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Mario Kart Open World Surprises Fans

Author : Blake Update : Oct 20,2025

Having played only three hours so far, I'm convinced "Mario Kart Knockout Tour" would be a more fitting title than "Mario Kart World." The new last-one-standing race mode genuinely steals the show, injecting fresh tension and mayhem into the chaotic kart racing formula - a game-changing addition that deserves top billing. This makes Nintendo's decision to spotlight the Switch 2 launch title's open world as its main attraction particularly puzzling. While I understand the appeal of breaking free from predetermined tracks - a longtime fan request - my hands-on experience with the free roam mode left me surprisingly disappointed.

Lacking the Horizon Spark

Comparisons to Forza Horizon are inevitable when discussing open-world racers, and rightfully so. Playground Games has perfected the genre, even earning IGN's Game of the Year for their latest installment. Their worlds brim with carefully crafted challenges, wonder, and most crucially, fun - qualities noticeably absent during my 30-minute exploration of Mario Kart World's expansive map. The environment feels hollow, atmospheric depth is missing, and activities seem strangely scarce.

PlayMy free roam adventure mostly involved traversing featureless grasslands, deserts, and calm seas searching for meaningful engagement. While some challenges exist, they quickly revealed themselves as repetitive time-trials. The P Switch challenges, while initially entertaining, soon felt like copy-paste tasks involving coin collection or checkpoint dashes. When most wrap up in 10-15 seconds, their charm swiftly evaporates. Feeling like you've exhausted side content during a preview session doesn't bode well.

The Progression Problem

Rewards for completing these challenges amount to kart stickers - a thin offering when compared to what could be. It's strange Nintendo didn't utilize the open world to hide unlockable characters and vehicles, sticking instead to traditional Grand Prix progression. While you can discover new outfits at Yoshi's restaurants, these are equally accessible through normal racing.

"That magical feeling of discovery - so common in Forza's barn finds or 3D Mario games - simply doesn't materialize here." My most exciting find? A green warp pipe that teleported me 20 meters down the road.

Nintendo Series Tier List

Perhaps I'm just a jaded thirty-something, but I must acknowledge younger players will likely adore this vibrant playground. Even my inner child awakened when hijacking a massive truck Mario Odyssey-style and causing delightful mayhem - a fleeting moment of Nintendo magic that highlights what's missing elsewhere. Dynamic weather, day/night cycles, and adaptive music are nice touches, but they don't translate to actual fun.

World as a Tool, Not a Destination

The open world serves an important structural purpose, connecting tracks creatively and enabling varied course combinations. Knockout Tour particularly benefits from this cross-country design - it wouldn't work nearly as well on repetitive laps. While the world has value, its strengths lie in utility rather than exploration.

Approached as a toy box rather than a Forza Horizon-scale experience, Free Roam offers some enjoyment. But don't expect this $80 world to leave a lasting impression. The racing remains Mario Kart's crown jewel, with Knockout Mode delivering the franchise's freshest excitement in years. This brilliant addition deserves center stage, not to be overshadowed by a comparatively lackluster open world.