Game/Publisher/Developer
Mario Kart, Nintendo, Nintendo
My Reaction
An open-world Mario Kart is basically a childhood dream come true. Ever since I was a kid playing this series, I’d catch myself looking past the Toad and Shy Guy bystanders lining the track, wondering what was out there in the scenery beyond them. Mario Kart has always been built on isolated tracks, each with its own distinct identity, but this entry genuinely changes that for good, and getting to actually drive into that background feels like a real paradigm shift for the series.
Overview
This entry reimagines the traditional Grand Prix structure by connecting its courses into one continuous road trip instead of four separate, self-contained locales. Races flow directly into one another, so the finish line of one track becomes the start of the next, all stitched together across an expansive open world players can also explore freely outside of races. It’s a significant structural departure from decades of standalone track design, and the ambition of that shift is arguably the biggest thing distinguishing it from every Mario Kart before it.
What I Liked
- Races flowing continuously into each other feels like a genuine paradigm shift rather than a gimmick.
- The open world is expansive and full of replayable modes to dig into.
- With a group of friends, it’s legitimately addictive and keeps pulling you back for more.
What I Didn’t Like
- The free roam mode that comes out of this new structure doesn’t quite live up to its full potential.
- Some bloat and odd design choices crop up more the longer you play.
Verdict
Mario Kart isn’t the cleanest ride the series has produced, but between its fun modes, expansive world and sheer replayability, there’s a lot to love under the hood. The bloat and occasional odd choice throw the occasional banana peel in your path, but they rarely send the whole kart spinning out. With the right group of friends and some patience for its quirks, it’s hard to walk away without feeling like you’ve just played the most accomplished kart racer Nintendo has ever made.
Rating
84/100