The Nintendo Switch 2, while receiving backlash for some of their pricing choices, has gained a lot of hype as a system following their hour-long Nintendo Direct on April 2nd. One of the games receiving the most hype is Mario Kart World, the newest Mario Kart entry for the franchise and the first since Mario Kart 8 was released in 2014. The game did receive a deluxe version in 2017 and new courses and characters with DLC for Nintendo Online Plus subscribers. Nintendo also released the mobile game Mario Kart Tour in 2019, but fans have been waiting a long time for a completely fresh mainline release.
The $79.99 announced pricetag for Mario Kart World has many fans fuming, but everything else about the game has received positive reactions from the trailer that was released.
Details Released About Mario Kart World
So far, we have seen some interesting clips about changes coming to Mario Kart World. First, the graphics themselves are improved. This includes new, cleaner character and cart designs, as well as larger tracks than the game has seen to date. Not only are the tracks bigger, with some new tracks to explore that many Nintendo fans will appreciate, but the tracks are also essentially open-world, meaning you can explore both on and off road and even travel from one track to another during the Grand Prix.
The open-world concept is a fresh new twist to the series, one that should add a whole bunch of excitement and intrigue to a classic franchise. However, another massive change is the number of racers that can enter at one time. Previously, races were contained to 8 different karts, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe expanding that to 12 in online play. World will blow that out of the water, with a staggering 24 karts racing at a time. The chaos that is likely to ensue has gamers drooling with anticipation.
Mario Kart World To Have A Massive Character Roster
Aside from the changes in design, one of the biggest questions fans have been wondering is, what characters will be present in the new Mario Kart World? Well, we have since received some confirmation, and it seems that the roster is going to be pretty humungous.
First, nearly every single character in Mario Kart 8 will be returning to the roster. Although metallic and power-up characters are not returning to the game, they will be replaced with an expanded number of wearable costumes. Other characters that did not make the cut were the seven Koopalings, plus Wiggler and Petey Piranha. Mario Kart 8‘s guest characters are also missing, consisting of Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link, Dry Bowser, Isabelle, and the Villager. In total, that is 18 cuts.
However, there are going to be 24 additions to replace these characters, which will set the Mario Kart World roster as the largest non-mobile roster in franchise history. Among the new additions are Hammer Bro, Monty Mole, Goomba, and Cheep Cheep. The collection of new adds seems to be focused on the lesser-known characters of the series, typically monster minions. None of the 24 have appeared in the series outside of Mario Kart Tour mobile.
The full list of confirmed characters can be found below. It is possible that additional characters could be added later or through DLC content, similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However, the game has plenty of new toys to play with and a new and updated sandbox to play with them in. That should get every Mario Kart fan hyped for the release, if they can muster the motivation to pay the $80 price tag, at least.
Returning Racers:
Mario
Luigi
Princess Peach
Princess Daisy
Wario
Waluigi
Bowser
Toad
Toadette
Yoshi
Rosalina
Pauline
Shy Guy
Koopa Troopa
Bowser Jr.
Birdo
Donkey Kong
Baby Mario
Baby Luigi
Baby Peach
Baby Daisy
Baby Rosalina
King Boo
Lakitu
Dry Bones
New Racers:
Goomba
Spike
Cataquack
Pokey
Chargin’ Chuck
Nabbit
Monty Mole
Hammer Bro
Moo-Moo
Pianta
Para-Biddybud
Stingby
Penguin
Cheep-Cheep
Conkdor
Snowman
Sidestepper
Peepa
Swoop
Dolphin
Coin Coffer
Fish Bone
Rocky Wrench
Piranha Plant
