On Nintendo consoles, games Mario map are a real institution. It is therefore not surprising that Mario Kart World came to establish itself as the first major exclusivity of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5. But the context in which this opus arrives is unique. By omitting Mario Kart Tour (which remains fundamentally a mobile game), Mario Kart World is the first title of the franchise to follow Mario map 8… After more than ten years. To put the context back, only three years separate most episodes, with the exception of Mario map 64 et Mario Kart Super Circuit who were five -year -old spaced.
Even if Nintendo took care to rework Mk8 When it was released in Deluxe version on Switch, the fact is that the cult racing game stagnated for a whole decade. Say that the first contact with Mario Kart World had the effect of a slap would be an understatement. As a veterans of the Opus Switch and Wii U, the grip of the youngest quickly got the better of our good faith, enough to reduce us to the state of an old grumpy unable to pronounce something other than “It was better before!”.
But since there are only koopas that do not change their minds, our perseverance has ended up paying off. The problem does not come from the game, but rather from the links that gamers have woven with its predecessor.
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Say goodbye to 11 years of reflexes: it is not easy
Launch his first race on Mario Kart Worldit’s a bit like driving in a universe where the highway code would have changed suddenly without anyone being aware. The physics of vehicles, their transformations, objects and even the circuits of yesteryear: the reflexes are there, but nothing seems to work as before. However, it is not as if the franchise had not accustomed us to changes. With the exception of Mario map 7 et 8 Who share the same DNA, each title offers its own gameplay and identity. Thus, even if the Opus Switch 2 wants to be revolutionary between its open world and its races at 24 (among so many other novelties), veterans should not cringe against these overhaul.
And since Mario map Never destabilized us at this point, our first reflex was to think that it is a bad game. Infallible logic, right? Well not really. Mario Kart World Suffices very clearly from faults to which we will come back, but to understand the real assets and weaknesses of this game, we first had to swallow our pride. Get beaten by boots in Grand Prix mode after eleven years to ride a master on Mario Kart 8 Deluxeit doesn’t please anyone. Go from first place to the 20ᵉ at the slightest blue shell either. Mwell, it’s not because the codes of Mario map have just been turned upside down that World is a bad game, far from it. It is actually the time that plays tricks on us. Let players wait for 11 years has only reinforced their expectations, while supporting Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Like an unbeatable episode. Then necessarily: the defects of the successor are exacerbated as much as possible.
A friendly but anecdotal world
To start, the open world on which Mario Kart World Base all its identity is far from up to par. While we imagined a Mario map sauce Burnout Paradisethe ride mode that Nintendo offers us seems almost secondary. Its functioning is more of a sandbox at the Skate 3or a good fun of fun… Depending on the standards of the 2010 open worlds. We can venture everywhere and make lots of figures, of course, but the environment seems too empty and certain missions are repetitive. By adding to that a lack of clarity on the map, the impossibility of placing tags to better find your way or even the absence of excursions in local multiplayer: the open world of Mario Kart World is imperfect, there is no doubt.
But as an additional fashion, and also as the first attempt of the genre, does the walk mode deserve to weigh so much in the scale of criticism? The answer is not obvious. Players could simply ignore this novelty in favor of classic aspects of Mario map. Only, this new structure influences the whole title, including classic modes. The walk and the open world therefore have a share of responsibility on the side of defects that are really disturbing.
First of all: the new organization of the cuts, which integrate the path between each circuit in the number of towers. Finally, the Grand Prix mode gives the impression of spending your time on the road to avoid obstacles, rather than enjoying the circuits and getting to know them. Also, the width of the circuits and routes sometimes suggests that we drive straight for too long. And when there are 24 players and therefore all the more objects to avoid on this kind of linear course, the race quickly takes on unfair war.
24 players is too much
But the real false good idea of Mario Kart Worldit is his passage from 12 to 24 pilots per race. Yes, the world and the circuits are vast, but this space does not need to be occupied by more players. 24 This is the number of tribes in Hunger Gamesand that’s exactly what we feel behind the wheel in this Mario map : The impression of being in a merciless Battle Royale. Each pilot being able to accumulate two objects (as in MK 8 Deluxe), the first and the last avoid most of the chaos, while from 4th to 20th place, it does not spend a second without a fatal collision.
Objects have never seemed so numerous and little balanced, so much so that the gameplay is almost party game rather than racing game. The problem could be solved by offering players to choose between races at 12 or 24. Nintendo has nevertheless chosen to omit this option Who, as we hope, will be introduced in update soon.
The Mario map the most technical (and innovative) to date
However, Mario Kart World Has major assets that end up convincing us in the long run. After having made peace with the chaos of the races and the secondary character of the walk mode, it must be admitted that Physics and sensations at the wheel have never been so good. By removing customizable vehicles, Mario map Coming back to a simpler recipe to find the pilot/vehicle combination most suited to our desires in just a few races. This accessibility allows us to focus on the new possibilities offered by the game, namely figures on site, passages on rails and jumps on the walls.
Freedom of movement is so impressive that in the space of a few weeks, players have already managed to develop stunning shortcuts. In the future, Mario Kart World promises to become the most competitive opus in the franchise, Which is great news for gamers looking for a challenge. Besides, the excellent survival mode introduced for the first time in this opus also goes in this direction. On Mario Kart 8 Deluxeeverything was due to learning the perfect trajectory to the nearest pixel for each circuit, while MK World prefers to reward audacity and risk -taking. Unfortunately, this may disappoint players more “casual”Who might feel taken aback during online games.
A faultless artistic direction
On the positive side of the balance, it is also necessary to mention the artistic direction of Mario Kart World. Since the first trailer, the aesthetics of the title has been unanimous and the charm of the game is even more striking jackers in hand. With new cartoony designs, worked and unique animations (even for some skins), more detailed circuits than ever and breathtaking music, this opus is a real breath of fresh air. What remind us that this franchise is not only a release for evenings with friends, but also and above all a summary of what Nintendo does best.
Forcing yourself to appreciate it, is it healthy?
Visually, musically and mechanically, Mario Kart World Already has all the ingredients to become the most memorable opus to date. Only here: The execution is still far from perfect. Following a disconcerting first impressions, the game ended up revealing a potential that we cannot ignore. But it is a shame to have to do violence for the first time to reach this conclusion.
There is no doubt that this difficult transition must be attributed to the eleven years that separate Mario Kart World From his predecessor, but Nintendo also has his role to play. Its lately lacking little lack of customization and balancing options, concerns that can be easily corrected using updates. So, the potential iconic status of Mario Kart World is in the hands of the Kyoto firm. Will the developers stay on their positions or listen to returns? Verdict in the coming months and years.
Price and availability
Mario Kart World is available since June 5 at the recommended price of € 89.99. This price had not failed to debate when it was announced, but the physical version is already marketed at other more attractive rates in certain resellers.
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