Summary
Mario Kart Worldalmost left out two of the franchise’s most iconic items for the first time since the original game. The Nintendo Switch 2 is now out in the wild, and with it the latestMario Karttitle.Mario Kart Worldis one of the first Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives, even being included in a special console bundle that launched on June 5. In a twist on the standardMario Kartformula, all ofMario Kart World’s tracks are connected in an overworld that players can explore at their leisure thanks to the new Free Roam mode.
When the race begins, the objective inMario Kart Worldremains the same as it has always been: make it to the finish line before anyone else. Just like in the previousMario Kartgames, players can use all kinds of zany power-ups to either speed themselves up or slow the competition down, including a few new items likethe money-granting Coin Shell, freezing Ice Flower, and even Kamek, the Magikoopa wizard who can transform opposing racers.
Many of the classicMario Kartitems like the Spiny Shell and Bob-Omb are present and accounted for inMario Kart World, but two iconic power-ups almost didn’t make the cut for the first time in series history. Producer Kosuke Yabuki spoke withGamesRadarshortly before the release ofMario Kart World, revealing that his team reviewed all of the classicMario Kartelements to decide what to keep in the latest entry. That list almostdidn’t includeMario Kart’s Bananaor the Green Shell, with Yabuki saying that their inclusion initially didn’t make sense in light ofMario Kart World’s new wall-riding and rail-grinding mechanics.
Mario Kart World Almost Didn’t Have Bananas or Green Shells
However, it was later decided that the Banana and Green Shell power-ups would be included inMario Kart Worldafter all. Both items have been a part of the franchise since theoriginalSuper Mario Karton the SNES. As one would expect, the Banana peel is placed behind the user and causes any racer who runs into it to spin out of control for a moment. Meanwhile, the Green Koopa Shell flies in a straight line and knocks over anyone it hits, unlike the Red Shells that seek out the nearest opponent and the Spiny Shells that aim straight for the driver in the lead.
Using either of these items to get ahead of the competition might be a little more difficult thanks toMario Kart World’s more open-track approach, but fans are likely grateful to see these classic power-ups make their triumphant return after almost being left out of the game. As mentioned before,Mario Kart Worldis now available to anyone fortunate enough to have gotten a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day, with Nintendo even releasing the game’s first update patch shortly before it was released this week.
