Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 has been the centre of gaming controversy since the April 17th Direct. Mario Kart World is the latest victim to frustrations around games getting more expensive: at $80 USD and £70 pound sterling, this game has been getting a lot of criticism from Nintendo fans, haters and casuals alike. Nintendo is known for being the affordable option in gaming – the family console, the casual gamer console. The console that doesn’t try to compete to have the most modern technology but creates games that people fall in love with – their new console’s release title being $80 USD has throw a spanner in the works for many people. With the affect of tariffs particularly on the US market, there has been ongoing changes to the hardware’s price. But it’s the software price is the hot topic both inside and outside the Nintendo community right now.

I am in the UK, where the console is £399 but with MK World packed in it’s £429.99, making the game roughly £30. If you’re in the UK, this is might be the more affordable way to get the new Mario Kart than purchasing separately. I have seen similar pricing for different countries in Europe with the Mario Kart World bundled Switch 2 price being 30-50 Euros more than just the hardware, making the game the price most people were expecting.

In more fun news – there was a direct showing off everything about Mario Kart World, it does release with the console in less than 2 months. We all need a reason to go out and buy – unless you’re like me and have already pre-ordered the Mario Kart World Switch 2 bundle before the direct even happened.

April 17th Direct for Mario Kart World

  1. It’s open world. The title gives that part away some what and this had been in guesses and predictions for the last couple of years. Mario Kart World is Nintendo’s response to the success of Forza Horizon. They know games are getting bigger, including their own games. Mario Kart World can be explored with friends or alone as well as the racing. There are buttons to be pressed and secrets to be unlocked throughout this world, players are encouraged to go off road, to go off track and find these secret routes, perhaps secret courses and more.
  2. Characters: Very strictly Mario universe characters. There’s still no sign of Link or Tom Nook anywhere. It appears at least for the moment the characters are very much based in the Mario world, creatures and beings. But like everyone is here – Goombas can drive now (they don’t have arms), Lakitu is no longer just the referee but you can race too, and of course the internet’s favourite: Cow.
  3. Outfits: You are what you eat – sort of. Between race tracks or when you’re out exploring the world in the open world mode you can stop by a drive through, what you order unlocks a themed outfit. In the direct we see Mario eat a burger and get dressed up in a Letterman jacket, Peach ate Sushi and was in a beautiful white and pink Kimono. There looks to be different kinds of each food, they mention that there are more drive-thrus in the world and many outfits to be gained from each one.
  4. Racing modes: Grand Prix, VS Race, Time Trials and KnockOut. The previous trailer in the Switch 2 direct showed us KnockOut, it’s an elimination game, the higher you place the better chance you have of making it to the next round. Battles has taken a step back and is now only the Balloon Battles and Coin Runners – so far nothing new on the Battle front.
  5. Rewind Feature: In the middle of a race you can undo and rewind but the other racers still move in real time but you are going backwards. If there’s a jump you want to make or a route you want to try, this is a feature to help you do that, but you will lose your place in the race. With there being many new ways to do tricks – certain routes and rewinding might come with exclusive rewards or achievements
Mario pulling into Yoshi's Drive-thru diner in Mario Kart World
Source: Screenshot by Katie

Overall, Mario Kart World is taking a step back from what we had with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Focusing in on Mario characters, the Mushroom Kingdom, character customization and the world that we are driving in. Which is not a bad move after having everyone and everything in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Do the basics but better than ever before. I was hoping to see something akin to a single player campaign in the direct, but that doesn’t mean that isn’t an update they have coming later down the line.

Mario Kart World is available for pre-order and will be released with the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th 2025.
What do you think about the pricing of Mario Kart World and will you be picking it up on June 5th?