DespiteMario Kart World’s ambitious step forward with its exhaustive range of characters, karts, and courses, it seems that the upcoming game has wound up taking two steps back compared to its predecessor,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. After its initial announcement alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 as an upcoming launch title for the console, recent trailers and gameplay showcases have revealed Kart World, such as its new outfits, items, and open world. However, while these new features might makeMario Kart Worldthe most innovativeMario Kartgame to date, it has potentially come at a cost.
ThoughMario Kart 8 Deluxewas released as an expanded Switch version of the original Wii U game, it ultimately became the best-sellingMario Kartgame in the series so far and even received additional DLC via its Booster Course Pass. While it remains to be seen ifMario Kart Worldcan achieve the same success, the upcoming Switch 2 launch title appears to have cut a significant portion of content fromMario Kart 8 Deluxe. Even if there might be justification forMario Kart Worldto cut content from itsMario Kart 8 Deluxepredecessor, it doesn’t bode well for franchises outside theSuper Marioseries.
Mario Kart World Appears To Be A Super Mario-Exclusive Game
Based onMario Kart World’s trailers and gameplay livestreams, it appears that thelatestMario Kartgame will feature contentexclusively from theSuper Mariouniverse. As evidence, in addition toMario Kart’s returning roster of playable characters,Mario Kart Worldwill introduce an expanded range of new racers, such as:
Besides its roster of playable characters,Mario Kart Worldwill also feature various courses from across theSuper Mariofranchise and other adjacent games, with a nearly even split between all-new courses and those returning from pastMario Kartgames.
The reason behindMario Kart World’s specific focus on charactersand courses from theSuper MarioandMario Kartseries could be due to the game’s new open-world approach. Though past games have remained flexible regarding the canonical geography of theSuper Marioworld itself,Mario Kart World’s open-world design may have prompted Nintendo to only include content exclusively from otherSuper Mariogames. However, while this may ultimately help the open world ofMario Kart Worldfeel more natural and organic, it does seem that it has forced Nintendo to cut past fan-favorite characters, courses, and features.
Mario Kart World Scraps Zelda, Animal Crossing, And More After MK 8 Deluxe
SinceMario Kart Worldappears to be exclusively focusing on content fromSuper Mario, this suggests Nintendo characters and courses are being scrapped, including those last seen inMario Kart 8 Deluxe. ThoughMario Kart Worldmight add new outfits, karts, and more to make up for any losses, it could mean the following Nintendo franchises and features are being cut.
Beyond the likes ofMario Kart World’s teased R.O.B.-themed bike, it seems that the game is going back on the progressMario Kart 8 Deluxemade when it embraced characters and courses from other Nintendo games.
Mario Kart World Could Potentially Make Amends With DLC
While most, if not all, ofMario Kart World’s upcoming content is pulled from across theSuper Mariofranchise, this might not mean that characters, courses, and karts from other Nintendo franchises are outright excluded. ThoughMario Kart Worldhas walked back content fromMario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Switch 2 launch title may also receive DLC similar to the Booster Course Pass. If fan-favorite characters like Link, Isabelle, and R.O.B. can’t return as racers, thenMario Kart Worldcould feature tracksor karts as additional references, such as the Master Cycle Zero fromZelda: Breath of the WildorSplatoon’s Splat Buggy.
