Out of all the new characters, karts, and more being introduced inMario Kart World, there seems to be one particular power-up missing from the item roster that would have been perfect for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title. Just as pastMario Kartgames sought out new itemsto add to their line-ups, such asMario Kart 8addingSuper Mario 3D Land’s Boomerang Flower,Mario Kart Worldis no exception; it debuts the Coin Shell, Kamek, and Dash Food. However,Mario Kart Worldmay have missed a trick with one item that could have benefited the game in more ways than one.
In addition to returning to the tradition of side-scrolling gameplay after over a decade,Super Mario Bros. Wondergained significant attention for its distinctive power-ups. Beyond the Elephant Fruit, Bubble Flower, and Badges,SMB Wonder’s titular Wonder Flower and its transformative effects helped give the game its own identity. However, despite only being released in 2023 to critical acclaim,Mario Kart Worldappears to have snubbedSMBWonderand the Wonder Flower and instead reduced one of its former characters to a mere item.
Mario Kart World Could Have Capitalized On Super Mario Bros. Wonder
After theSuper Marioseries excelled with multiple 3D games on the Nintendo Switch, such asSuper Mario OdysseyandSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, the reveal and release of a game likeSMB Wonderwas a welcome change of pace. But with the console nearing the end of its lifespan and rumors of its upcoming successor on the horizon, it seems thatSMB Wonderwas to be one of the last newSuper Mariogames for the Switch itself. Given its success and the potential forSMB Wonderto receive a Switch 2 Edition, the least Nintendo could have done was capitalize on the game inMario Kart World.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Could Have Spared Mario Kart World’s Kamek
Besides the ongoingcontroversy surroundingMario Kart World’s price, one of its newest items is also causing contention as it appears to be based on the former playable character Kamek. Sharing the same name as the character, gameplay showcasingMario Kart World’s Kamek suggests the item will cause various random effects, such as conjuring a mass of enemies and transforming players. This could suggest that, despite the game’s expanded roster of possible racers,Mario Kart Worldhas removed Kamek as a character to make way for this new item.
However, this might not have been necessary, because Nintendo could have looked back toSMB Wonderand introduced its signature Wonder Flower as a near-identicalMario Kart Worlditem instead. While potentially fulfilling the same transformative effects as the Kamek item, adding the Wonder Flower toMario Kart Worldwould have let Kamek returnas a playable character and continue to build onSMB Wonder’s success. Moreover, establishing the Wonder Flower as part of the broaderSuper Marioworld could have opened the door to other characters, items, and more to appear inMario Kart World.
Mario Kart World Missed Out On Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s Characters, Locations, and More
SinceMario Kart Worldis adding niche new characterslike Piantas and Conkdors, it seems odd that Nintendo overlookedSMB Wonderspecifically. WhileSMB Wonderis currently the only game to feature the likes of Prince Florian, Poplins, and the Flower Kingdom, by using the Wonder Flower in place of Kamek,Mario Kart Worldcould have expanded its roster of characters and courses even further. However, similar toMario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass, this oversight may ultimately be intentional if Nintendo has plans forMario Kart WorldDLC.
