Game Information

Game Title: Mario Kart World

Platforms:

  • Nintendo Switch 2 (Jun 5, 2025)

Trailers:

Developer: Nintendo

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 90 average - 100% recommended - 16 reviews

Critic Reviews

Areajugones - Ramón Baylos - Spanish - 9.5 / 10

Mario Kart World is the ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 launch game. This entry goes far beyond anything seen before in the franchise; it’s a true turning point. It’s simply better, offering far more than previous Mario Karts. Try it, or you’ll likely miss out on one of the decade’s best Nintendo games.

CBR - Mark O’Callaghan - 9 / 10

Mario Kart World is proving doubters wrong, as this is the innovation that Mario Kart needed. Even on the surface level, with 4K resolution and 120 FPS, the improvements are here. Because of all the new additions, everything feels more chaotic, and that’s a perfect compliment for any Mario Kart game.

Cubed3 - Jorge Ba-oh - 9 / 10

Does Mario Kart World bring something new to the series? A resounding yes. A reinvigorated setup with connected tracks within a bustling, vibrant, next-generation Super Mario Bros world. Mario Kart World is vibrant, playful, and truly feels alive. A compelling solo mode, knockout competition, and strong online play make it an essential Nintendo Switch 2 title.

Dexerto - James Busby - 4 / 5

It’s such a shame that the key selling point of the Mario Kart Switch 2 game, its open world, falls a bit flat, because pretty much everything else is so, so good. Ok, the lack of kart customization bothers me a little, but with a crazier cast of characters, fun items, and incredibly imaginative tracks, the racing is as good as it has ever been.

And in Knockout Tour’s hectic 24-player battle royale-style matches, it’s even better, proving that Nintendo can still deliver surprises that completely change the way we play its iconic games. I never thought I needed or wanted a BR-style mode in Mario Kart, and now I’m sitting here questioning why it’s never been added before. If only it had been called Mario Kart Knockout, eh?

Forbes - Ollie Barder - 9 / 10

Overall, Mario Kart World is a huge undertaking, but it still offers the classic Mario Kart progression we’ve all grown up with. Whether this will sell as much as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains to be seen, but from the off, Mario Kart World definitely has an enormous amount of content to wrap your head around, and the multiplayer will likely keep it an evergreen release for years to come, much like the other games in the series have been.

Fun Factor - Diogo Arez - Portuguese - 8.5 / 10

Mario Kart World marks the beginning of a new console generation for Nintendo, and with it come several new introductions like Free Roam and Knockout Tour, with the latter being an amazing game mode. That said, some strange design choices in the grand prix and a lack of meaningful content at launch make the price point hard to recommend it outside of the console bundle.

GAMES.CH - Benjamin Braun - German - 85%

Quote not yet available

Gameliner - Rudy Wijnberg - Dutch - 4.5 / 5

Mario Kart World is a worthy successor to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, combining classic racing fun with fresh mechanics, a connecting open world, an expansive roster, and a brilliant Battle Royale mode—making it a joy for players of all ages.

Gamersky - 心灵奇兵 - Chinese - 8.8 / 10

Mario Kart World is a solid and well-crafted addition to the long-running series. It faithfully preserves the franchise’s time-tested pillars-tight driving mechanics, brilliantly designed tracks, and that chaotic yet irresistible item system-all of which continue to deliver moments of pure, laugh-out-loud joy.

Gfinity - Alister Kennedy - 8 / 10

If you are looking for the best Nintendo game at launch for Switch 2, look no further, but for fans of 8, you may need to wait for Mario Kart World to make the podium.

Netto’s Game Room - Benjamin Bell - Essential

Mario Kart World is an outstanding new entry in the long running series, and it is a worthy launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. Its unique gameplay prevents it from being a replacement for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and allows for both games to exist on the same console side by side. Anyone who enjoys Mario Kart should for sure give this one a chance, and it is the perfect introduction for new players as well.

Nindie Spotlight - Justin Nation - 9.4 / 10

Unquestionably still the gold standard in kart racing, World makes some bold swings but there were some costs that came with them

Rocket Chainsaw - Adam Ghiggino - 4 / 5

Mario Kart World is still an excellent opener for the Switch 2’s life cycle, and one that people will likely find themselves coming back to for quite some time to come.

SECTOR.sk - Matúš Štrba - Slovak - 9.5 / 10

Mario Kart World is all about big numbers’tons of content, characters, vehicles, power-ups, tracks, and music. It all adds up to countless hours of fun, making this a game you’ll be coming back to for years.

Stevivor - Steve Wright - 9 / 10

Let’s just hope that Nintendo can broaden what’s available in-game quickly, akin to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While we’re waiting for more Switch 2 games, we need more World.

The Games Machine - Paolo Besser - Italian - 9.5 / 10

Mario Kart World evolves the iconic series with interconnected tracks, expanded multiplayer chaos, and a thrilling mix of exploration and competition - all while staying true to its fun, frantic roots.