Nintendo’s Mario Kart World has garnered attention with its immersive gameplay, making its debut at the April premiere of the Switch 2. During that event, brief demos showcased traditional racing modes, such as Grand Prix and Knockout. However, a recent invitation from Nintendo to preview the near-final version of the game prompted us to delve deeper into its intriguing “Free Roam” mode.
This decision proved fruitful, as Free Roam emerges as a standout feature of Mario Kart World and potentially a highlight of the entire Switch 2 launch lineup. Merging gameplay elements reminiscent of Diddy Kong Racing, Forza Horizon, and even the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, Free Roam offers players a refreshing blend of racing challenges, exploration, and collectible hunting that promises to engage new owners of the Switch 2.
Discovering Hidden Features
Interestingly, Free Roam mode is not immediately accessible as a primary gaming option when starting Mario Kart World. Instead, players are prompted via a subtle note in the corner to press the plus button, unlocking an expansive and untimed experience on the game’s extensive Mario Kart World map.
This exploratory mode perfectly encapsulates the scale of the game’s enormous, multi-theme island, allowing players to experience areas that timed races cannot offer. While other racing modes provide opportunities to maneuver between courses via designated paths, Free Roam encourages players to traverse the sprawling landscapes, including mountains, valleys, oceans, and snowy terrains, exploring the picturesque countryside.
The primary objective in this mode involves seeking out large, blue P-Switches that activate short, timed challenges in their vicinity. Often, reaching these P-Switches can be a challenge in itself, requiring creative maneuvering and strategic item usage to access more secluded areas of the map.
During my playtime, I uncovered 15 distinct P-Switch missions, each showcasing a variety of challenges. Many tasks revolved around collecting nearby blue coins, yet no two missions felt alike. Some featured dodging rampaging dinosaurs, while others required grinding along the rails of a suspension bridge or maneuvering through sunken ruins in a sandy desert.
Certain missions offered a more relaxed approach, inviting players to “seek peace by climbing the falls,” skimming across the water alongside playful Cheep-Cheeps. Conversely, others presented demanding obstacle courses, such as navigating the Donkey Kong Spaceport track in reverse, laden with debris and under pressure of a ticking clock.
Additional missions had elements reminiscent of rally racing games, requiring navigation through timer-prolonging rings in barren desert landscapes, while others presented endurance challenges, necessitating deft dodging to reach each checkpoint on time. I even experienced a mission that felt akin to a 3D platformer, demanding precision jumps on bouncy clouds, with the ability to rewind time reminiscent of classic titles from the early 2000s.
While these challenges may not pose a significant test for seasoned racing enthusiasts, the diversity of tasks and the unique environments throughout the expansive map ensure a continuous appeal as players hunt for P-Switches.
Engagement and Collectibles
Nintendo has requested confidentiality regarding the exact number of P-Switches within the Mario Kart World map, but they are plentiful—spanning into the hundreds. Additionally, players can discover numerous collectible medallions, elusive question-mark panels, and abundant coin stacks, all of which contribute to unlocking new karts and aesthetics. Completionists will find themselves thoroughly engaged in the quest for every collectible.
Beyond the structured objectives of Free Roam, I found myself captivated by the whimsical interactions that emerge when the usual pressures of racing are lifted. Throughout my preview, I enjoyed moments such as driving alongside a herd of buffalo while aiming for falling collectible starmen, racing down railroad tracks, or ascending to the roof of a moving train via a carefully placed ramp. Briefly piloting a UFO added a layer of joy, completely detached from the game’s core mechanics.
Countless smaller, delightful encounters also filled my time—like bouncing off a hitchhiking Shy Guy or witnessing a traffic cone sprout legs and scamper away. At one point, I joined two Toads on a bench, sharing a lighthearted moment as they cheered my presence.
The charm and joyful spontaneity found in this mode are sure to keep players returning to Mario Kart World, long after they’ve raced through the traditional modes. With no new 3D Mario game available for the Switch 2 launch, the whimsical exploration offered here serves as a delightful and engaging alternative.
