Nintendo Fans Outraged by Major Mario Kart Online Patch

Nintendo has updated Mario Kart World, altering how online course selection works—a decision that goes against the wishes of many fans and reflects the mixed reception the game's open world has received overall.

Version 1.1.2 of Mario Kart World launched last night, and Nintendo's patch notes mention an adjustment to "courses selected in Random when selecting the next course in a wireless VS Race."

Although the wording is a bit unclear, this appears to be a deliberate change by Nintendo to limit the game's Random course selection option in VS mode—something many players used to avoid 'intermission tracks' whenever possible.

What exactly is an intermission track? It's a fan-coined term for the often lengthy stretches of open-world travel required to reach a nearby course before racing just a single lap. The game typically suggests these nearby courses for the next race, meaning players usually have to complete an intermission track—unless they use the Random option, which picks a course from further away.

Fans had been relying on the Random setting to skip intermission tracks and instead get transported directly to distant courses, where they could experience the traditional three-lap Mario Kart race.

Now, with this update, the Random option also selects from the nearby courses the game recommends—making distant tracks less likely to appear and increasing the chances of intermission tracks being played.

As discussed in a lengthy thread on the Restera forum, this change contradicts how many players prefer to enjoy Mario Kart World online: by consistently racing three laps on a course in VS mode, rather than just one after a lengthy open-world drive.

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Nintendo likely implemented this change in response to player behavior, as anecdotal evidence suggested the Random option was becoming increasingly popular. The update has since sparked a wave of criticism.

"Nintendo has effectively stepped in and said, 'No, you're supposed to play the game our way,'" wrote one fan, GreenMamba. "They noticed players requesting a more traditional online experience and did the exact opposite."

The same user pointed out that the adjustment might make Mario Kart World's beloved Rainbow Road track even more uncommon online. Considered by many to be the game's standout course, Rainbow Road is only accessible via its specific Grand Prix in the main open world, so fans hoping to race it online must now rely on Random selection with even slimmer odds.

"Good luck ever getting to play Rainbow Road online again," GreenMamba continued. "Thanks, I hate it," commented another player. "Let people race three-lap courses if they want." A third added, "It feels like Nintendo isn't really listening to feedback on this."

Some fans have proposed that Nintendo introduce a dedicated three-lap VS option alongside the current modes. Others believe intermission tracks should remain exclusive to the Knockout Tour mode.

Mario Kart World's open world does have its appeal—it's a peaceful space to unwind after intense races and holds plenty of secrets to uncover—but players have consistently pointed out that the long travel segments between main tracks simply aren't as engaging.

"The highways aren't necessarily bad—some can be quite enjoyable—but they're often very wide and straight, leading to extended sections that lack the challenge and excitement of the dedicated race courses," IGN noted in its Mario Kart World review.

For now, it looks like players can expect to encounter more of these open highways during VS mode sessions—though it remains to be seen what Nintendo's long-term vision is for Mario Kart World.

For more tips, check out our Mario Kart World guide. Learn how to unlock every hidden character, understand Kamek Unlocks to gain access to NPC Drivers, and find all the Mario Kart World food items scattered across the open world to permanently unlock outfits and costumes.