Mario Kart World announced during Switch 2 Direct, with gameplay teasers galore
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was just recently broadcasted and with it first came the announcement of the name of Mario Kart 9. The sequel has been announced as Mario Kart World. The game will feature off track gameplay coinciding with the normal track racing we're all used to, with tons of unknowns even after the broadcast was over. Luckily, yet another broadcast is happening two weeks from the Switch 2 Direct, that being a Mario Kart World Direct, focusing on providing even more details on top of what was shared in the direct.
Amongst many other curious oddities, such as various characters changing their clothes, and potentially multiple tricks being landed in succession, there was something very clearly defined in the beginning of the trailer clips shown off by Nintendo. Multiple characters were shown to be grinding upon rails, as well as being able to hop onto walls and trick off them, a level of unique dynamic play previously unseen for Mario Kart. The developers at Nintendo may potentially be taking inspiration from the Sonic Racing games, as driving on walls and multiple successive air tricks are very reminiscent of recent games in that series. There are a lot of unknowns as to how it all directly works, but readers can take a look at the teaser image below, as well as a look at the full trailer below.
Mario Kart World will feature 24 racers in each race, with a wide variety of both confirmed (and unconfirmed) characters coming to the game. There was a large variety to be seen in the trailer, with some obscure characters such as Hammer Bro or Charging Chuck, to name a couple. There is also two new incoming modes coming to Mario Kart World, including an open world driving mode for each track, allowing you to find even better ways to optimize your future races. In addition, the sequel will feature Knockout Mode, a new mode that has you racing through various tracks as you attempt to stay as far ahead in the pack as possible. Players will encounter designated checkpoints marked with a place ranking, and if you're below the ranking, they'll be knocked out.
Readers may also notice multiple unconfirmed vehicle types that can be spotted throughout the trailer, including that of a jet ski in the thumbnail and Rosalina riding a snow mobile during the trailer. There was also a new sight of wings attached to vehicles as they fly through the air, rather than the gliders Nintendo has had in their games since Mario Kart 7.
With a lot left to be confirmed and a ton more news about the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct as a whole, keep an eye out for more information from those of us here at Notebookcheck.
