Summary
Mario KartandSuper Smash Bros.are undoubtedly among Nintendo’s most prized possessions when it comes to its extensive library of unique IPs. As a racing series and fighting series, respectively,Mario KartandSuper Smash Bros.are prime examples of Nintendo’s ability to reach beyond the boundaries of the classic platformers it was originally known for. Now,Mario Kart Worldhas brought the heart and soul ofSuper Smash Bros.into theMario Kartfranchise with its Knockout Tour, which is just one of the new game modes introduced by Nintendo’s latest.
WhileMario Kart World’s Free Roam mode might be considered the star of the show (as the game’s title even suggests), its Knockout Tour mode is still loads of fun to play. Rather than putting players in a simple race, Knockout Tour takes the design philosophy of a series likeSuper Smash Bros.and embeds it intoMario Kart’s iconic kart-racing gameplay for one of the most distinctive experiences ever seen in the franchise. Those with a naturally competitive spirit are bound to enjoy Knockout Tour a little more than most, butMario Kart World’s accessible difficulty options make it something almost anyone can get a thrill out of.
MKW’s Knockout Tour Puts Smash Bros. Energy on the Race Track
Knockout Tour Turns Races Into Sudden-Death Gauntlets
The unique aspect of Knockout Tour that sets it apart fromMario Kart’s traditional racing gameplayis that it essentially turns those races into sudden-death gauntlets where staying ahead of the pack becomes the best way to survive. Each match of Knockout Tour is a Grand Prix-scale event and condenses it into one match, where 24 racers compete across six interconnected tracks with no breaks between them. Instead, each track’s finish line becomes a checkpoint where the bottom four racers are permanently eliminated from the competition until the last track begins, where four racers then compete for first place.
SomeSuper Smash Bros.matches are timed rather than dependent upon eliminations, but the concept of defeating opponents rather than simply outrunning them, as one does inMario Kart, still stands.
In a sense, then,Mario Kart World’s Knockout Tour is similar toSuper Smash Bros., which often sees players chipping away at their opponents' Stock (lives) until only one player or NPC is left standing. Of course, it could be argued thatMario Kart’s popular Battle modeis similar in that respect, but Knockout Tour is the first time aMario Kartgame has taken the series' racing system and embedded elimination mechanics like these into the mix. Because of these mechanics, Knockout Tour is bound to become one of the most competitive aspects ofMario Kart World, potentially on an Esports level.
Continuous Tracks Keep the Pressure High
This is all intensified by the fact thatMario Kart World’s Knockout Tourfeatures seamlessly interconnected tracks to ensure the pressure is at its highest at all times.Super Smash Bros.has always been about fast-paced action and pressure that evenMario Kart’s Grand Prix could never compete with. In Grand Prix, players at least get a break between tracks to catch their breath or reorient themselves. Knockout Tour matches, however, are rather lengthy due to taking place across six different tracks. Rather than the traditional three-lap racesMario Kartis known for, Knockout Tour essentially becomes a six-lap race, with each lap introducing new environments and obstacles for players to navigate.
Knockout Tour is bound to become one of the most competitive aspects ofMario Kart World, potentially on an Esports level.
Knockout Tour may not replace the core ofMario Kart’s identity, but it proves that the franchise still has room to grow in unfamiliar directions. By blending the elimination format ofSuper Smash Bros.with the tension and speed ofkart racing,Mario Kart World’s Knockout Tour ends up being something that feels both original and familiar. Whether players are chasing first place or just trying to survive another checkpoint, Knockout Tour captures a competitive spirit the series has only flirted with.
