The release of Switch 2 has already been a massive success for Nintendo, despite initial concerns, partially thanks to its combined release with Mario Kart World as its primary first-party launch title. Regardless of how widely successful a console release is, having a strong launch title is a surefire way to leave a lasting impression and keep players coming back for more over time. Although Mario Kart World is arguably the best entry we’ve had in the series to date, Mario Kart World still feels like a strange launch choice for Nintendo, especially given their past offerings.
Given how few first-party Nintendo titles came alongside the Switch 2’s release, it’s easy to see why Mario Kart World was one of June’s most anticipated games. Offering its largest roster yet, a sense of scale never seen before with its open world, and adrenaline-pumping gameplay mechanics, Mario Kart World is no doubt one of Switch 2’s most fun titles to keep coming back to. Even with how much fun there is to be had with Mario’s latest and greatest racing game, Mario Kart World’s gameplay loop doesn’t scratch the same itch as launch titles of the past.
Mario Kart World Is More Fun In Shorter Bursts
There’s Only So Much Gameplay Variation With A Franchise Like Mario Kart
No matter how many fun-filled mechanics or track variety there is to experience in a game like Mario Kart World, it’s not exactly a game with enough staying power to keep me engaged for weeks on end. Much of the joy to be had with the Mario Kart franchise comes from picking up the game and playing it in short bursts at a time, whether solo or with a friend. Combined with the Switch 2’s portability, a game like Mario Kart World has even greater potential for routine races on the go, but it still struggles with long-term sessions.
Mario Kart World has even greater potential for having routine races on the go, but it still struggles with justifying long-term gaming sessions.
Even with its complaints, Mario Kart World has already made several massive overhauls to improve the gameplay variety, most notably with the introduction of its free-roam mechanics. While the exploration in this mode isn’t on the same level as a fully dedicated game like Breath of the Wild, it’s still a fantastic way to get more enjoyment out of the game while discovering more than a few special surprises.
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Mario Kart World Doesn’t Use The Switch 2’s Best New Feature
Mario Kart World has many exciting new gameplay modes, but it unfortunately won’t be using one of the Nintendo Switch 2’s best new features.
Adding more variety by discovering new tracks or simply taking in the sights on a carefree joyride, there’s more content to experience than ever in Mario Kart World, although it’s still held back somewhat by the core gameplay loop relying on individual races. This isn’t to say that Mario Kart World doesn’t have the potential for a large amount of replayability, but its greatest strengths are best seen when hopping back onto the track over the years for some action-packed races with friends.
Big Adventures Are Perfect For Launch Titles
An Expansive Adventure Keeps Players Busy Until More Games Are Released
What makes the Switch 2’s launch title choice even more jarring is how monumental of a release the original Switch provided, offering with it the groundbreaking Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Being one of Nintendo’s most ambitious releases to date, BOTW could easily become your sole Switch gaming experience for months on end, being perfect for late-night gaming binges. Filled to the brim with collectibles, secrets, and unique locations to explore, it’s easy to see why some players could sink hundreds of hours into Link’s greatest outing, tying players over while waiting for future game releases.
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Nintendo Switch 2’s Launch Games Compared To The Original Switch’s: Which Console Has The Better Launch?
With the Nintendo Switch 2 finally getting its full launch lineup, it’s hard not to compare it to the original console given their similarities.
Going back to past Nintendo console releases, it’s not hard to find large-scale adventures that could easily get you lost in the feeling of an adventure for hours at a time. Even on the Mario side of things, both the Nintendo 64 and GameCube had significant launch titles to go alongside them, with both Super Mario 64 and Luigi’s Mansion, respectively. Similar to Breath of the Wild, the Wii’s release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was a fantastic title to show off the console’s hardware with a large-scale adventure, making for a satisfying companion to the new console.
Twilight Princess was a fantastic title to show off the console’s hardware with a large-scale adventure.
While it’s easy to pick out the best launch titles from Nintendo’s long history, even the controversial release of the Wii U and its Super Mario Bros. U launch title featured plenty of environments to explore, despite the overall experience being shorter than more recent titles. There’s no doubt that Mario Kart World’s open world is a massive step in the right direction for the series that makes great use of the Switch 2’s hardware, but there’s only so much you can explore without resorting to standard races.
Donkey Kong Bananza Could Have Been Perfect
Marking The Switch 2’s Release With An Ambitious New Series
Compared to an excellent pick-up and play party game like Mario Kart World, an expansive adventure like Donkey Kong Bananza would have been a much more impactful way to kick off the Switch 2’s release. Even though Nintendo has had little trouble selling the new console, pairing it with a game like Donkey Kong Bananas would have been an excellent way to sway buyers still waiting for a single-player experience to justify upgrading to a Switch 2.
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Donkey Kong Bananza – Release Date, Price, & Gameplay Details
We just got a ton of new information about the Nintendo Switch 2, but one announcement that I was not expecting was a new 3D Donkey Kong game.
By far one of the most common complaints following the Switch 2 Direct was the lack of any news regarding a follow-up to the beloved Super Mario Odyssey, which felt like a surefire choice for a best-selling launch title. While it will likely be some time before the highly anticipated sequel comes to fruition, Donkey Kong Bananza feels like the perfect game to satisfy the same adventurous feeling as one of the previous console’s most standout titles. The new storyline presented in Bananza could also keep the game’s relevancy alive even longer, seemingly acting as a prequel to Mario Odyssey.
One of the most common complaints following the Switch 2 Direct was the lack of any news regarding a follow-up to the beloved Super Mario Odyssey.
With the potential to learn from the greatest strengths and fix the weaknesses of Mario Odyssey, the gorgeous environments and unique adventure mechanics in Nintendo’s upcoming collectathon easily make Donkey Kong Bananza one of my most anticipated Switch 2 releases. Unfortunately, despite offering some incredible gaming experiences over the years, the Donkey Kong franchise isn’t nearly as popular as Mario’s various outings, making it not too surprising that Nintendo prioritized Mario Kart World instead.
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Switch 2’s Lack Of A New 3D Mario Game Might Have One Major Benefit
The lack of a new 3D Mario title from the Switch 2 was a massive shock, but its alternative offerings could even surpass the likes of Mario Odyssey.
Adding more weight to Nintendo’s choice of Mario Kart World as the Switch 2’s debut launch title were likely the sales numbers for its predecessor, as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the number one bestseller on the original Switch by a landslide. From a pure numbers point of view, Mario Kart World was easily the safest launch title choice for Nintendo, but it still feels like a missed opportunity not to celebrate the monumental Switch 2 release with a memorable adventure game to last for years to come.
Mario Kart World
9/10
Released
June 5, 2025
ESRB
Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Nintendo
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
Prequel(s)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe