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The wait is nearly over - Mario Kart World arrives in just two days, and the excitement among fans is absolutely justified. As the headline launch title for Nintendo Switch 2 and the franchise's first open-world entry, it carries immense expectations following Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's phenomenal success. Adding to the anticipation is Nintendo's unprecedented $80 price point, their highest since the N64 era, which has sparked intense online debate. After spending five uninterrupted hours with the final build, I'm thrilled to report this thrilling racer is poised to launch Nintendo's new console generation with explosive momentum - though I remain cautiously optimistic about its open-world exploration elements.
First Full Experience With the Final Build
My earlier preview in April felt restrictive with steering assist enabled, 100cc speed limits, and limited modes available. This time, I experienced what appears to be the complete retail version - featuring the full character roster (yes, including the fan-favorite Cow) with complete freedom over game modes and settings.
Starting as Mario (keeping it classic), I experimented with various vehicles, including the incredible R.O.B. bike, while testing the Free Roam mode - easily the game's biggest unknown factor. Breaking series tradition, Free Roam shifts focus from racing to exploration across vast interconnected highways. Nintendo promised hundreds of P Switch missions, and while I won't reveal exact numbers, these challenges appear constantly - just seconds of driving in any direction reveals another one.
Initially worried these might be too simple based on preview footage, I was pleasantly surprised when several missions stumped me on first attempts through tricky timing or missed jumps - some requiring mastery of the new Tony Hawk-inspired parkour mechanics. One particularly challenging Bowser's Castle mission had me driving along walls before perfectly timed aerial transformations - thankfully with instant retry options rather than tedious backtracking.
Exploring the Open World
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While P Switch missions shine, other Free Roam elements haven't fully captured my enthusiasm yet. The scattered Peach Medallions and ? Block Panel collectibles unlock kart stickers, but these discoveries lack the magical feel of Nintendo's best open-world moments in titles like Tears of the Kingdom. Off-road driving also feels unnecessarily sluggish, discouraging exploration despite being a focus of this new direction.
Racing Remains the Star
The gameplay truly sings when focusing on racing at 150cc. The refined handling, drifting, and boosting feel perfect, while Knockout Tour emerges as the standout mode - its countrywide races against 23 opponents create pulse-pounding tension as you fight to avoid elimination. Each item feels crucial whether you're leading the pack or scraping for survival.
The massive highways feature brilliant shortcuts and alternate routes - I spotted several potential time-savers that will undoubtedly fuel speedrunning communities. While some straight sections risk feeling empty, Nintendo smartly populates them with obstacles, projectile-firing enemies, rail grinding opportunities, and the new Charge Jump technique that unlocks hidden paths.
Celebrating Mario Kart Legacy
Mario Kart World - Nintendo EPD
Traditionalists will delight in the 30+ dedicated courses accessible through VS Race and Time Trials. Reimagined classics like Peach Beach blend nostalgia with fresh surprises, while new additions like DK Spaceport pay brilliant homage to arcade roots. The soundtrack potentially stands as Nintendo's greatest - weaving together musical themes from across Mario history into an infectious road trip vibe that perfectly complements the adventure.
With launch just two days away, Mario Kart World appears ready to deliver an exceptional racing experience - even if its open-world ambitions may need refinement in future installments. Stay tuned for our full review coming later this week!
