Mario Kart World Needs More Than Just An 'Open World'

While Nintendo continues to showcase more of Mario Kart World as a key launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, its new Free Roam mode needs to offer players more to do than just explore the game's open world. As the latest and potentially the biggest game in the Mario Kart series, Mario Kart World has already broken the mold with many new features, characters, and more, such as rail-grinding and wall-jumping, to all-new game modes like its Knockout Tour. However, Mario Kart World's other new "Free Roam" mode alternatively lets players ditch the racetrack and explore without the fear of Lakitu hauling them back.

But while Mario Kart World's open world has influenced much of its new gameplay, its Free Roam mode may risk undermining players' experiences if it leaves them with the impression that its world is too "open" and empty as they explore it. Despite being likened to Zelda: Breath of the Wild in terms of its new open-world design, there are crucial genre and gameplay differences Mario Kart World needs to consider as a kart racing game. Ultimately, Mario Kart World's Free Roam could help potential players look past its price, but only if its open world is full of things to do, find, and discover.

Mario Kart World: What a Single-Player Story Mode Could Look Like

Even though Mario Kart World has already shown lots of content in comparatively little modes, it still has room for a single-player campaign as well.

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By Liam Ferguson

Mario Kart World's Free Roam Needs To Be Balanced With Its Open World

Up until now, the Mario Kart series has typically limited its level designs to enclosed tracks or arenas, depending on the game mode, with even Mario Kart 8 Deluxe keeping to this formula. As a result, Mario Kart World is breaking a major tradition with its open-world approach as a series first, though this could make or break the game if it's not balanced with the rest of its gameplay. However, with the right balance between things to do on and off the course, this Free Roam mode could be one of Mario Kart World's best features and a significant step forward for the series' future.

Despite being new to Mario Kart, there are many other racing games whose open-world designs could help influence Mario Kart World, such as Forza Horizon 5, Need for Speed: Unbound, and Burnout: Paradise. Just like Mario Kart World, these games feature large, open worlds that players are free to explore, but they are also filled with additional content, such as Forza Horizon 5's battle royale Eliminator mode and Burnout: Paradise's Shut Down feature to unlock new cars. Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode should be balanced with similar features to give players a reason to explore its open world.

Mario Kart World's Open-World Could Be Anticipating Future Updates

However, though a large open-world approach might appear counterintuitive at Mario Kart World's launch, this could work in Nintendo's favor with a long-term strategy for future updates. Similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the six waves of Booster Course Pass, Nintendo could be planning to give Mario Kart World ongoing updates post-launch so that new courses can gradually fill its open world and keep the game fresh for players. Therefore, while its open world might seem initially empty during Free Roam exploration, Mario Kart World could also mark another series first with seasonal updates and special events.

Seasonal Updates Would Be Perfect For Mario Kart World

Much like other multiplayer-centric Nintendo games, such as Splatoon 3 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Kart World could become an integral launch title for the Switch 2 if Nintendo continues to update the game. Beyond being another justification for Mario Kart World's controversial cost, Nintendo can keep players interested in the game with seasonal updates and special events that players can discover across its open world. With commentary from previous Treehouse Live gameplay hinting at more to come for its Free Roam mode, expectations will be high for Mario Kart World's upcoming Nintendo Direct showcase.

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