The Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event currently underway at the Grand Palais in Paris includes Mario Kart World prominently featured on a dedicated stage, with an impressive number of playable cabinets available. The game is designed for multiplayer, supporting up to 24 players, and Nintendo aims to demonstrate its entertaining capabilities by showcasing it with numerous participants. Throughout the day, several test sessions were organized to assess various aspects of the game. We began with some races from the Grand Prix mode to explore the new handling features, items, and expanded track options. Changes in physics make the playability different from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, necessitating players to relearn certain fundamentals. However, muscle memory quickly returns, although the ability to grind on road edges will change some driving techniques.
Next, Nintendo provided an opportunity to test the free-roam mode, which allows for exploration of the open world, transition between different biomes, driving on various surfaces, and interaction with other competitors. Following this, we had the chance to experience the ‘Survival’ mode, officially named ‘Knockout,’ featuring a large 24-player race with multiple eliminations at each new checkpoint. The game highlights the minimum space required to avoid lag issues, and it is worth noting that enjoyment was immediate upon playing. This demonstrates that the Mario Kart franchise continues to bring players together, and even just a few minutes of gameplay can stimulate dopamine production in the body. All these aspects are showcased in our comprehensive gameplay video of the ‘Survival’ mode.
The release of Mario Kart World is anticipated for June 5, 2025, coinciding with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. At the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event held at Grand Palais in Paris, Mario Kart World was showcased, featuring up to 24-player multiplayer across multiple cabinets. The game introduces new handling mechanics, items, and expanded tracks, necessitating players to adapt to changes from its predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Test sessions included Grand Prix mode races for initial familiarization, free-roam mode for open-world exploration, and the ‘Survival’ (or ‘Knockout’) mode with large-scale elimination races. Although warnings were issued about the required space to avoid lag issues, all attendees reported immediate enjoyment, underscoring Mario Kart’s enduring appeal in bringing players together. A complete gameplay video of the ‘Survival’ mode is available for further insight into its mechanics and overall experience.
