Latest news with #MarioKartWorld
Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Review: ‘Mario Kart World' a solid, safe offering for Switch 2's early adopters
TORONTO - When the hybrid Nintendo Switch console hit the market in 2017, the bold new system had a bold new game to match. 'Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' introduced an open world and non-linear structure to the hit franchise — radical departures from past 'Zelda' games — and the risk was rewarded with critical and commercial success. The Switch 2, released earlier this month, is not the game changer its predecessor was, instead making significant improvements to what already worked with the Switch. And that pragmatism over innovation is reflected in its major launch title, 'Mario Kart World.' The first brand new 'Mario Kart' game in over a decade features some new modes and improvements, but ultimately is a tried-and-true addition to the bestselling franchise. It's not going to dominate game-of-the-year chatter like 'Breath of the Wild' did eight years ago, but it's not hard to see why Nintendo tied the launch of the Switch 2 to the newest instalment of its smash-hit racing series. The previous game in the series, 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' is by far the bestselling title for the Switch with more than 68 million units sold, and the ability to play online multiplayer lets Nintendo show off the Switch 2's 'GameChat' functionality that lets gamers start a chat session with friends with the push of a button. 'Mario Kart' games have always been ridiculous, chaotic events featuring some of the company's biggest stars, and the latest game doubles down on the pandemonium. With the improved capabilities of the Switch 2, races now feature 24 competitors. That's twice as many as 'Mario Kart 8.' Twenty-two characters make their debut as playable racers, including some deep cuts. Cow, the smiling bovine that has been a staple of 'Mario Kart' games as an obstacle, finally gets the chance to tear up the track. And on a more graphically capable system, 'Mario Kart World' shines. Mario, Luigi and their pals look great, and the 30 tracks on offer pop with charm and colour. The courses, either completely new or reimaginings of classic racetracks from games past, are full of twists, turns and secret routes waiting to be discovered by adventurous racers. A frequent criticism of 'Mario Kart' games, however, is that the playing field can too easily be levelled by potent weapons provided to struggling racers to punish the front-runners. 'Mario Kart World' is no different, with returning power-ups such as the blue shell that homes in on the character in first place before stunning its target on impact. And with more racers now on the grid it is possible for leaders to be hit by several attacks in a row and see their skilful navigation of the track upended. New to 'Mario Kart World' is the excellent 'Knockout Tour' race mode. Rather than run three laps of the same track like a standard 'Mario Kart' race, 'Knockout Tour' events are elimination races that string together stretches from several different courses into a giant endurance race. The stakes are high the moment the starting flag waves, as checkpoints along the way knock out the bottom four players. Less exciting is the free-roam mode that presumably gives 'Mario Kart World' its name. The concept is great; players can drive at their leisure across the Mushroom Kingdom, including all the courses and the open areas that connect them. But some parts of the map feel empty, particularly after competing in a thrilling 'Knockout Tour' race. There are some driving challenges to find along the way, but other than unlocking stickers that can be used to customize vehicles, there is little incentive to complete them. While it is not an unwelcome addition, free roam feels somewhat flat. The mode's existence isn't even readily apparent on the game's menu screen, with the option to select it buried in the bottom-right corner. It might not have been an afterthought, but it does at times feel like one. 'Mario Kart World' comes with an eye-popping price tag of around $110, though that comes down to about $70 when purchased in a bundle with a Switch 2 system. Regardless of the price, 'Mario Kart World' will be a must-have for early adopters of the Switch 2. Part of that is because it's currently the only first-party game developed exclusively for the console. But much like the new system it supports, 'Mario Kart World' takes what already works to new level. 'Mario Kart World' has an ESRB rating of 'E,' meaning it's suitable for gamers of all ages. A digital copy of 'Mario Kart World' was provided for review. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Review: ‘Mario Kart World' a solid, safe offering for Switch 2's early adopters
TORONTO – When the hybrid Nintendo Switch console hit the market in 2017, the bold new system had a bold new game to match. 'Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' introduced an open world and non-linear structure to the hit franchise — radical departures from past 'Zelda' games — and the risk was rewarded with critical and commercial success. The Switch 2, released earlier this month, is not the game changer its predecessor was, instead making significant improvements to what already worked with the Switch. And that pragmatism over innovation is reflected in its major launch title, 'Mario Kart World.' The first brand new 'Mario Kart' game in over a decade features some new modes and improvements, but ultimately is a tried-and-true addition to the bestselling franchise. It's not going to dominate game-of-the-year chatter like 'Breath of the Wild' did eight years ago, but it's not hard to see why Nintendo tied the launch of the Switch 2 to the newest instalment of its smash-hit racing series. The previous game in the series, 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' is by far the bestselling title for the Switch with more than 68 million units sold, and the ability to play online multiplayer lets Nintendo show off the Switch 2's 'GameChat' functionality that lets gamers start a chat session with friends with the push of a button. 'Mario Kart' games have always been ridiculous, chaotic events featuring some of the company's biggest stars, and the latest game doubles down on the pandemonium. With the improved capabilities of the Switch 2, races now feature 24 competitors. That's twice as many as 'Mario Kart 8.' Twenty-two characters make their debut as playable racers, including some deep cuts. Cow, the smiling bovine that has been a staple of 'Mario Kart' games as an obstacle, finally gets the chance to tear up the track. And on a more graphically capable system, 'Mario Kart World' shines. Mario, Luigi and their pals look great, and the 30 tracks on offer pop with charm and colour. The courses, either completely new or reimaginings of classic racetracks from games past, are full of twists, turns and secret routes waiting to be discovered by adventurous racers. A frequent criticism of 'Mario Kart' games, however, is that the playing field can too easily be levelled by potent weapons provided to struggling racers to punish the front-runners. 'Mario Kart World' is no different, with returning power-ups such as the blue shell that homes in on the character in first place before stunning its target on impact. And with more racers now on the grid it is possible for leaders to be hit by several attacks in a row and see their skilful navigation of the track upended. New to 'Mario Kart World' is the excellent 'Knockout Tour' race mode. Rather than run three laps of the same track like a standard 'Mario Kart' race, 'Knockout Tour' events are elimination races that string together stretches from several different courses into a giant endurance race. The stakes are high the moment the starting flag waves, as checkpoints along the way knock out the bottom four players. Less exciting is the free-roam mode that presumably gives 'Mario Kart World' its name. The concept is great; players can drive at their leisure across the Mushroom Kingdom, including all the courses and the open areas that connect them. But some parts of the map feel empty, particularly after competing in a thrilling 'Knockout Tour' race. There are some driving challenges to find along the way, but other than unlocking stickers that can be used to customize vehicles, there is little incentive to complete them. While it is not an unwelcome addition, free roam feels somewhat flat. The mode's existence isn't even readily apparent on the game's menu screen, with the option to select it buried in the bottom-right corner. It might not have been an afterthought, but it does at times feel like one. 'Mario Kart World' comes with an eye-popping price tag of around $110, though that comes down to about $70 when purchased in a bundle with a Switch 2 system. Regardless of the price, 'Mario Kart World' will be a must-have for early adopters of the Switch 2. Part of that is because it's currently the only first-party game developed exclusively for the console. But much like the new system it supports, 'Mario Kart World' takes what already works to new level. 'Mario Kart World' has an ESRB rating of 'E,' meaning it's suitable for gamers of all ages. A digital copy of 'Mario Kart World' was provided for review. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Engadget
8 hours ago
- Business
- Engadget
How to buy the Nintendo Switch 2: Latest stock updates at Best Buy, Walmart, Target and more
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been available in the US for more than two weeks — but good luck finding one. The $450 console officially went up for sale on June 5, and several retailers have offered it both online and in-store in the days since. While millions of people have been able to snag the device, online inventory dried up fairly quickly at most stores soon after launch and remains difficult to find today. Target and Best Buy restocked shortly after launch, but those didn't last long, and the latter required in-store pickup. You may also be able to grab a bundle at Costco if you're a member there. Otherwise, it's slim pickings as of our latest sweep. Broadly speaking, people had a bit more luck on launch week by venturing to a physical retail store. We can't guarantee you'll still be able to snag a Switch 2 the old-fashioned way, but it's worth checking if a local Target, Best Buy, Walmart or GameStop — the four official retailers Nintendo lists on its store page — still has consoles in stock. Either way, if you're still on the hunt, we've rounded up all of the latest information we could find on how to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 and where you can pick one up. Walmart also began online purchases at midnight ET on June 5. Currently, both the Mario Kart World bundle and the standalone console are "available" via third-party retailers, but listed for much higher than their standard $500 and $450 price tags — with limited quantities available. We wouldn't recommend buying these; instead, wait for the console to be listed at its regular MSRP. Naturally, the world's largest retailer is also selling the console at its brick-and-mortar locations, though the company has noted that quantities are limited and inventory will vary by location. Best Buy began selling the Switch 2 at its retail locations on June 5. It previously said it wouldn't sell the handheld at its online store during launch week, but it made additional consoles available on June 11 around 12PM ET. That restock lasted for the better part of an hour and required in-store pickup, but the device is now sold out again. Target had the Switch 2 in stores on June 5 and restocked its online inventory for at least a couple of hours starting around 3:30AM ET on June 6. It then had another restock on June 12 around 2:30PM ET, but that appears to have died out in less than an hour. It still looks to be fully sold out as we write this, but you should see if there's any stock at the stores closest to you just to be safe. GameStop has advertised in-store availability, though exactly how much stock your local store may have will vary by location. Online, the device has been unavailable for the past week, with the listings for the base console and Mario Kart bundle now pointing to a "Find a Store" page. We saw a $625 bundle that includes Mario Kart World , a microSD Express card and a few other accessories pop up a bit more frequently than the standard SKUs, but it's no longer listed (and it was kind of a raw deal anyway). You may still have some luck at certain membership-based retailers. A Mario Kart World bundle at Costco that includes a 12-month Switch Online subscription has gone in and out of stock since launch day. Sam's Club has had a bundle without the Switch Online sub as well, though it's out of stock now. We also saw the console at BJ's early on June 5, but it's no longer live there. Verizon briefly had the Switch 2 available on launch day, but that's dried up, and only those with Verizon service were able to order. Amazon hasn't had any form of Switch 2 listing on its website, nor has it listed Mario Kart World . The company didn't take pre-orders for the Switch 2 either, so it's unclear if and when it will sell the device. You can, however, find some Switch 2 games. Newegg has listed the Switch 2 on its site for several weeks, but it's given no indication as to when it'll begin sales. It previous showed a couple listings from a third-party seller, but at massively inflated prices. With all of these stores, we've seen the Mario Kart World bundle available in greater quantities online than the base console, which costs $50 less. But given that Mario Kart is the Switch 2's biggest launch game and retails for $80 on its own, that may not be the worst thing. Nintendo, meanwhile, is only offering the Switch 2 via an invite system. This requires you to have been a Switch Online member for at least 12 months and logged at least 50 hours of Switch 1 playtime as of April 2. It can't hurt to sign up if you meet the criteria, but don't expect it to bear fruit immediately — it's taken weeks for many people who registered in April to receive their invite. You can find a list of every Switch 2 retail listing we could find below. Just be aware that this is meant to be a reference, not a rundown of everywhere the device is available right this second. Where to buy Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle: Where to buy Switch 2: Nintendo is selling a number of Switch 2 accessories alongside the console, from its (pricey) Pro Controller to cases to cameras for the new GameChat feature. Most of these became available on June 5. The same goes for games like Mario Kart World and the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom . Another big Switch 2 release, Donkey Kong Bananza , won't be available until mid-July but is still up for pre-order now. As of Friday afternoon, just about all Switch 2 games are broadly available. Stock for the accessories remains a little spottier, but most devices are still available at multiple retailers. Nintendo's official Switch 2 carrying cases have bee the main exceptions, so you may need to look to third-party alternatives if you want some protection for your console right away. Mario Kart World ($80) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Donkey Kong Bananza ($70) Nintendo Amazon Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Costco (membership required) Additional Switch 2 games Nintendo Amazon Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 ($60) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon Joy-Con 2 bundle ($95) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 Pro Controller ($85) Switch 2 Camera ($55) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera ($60) Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip ($40) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) ($25) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case ($85) Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector ($40) Nintendo (invite required) Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set ($120) Nintendo GameCube Controller for Switch 2 ($65) Nintendo (Switch Online required)
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Review: 'Mario Kart World' a solid, safe offering for Switch 2's early adopters
TORONTO — When the hybrid Nintendo Switch console hit the market in 2017, the bold new system had a bold new game to match. "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" introduced an open world and non-linear structure to the hit franchise — radical departures from past "Zelda" games — and the risk was rewarded with critical and commercial success. The Switch 2, released earlier this month, is not the game changer its predecessor was, instead making significant improvements to what already worked with the Switch. And that pragmatism over innovation is reflected in its major launch title, "Mario Kart World." The first brand new "Mario Kart" game in over a decade features some new modes and improvements, but ultimately is a tried-and-true addition to the bestselling franchise. It's not going to dominate game-of-the-year chatter like "Breath of the Wild" did eight years ago, but it's not hard to see why Nintendo tied the launch of the Switch 2 to the newest instalment of its smash-hit racing series. The previous game in the series, "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe," is by far the bestselling title for the Switch with more than 68 million units sold, and the ability to play online multiplayer lets Nintendo show off the Switch 2's "GameChat" functionality that lets gamers start a chat session with friends with the push of a button. "Mario Kart" games have always been ridiculous, chaotic events featuring some of the company's biggest stars, and the latest game doubles down on the pandemonium. With the improved capabilities of the Switch 2, races now feature 24 competitors. That's twice as many as "Mario Kart 8." Twenty-two characters make their debut as playable racers, including some deep cuts. Cow, the smiling bovine that has been a staple of "Mario Kart" games as an obstacle, finally gets the chance to tear up the track. And on a more graphically capable system, "Mario Kart World" shines. Mario, Luigi and their pals look great, and the 30 tracks on offer pop with charm and colour. The courses, either completely new or reimaginings of classic racetracks from games past, are full of twists, turns and secret routes waiting to be discovered by adventurous racers. A frequent criticism of "Mario Kart" games, however, is that the playing field can too easily be levelled by potent weapons provided to struggling racers to punish the front-runners. "Mario Kart World" is no different, with returning power-ups such as the blue shell that homes in on the character in first place before stunning its target on impact. And with more racers now on the grid it is possible for leaders to be hit by several attacks in a row and see their skilful navigation of the track upended. New to "Mario Kart World" is the excellent "Knockout Tour" race mode. Rather than run three laps of the same track like a standard "Mario Kart" race, "Knockout Tour" events are elimination races that string together stretches from several different courses into a giant endurance race. The stakes are high the moment the starting flag waves, as checkpoints along the way knock out the bottom four players. Less exciting is the free-roam mode that presumably gives "Mario Kart World" its name. The concept is great; players can drive at their leisure across the Mushroom Kingdom, including all the courses and the open areas that connect them. But some parts of the map feel empty, particularly after competing in a thrilling "Knockout Tour" race. There are some driving challenges to find along the way, but other than unlocking stickers that can be used to customize vehicles, there is little incentive to complete them. While it is not an unwelcome addition, free roam feels somewhat flat. The mode's existence isn't even readily apparent on the game's menu screen, with the option to select it buried in the bottom-right corner. It might not have been an afterthought, but it does at times feel like one. "Mario Kart World" comes with an eye-popping price tag of around $110, though that comes down to about $70 when purchased in a bundle with a Switch 2 system. Regardless of the price, "Mario Kart World" will be a must-have for early adopters of the Switch 2. Part of that is because it's currently the only first-party game developed exclusively for the console. But much like the new system it supports, "Mario Kart World" takes what already works to new level. "Mario Kart World" has an ESRB rating of "E," meaning it's suitable for gamers of all ages. A digital copy of "Mario Kart World" was provided for review. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. Curtis Withers, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Metro
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Switch 2 third party games sold 'below our lowest estimates' says publisher
The Nintendo Switch 2 may have had a hugely successful launch, but sales for third party games are lower than anticipated. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console in history, with over 3.5 million units sold within its first four days, but its success hasn't trickled down to third party games yet. While Mario Kart World was the main attraction at launch, the Switch 2 has arguably the best third party support of any Nintendo console yet – with the likes of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Split Fiction, Yakuza 0 Director's Cut, Hogwarts Legacy, Street Fighter 6, and others. When compared to the dire third party line-up for the original Switch launch (Just Dance 2017, Shovel Knight, Super Bomberman R, and Skylanders: Imaginators), it's a substantial improvement – but this hasn't translated to a significant boost in game sales. According to figures collated by The Game Business, 62% of Switch 2 physical game sales in the US on launch week were for first party games, which doesn't include the Mario Kart World bundle. As for the UK, 48% of Switch 2 physical game sales on launch week were for first party games, excluding the Mario Kart World bundle. However, if you do include bundle, this percentage jumps up to 86%, leaving only 14% for third parties. While you might be raising an eyebrow at the emphasis on physical sales, of the games which were released both digitally and physically, over 80% of Switch 2 game sales came from physical retailers – so it's a fair reflection of the overall picture. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. When you compare these figures to the original Switch launch, it is a small improvement. According to Circana figures, 81% of US physical game sales were from first party games on the Switch when the console launched in March 2017, while it was 89% in the UK. This suggests third parties have fared slightly better during the Switch 2's launch. However, according to the report, most third party Switch 2 games have sold in 'very low' numbers. An unnamed third party publisher described the numbers as 'below our lowest estimates'. This perceived improvement is also undercut by the fact the Switch 2 had far more physical games available at launch. The original Switch only had five, whereas the Switch 2 had 13 in total, so the losses for third parties are higher overall, as they had a larger presence. As for the potential reasons as to why this has happened, it's a complex mixture. Nintendo didn't release Switch 2 consoles to press until launch, which prevented outlets from posting reviews of these games until after the fact. Speaking to The Game Business last month, one unnamed PR boss said the 'lack of independent critical validation is going to make it very hard for us' and they may have been 'better off waiting a few weeks'. There are other factors at play too. The Switch 2 is expensive, and when Mario Kart World is the main attraction, many people have perhaps ignored the third party selection until they've maxed out Nintendo's kart racer. And by that point Donkey Kong Bananza will be out. Unlike the original Switch, the Switch 2 has backwards compatibility, with old titles – and including upgrades for some titles, so people have less reason to invest in brand new games. More Trending Combined with the fact that the majority of the Switch 2 third party line-up were ports of older titles, and the negativity around Game-Key Cards, it's easy to see why sales might have been lower than hoped for. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, one of the few games not to utilise Game-Key Cards, was the best-selling third party title on the system, beating launch sales for The Witcher 3 on the original Switch. It's possible this situation will be confined to the Switch 2's launch, and third party sales will pick up in the coming weeks, but Nintendo systems are synonymous with Nintendo games – which has only been amplified through the poor third party support in prior generations. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how things shake out when higher profile games hit the system, such as Elden Ring, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Star Wars Outlaws, and 007 First Light. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Metroid Prime 4 advert on London tube confuses everyone with 'out now' sticker MORE: Games Inbox: What is the hardest video of modern times? MORE: NetEase game Blood Message may have the best video game graphics ever
