Mario Kart Universe (Nintendo Switch 2)

Alright, buckle up—let’s dive into this chaotic ride through Mario Kart World on the Switch 2. I’ve been zooming around this digital playground, and man, it’s been weeks of pure adrenaline. I mean, are we still pedal to the metal, or have some of you drifted into neutrality? Now that the first sparkles have faded, let’s pop the hood and see what’s really going on.

So, it’s been ages since the last new Mario Kart showed up, right? World’s got a lot to live up to, and it’s kinda nailing it with a whopping 24 rides to choose from. Feels crowded, sure, but since the tracks are wide open, it’s not like you’re packed in a sardine can hoping not to get hit by the baddie in 13th place.

Anyway, you can race alone, with pals, or dive into the online madness. Those last two options might just keep this game buzzing for the whole life of the Switch 2. I remember the first time I jumped online with some buddies—it was smoother than expected. Like, smooth enough that I actually won some rounds! Rare moment, let me tell you. You can tweak your chat windows too, which is neat. But yeah, maybe start alone to find your groove.

Ah, the comfort of the familiar. Grand Prix, Time Trials, and VS Race are all here, minus the 200cc chaos. Even at 150cc, it’s not forgiving. But everyone’s raving about the new Knockout Tour—it’s intense. Imagine a sprint with no stops, nothing but pure focus. Quite a thrill, if you ask me. Just a tip: before diving in, check your settings. “Smart Steering” is oddly on by default.

Switching gears here—Battle mode feels like it’s lagging behind. Only got Balloon Battle and Coin Runners right now. Kinda meh if you ask me. Some of the tracks echo the launch of Mario Kart 8, which I didn’t mind back then, but it’s a bit of a throwback now. I’ve loved Battle since the Mario Kart 64 days—hopefully, it gets some extra love soon.

Oh, and speaking of hidden gems, there’s this tiny map icon at the bottom of the main screen that lets you wander the whole map. Who hid this gem? I totally missed it at first. Maybe Nintendo’s pushing the Knockout Tour more? Just a hunch.

Free Roam is turning heads, and surprisingly, it’s chill. Yep, “relaxing” is a word I’d use. Cruise around, snag coins or just hunt for cool photo spots while soaking in the sunset. Sometimes I want to ditch the kart and just wander, you know?

Roaming doesn’t mean clueless wandering, though. Those pesky P Switches add some challenge. Some are tough nuts to crack. They like, test your jumping skills and introduce new moves like rail riding. Color me intrigued, though their execution feels a tad incomplete right now. A few updates could really give this mode a boost.

Speaking of updates, imagine having longer P Switch missions that take you through classic tracks. Wishlisted! Plus, the soundtrack is a total vibe—imagine tuning into a radio while racing. Now that would be something!

Tracks, tracks, tracks. They’re fun, no doubt, but something’s off. Maybe it’s that they’re all mashed together in this open “World” thing—individually, they don’t stick like they used to. Older tracks got a facelift but hey, half of them are basically reruns. Choco Mountain’s cool, but do we need it in every game? Toad’s Factory popping up was a nice surprise, though I’m craving fresh tracks. DK Spaceport’s a new fave, with its arcade game nostalgia. But unlocking DK? Gotta get past that first cup.

Mario Kart World’s got its charms, especially for the die-hard fans—zipping around as a cow, who’d have thought? Newbies might just find it a game-changer. Personally, I’m stoked to see where it goes from here.

Driving around for weeks, I’m finally pinning down my thoughts. It’s a banger of a game—fast, sleek, and just darn pretty on the Switch 2. Worth shelling out for the bundle, though if you’re going solo at $79.99, it might feel a bit thin compared to oldies. Fingers crossed for some juicy free DLC to pump it up. Mario Kart World’s a good ride—don’t miss it if you’re into crossing finish lines with style.

And that’s a wrap—I think.