While several classic Battle modes are making a comeback inMario Kart World, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 launch title should seize the opportunity to capitalize on new features like its open world in combination with its multiplayer structure. Besides the main racing focus ofMario Kart World’s multiplayer modes, such as Knockout Tours and VS Races, the return of the series' Battle mode offers a refreshing alternative when playing with friends. AlthoughMario Kart’s Battle modes have never been central to previous games,Mario Kart Worldcould have potentially pushed the envelope with both new and existing Battle modes.
Out of the six Battle modes previously featured inMario Kartgames, Nintendo has only confirmed that two modes, Balloon Battle and Coin Runners, are returning inMario Kart Worldfor now. More could be done withMario Kart World’s Battle modes, especially when its other new Free Roam mode pushes players to explore the game beyond the racecourse. With this in mind, it might be worthwhile ifNintendo revisitedMario Kart World’s Battle modesand explored new ideas for multiplayer experiences through post-launch updates.
Mario Kart World’s Open World Could Have Enhanced Its Battle Modes
Traditionally,Mario Kart’s racing and Battle modes take place in different courses, with the latter typically using arena-like battle stages. Given thatMario Kart Worldhas merged all its courses into a seamless open world that even requires players to race between tracks, the usual separation between racing and Battle modes seems no longer possible. This could explain why Nintendo has scaled back Battle modes forMario Kart World’s in favor of modes like Knockout Tourand Free Roam, though that shouldn’t have necessarily been the case.
Despite the new hurdles an open-worldMario Kartgame might pose to its past Battle modes, it could have been possible to work around or even capitalize on these challenges to allowMario Kart Worldto introduce its own versions of Battle modes or enhance existing ones. For instance, previous Battle modes such asMario Kart: Double Dash’s Shine Thief orMario Kart DS’s Shine Runners, could have returned inMario Kart World,similar to Coin Runners and its gameplay. But even then,Mario Kart Worldcould have used its open worldto its advantage and added its own spin to existing Battle modes.
Past Mario Kart Battle Modes Could Have Been Revamped
While some Battle modes (such as Shine Thief or Bob-omb Blast) could be adapted toMario Kart Worldwith little to no changes, other modes might benefit from its open world. For example, to differentiate it from Coin Runners,Mario Kart Worldcould have leaned onSuper Mario Odysseyand reworked Shine Runners into Moon Runners, hiding Moons across its open world for players to find the most of in an allotted time. Alternatively,Mario Kart Worldcould have amplifiedMario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Renegade Roundup by capitalizing on its online capacity for twenty-four players, with gameplay spanning multiple areas of the open world.
Mario Kart World Could Have Introduced New Battle Modes
BeyondMario Kart’s existing six Battle modes,Mario Kart Worldcould also have used new featuresalongside its open world to add Battle modes of its own. For instance,Mario Kart Worldintroduction of larger vehicles such as boats and UFOs could have inspired a new Battle mode with players competing to locate and use these vehicles. Additionally, the new Free Roam mode inMario Kart Worldcould also have led to a hide-and-seek-style game, potentially serving as a less competitive and more casual, family-friendly multiplayer substitute for Battle modes like Shine Thief.
