Nintendo is likely aiming to regain a positive buzz for the Switch 2 by showcasing its new flagship game, Mario Kart World. On April 17th, the company hosted a Mario Kart World direct presentation, revealing 15 minutes of gameplay that highlighted several of the game’s innovative features.
Mario Kart World introduces a slew of new tracks, including Mario Bros Circuit, a desert-themed course featured prominently in promotional videos; Crown City, an urban-inspired track; and Salty Salty Speedway, one of the water levels. The game will also bring back fan favorites like Peach Beach and Wario Shipyard. Additionally, Nintendo teased that completing all the Grand Prix cups will unlock a "certain colorful course," likely referring to the legendary Rainbow Road.
New features and items add excitement to the races. You can now use the feather item to jump over attacks, and a new rewind feature allows players to turn back time to perfect missed tricks or discover hidden areas. In free roam mode, players can uncover secrets such as P-switches and panels, unlocking overworld missions. Nintendo is pulling out all the stops to make Mario Kart World a standout title for the Switch 2 — if only it were available for pre-order in the U.S.
Unfortunately, some games, including Mario Kart World, will surpass the $70 mark, priced at $80. Adding to the frustration, U.S. consumers currently cannot pre-order the Switch 2 due to tariffs, a delay also affecting Canada. Although Nintendo has not announced when pre-orders will be available in these countries, the console is still slated for a June 5th release, with Mario Kart World debuting alongside it.
