What reviews are saying about Switch 2’s ‘biggest game’ Mario Kart World

Does Mario Kart World live up to the hype?

The Nintendo Switch 2 was finally released this month alongside new games including Mario Kart World.

It marks the first Mario Kart game in a number of years, following up the hugely popular Mario Kart 8.

Some of its features include 30 tracks, up to 24 characters per race and - for the first time ever - free roam on the tracks.

But does Mario Kart World live up to the hype? We've looked at what gaming reviewers and customers have to say about the new game.

• Buy Mario Kart World for Switch 2 here

In its review, My Nintendo News gave the game an 8.5 out of 10, saying: "Mario Kart World certainly isn't lacking in ambition."

They say that the tracks - there are 30 in total - "are expertly crafted and lovingly detailed" and feature "some fantastic set pieces and obstacles to avoid".

Mario Kart World also allows up to 24 characters in each race, the most for any Mario Kart game, which the reviewer says "can occasionally be off-putting".

"But it adds an element of unpredictability that creates a more level playing field for less skilled players," they add.

Another new feature for the game is Free Roam, which allows players to drive across a large map which connects the tracks together, which is described as "seamless and natural".

In an 8 out of 10 review, IGN say Mario Kart World is a "breath of fresh air" but "the biggest reasons it works so well aren't actually its shiny new features".

They add: "It still thrives on the same foundation the definitive kart racer series built its legacy upon: incredible polish, a phenomenal soundtrack, precise controls that are deep but easily approachable, and a timeless ability to generate local multiplayer magic."

In its review the Metro says that Mario Kart 8 - which they gave a 10 out of 10 - is "a very difficult act to follow".

They have some criticism of Mario Kart World's new free roam feature: "The open world is huge and incredibly well designed but it's very poorly utilised, with lots of hidden secrets and yet nothing of substance to gain from them."

But add that the game has "amazingly fun race action that feels substantially different to any other entry, especially in terms of the number of racers and the nature of the tracks".

So far, customers on Amazon have given the game an average rating of 4.1 out of five. One five star reviewer says "it somehow doesn't feel too hectic" despite there being 24 racers, adding that they're "massively enjoying" the game which "looks incredible on a 4K screen".

In a more mixed review, one fan writes, "I can't say I've been blown away with it" but says "it’s definitely the best looking Mario Kart".

Another echoed this, saying they got Mario Kart World as part of a bundle with the Switch 2, noting that the game's £75 price tag "feels quite expensive on its own".

You can purchase Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 here.