Nintendo touts Mario Kart World as the "Biggest Mario Kart ever", which seems a little difficult to believe, given that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had 48 characters, and ended up with 96 tracks. There was a lot announced today during the 15 minute Direct, and I even took a little bit of time to gather my thoughts. The game looks great, and there are a lot of features. I really hate to do this, but today's presentation didn't tell me this game was worth $80.
Hear me out, Nintendo. I am someone who used to blame the people for Wii U's failure. I am also the one who is still wondering if I needed a PS5, and questioned it further when Final Fantasy VII Intergrade was released for the PC. I even lambasted others for giving praise to the PS5 Pro. With all that said, Nintendo had one shot to tell us why Mario Kart World for $80, and I think they need to have a nice long talk with your marketing team.
Yes, new tracks are here, and rolling starts are cool. Yes, the reimagining of the classic tracks is cool. The battle modes, and the extension to 24 players, very cool. The fact that the open world isn't just open world, it's a way to find hidden objects, and costumes when you visit restaurants. I will even give you the amount of characters being available, though there are some noticeable omissions (Lonk from Pennsylvania).
The Knockout mode is an interesting addition, where you have to be a certain rank to stay in the race. The battle modes are the same as those in Mario Kart 8, but I'm sure they come with more flair. There are new power ups, like the Hammer Bros suit, and the return of some old favorites. The game promises unlockables and stage hazards, too. It really could be the biggest Mario Kart ever. But is it? Really?
We were all waiting on baited breath to see why the flagship game for the Switch 2 was $80, and I, personally, can no longer defend the price. I can tell people until my heart's content that I will buy the bundle, therefore paying $50 for it, and call it a day. Even with all the online modes, chat settings, and game share modes, it just doesn't justify that price.
Your first game on the Switch to charge $70 was The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Even then, I got it for $50, because I used game vouchers. I know what you're thinking, reader. That I can just ask Nintendo for a review copy. This is true, but I'm not the only one who writes for Gaming Nexus, so it's not that simple. Inside baseball. Game writers and streamers don't get everything we request.
This isn't a question of what is Nintendo doing, because they could sell salt to a snail and ice to an Eskimo. Why is this ice better than the old ice though? Graphically, sure, it looks nicer. Is it Mario Kart? Yes. There was not one single thing in this presentation that made me say "I get it. I get that this game is $80." I don't. I don't at all. And I am not trying to be part of the mob that is pitchforks and torches.
Don't worry. I won't be using any hashtags, and as soon as these preorders open up, I will be grabbing the bundle. (No free systems for me, either). If you find me someone who says this game is worth $80, I will stand down, but as of the first trailer, and this presentation, looks like I'll be going the digital pack in bundle route, and replaying BOTW and TOTK, at a better frame rate and a higher resolution, while waiting for the true star, Donkey Kong Bananza.
Mario Kart World. Only $50 bucks!* (FIFTY BUCKS). Well isn't that nice?
*when bundled
