Mario Kart World may be one of the biggest launch titles when it arrives this Summer. For those keen on more gameplay, the Treehouse: Live stream showcases various changes and additions. Check it out below.
One of the biggest differences from Mario Kart 8 is no longer choosing individual Kart parts, but each vehicle still has unique stats. You can still choose between 50, 100 and 150 CC for each Cup in the Grand Prix, and there’s a brief flyover of the courses you’ll race on.
The new items include the Coin Shell, which creates Coins on impact, and the Feather for jumping high. Items are held behind the player without having to hold down the button. You can also leverage tricks like the Rail Ride and Wall Ride, building up boost to gain an edge, and even perform multiple tricks mid-air.
Dynamic rain and day/night cycles are showcased, and Mario’s hat gets wet in the rain. Come in first during a race, and a crown appears on your character’s head. When starting the second race, you drive to it against other competitors. You’re essentially traversing the highway with oncoming traffic, ramps and boost pads.
As a result, the whole world feels like one massive course during a Grand Prix Cup. Banners for Mario TV appear, adding to the sports-like presentation. When it comes to the new courses, one of the more notable is DK Spaceport, which gives off old-school Donkey Kong and Jumpman vibes (complete with a Robo DK throwing barrels).
For a more relaxing atmosphere, press the Plus button to jump into Free Roam. Lakitu won’t pick you up if you go off-course, which means driving anywhere. You can see other courses on the World Map and fast travel to them. The mode is ideal for practice, and you’ll encounter other racers.
Mario Kart World launches on June 5th alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, and will retail for $79.99.
