crossing, Inkling Boy and Girl fromSplatoon, and Link fromThe Legend of Zelda. While it didn’t go quite as far as to add Shulk fromXenoblade Chroniclesor Marth fromFire Emblem, these extra characters were a fun addition. They were then bundled into the Deluxe edition of the game, alongside their exclusive tracks.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxewould go on to geteven more DLC racers, including the likes of Pauline fromSuper Mario Odyssey, although, admittedly, no more crossover characters. Unfortunately, despiteMario Kart World’shuge rosterfeaturing potentially over 50 characters,so far, at least, no crossover characters have been spotted. That means those who mained Link, Isabelle, or any of the DLC characters fromMario Kart 8are out of luck, as it doesn’t look like they’ll be inMario Kart World.
Their absence is quite disappointing as it means that, at worst,Mario Kart Worldwill feel quite small and isolated and not quite the celebration thatMario Kart 8 Deluxewas, and at best, they’ll be added as DLC. Introducing crossover characters that already existed in the previousMario Kartas DLC could prove to be controversial, especially consideringMario Kart World’sludicrous pricethat already has fans angry. It is a shame thatMario Kart Worldwon’t have crossover characters, as it makes its base roster feel less impressive.
Mario Kart World’s Roster Is Still Huge
It Has Lots Of Unique Racers
Mario Kart World’sinitial roster, being shown during theSwitch 2 hands-on previews, doesn’t seem all that impressive. This is largely due to the fact that a lot of the available characters are just repeats, albeit in a different outfit. There’s Mario, of course, and then there’s Mario (All-Terrain), for example. However, a lot of internet sleuths have discovered a vast range of other characters from across theMariouniverse, both minor and major, including thebrand-newMario Kartcharacter, Cow.
There are some notable absentees - not counting the crossover characters - including Petey Piranha, the customizable Miis, and the Koopalings, all of which were available inMario Kart 8 Deluxe.While it is a shame that they’ve gone, the sheer number of other racers that have taken their place is pretty impressive, pushingMario Kart World’soverall unique racer count to around 50, at least so far. That’s two more thanMario Kart 8 Deluxe, which, even with all of its DLC, had just 48.
I do think that substituting Link for a Snowman or Isabelle for a Coin Coffer is a little disappointing.
However, as great as all of these unique characters are, and as much as I do genuinely hate to complain - as much as it may not seem like it -I do think that substituting Link for a Snowman or Isabelle for a Coin Coffer is a little disappointing. The smaller characters are great additions, especially as they help celebrate the vastMariouniverse, but the bigger names add a lot of excitement toMario Kartand were a staple of theMario Kart 8 Deluxeexperience. Of course, as aforementioned, that’s where DLC will come in.
Mario Kart World Will Probably Get DLC Racers
Nintendo Will Almost Certainly Release DLC In The Future
WhileMario Kart Worldis lacking crossover characters at the moment,Nintendo will almost certainly introduce several of them via DLC in the coming months and years. TheBooster CourseDLC forMario Kart 8 Deluxeproved to be a success, and Nintendo will want to replicate that withMario Kart World. While it is unclear whether Link, Isabelle, and the others will be sold back to us for a premium, one can likely expect a number of new additions based on the already huge roster available.
There will also hopefully benew themedMK Worldcoursesadded in these DLC, like the Hyrule Circuit that was added with Link.I hope that Nintendo introduces characters we wouldn’t expect, like the aforementioned Shulk fromXenoblade Chroniclesor Samus fromMetroid. It could even bring in third-party characters like it managed to with theSuper Smash Bros.series. One can hardly deny that driving around as Snake fromMetal Gear Solidor Joker fromPersona 5would be a lot of fun.
Mario Kart World Isn’t The Switch 2 Exclusive I’m Most Excited For
Mario Kart World looks fun, but it’s not what I’m most excited for on the Nintendo Switch 2. Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment has my heart.
Each character could even have their ownunique kart inMK World, such as Snake driving a cardboard box or Samus flying in the Gunship. Of course, it is all pure speculation right now and comes with a significant caveat. As much as I would personally love to see more DLC characters added,Nintendo has already pricedMario Kart Worldin such a way that it makes gaming no longer an accessible hobby. Adding the cost of DLC on top of that could make it even less accessible, which would be a genuine shame.
As much as I’d like to point to the relatively cheapBooster CourseDLC as a precedent for Nintendo being reasonable with DLC prices, no one was expecting it to hike up the cost of its base games. One can hope that ifMario Kart Worlddoes get DLC, it remains affordable for all. From a purely selfish point of view, I do sincerely hope thatMario Kart Worldgets crossover characters eventually, as I feel it would help make it the definitive celebration of all things Nintendo on the Switch 2, asSmash Ultimatewas for the original Switch.
