The release of Switch 2 has already been a massive success for Nintendo, despite initial concerns, partially thanks to its combined release withMario Kart Worldas its primary first-party launch title. Regardless of how widely successful a console release is, having a strong launch title is a surefire way to leave a lasting impression and keep players coming back for more over time. AlthoughMario Kart Worldis arguably the best entry we’ve had in the series to date,Mario Kart Worldstill feels like a strange launch choice for Nintendo, especially given their past offerings.
Given how few first-party Nintendo titles came alongside the Switch 2’s release,it’s easy to see whyMario Kart Worldwas one ofJune’s most anticipated games.Offering its largest roster yet, a sense of scale never seen before with its open world, and adrenaline-pumping gameplay mechanics,Mario Kart Worldis no doubt one of Switch 2’s most fun titles to keep coming back to. Even with how much fun there is to be had with Mario’s latest and greatest racing game,Mario Kart World's gameplay loop doesn’t scratch the same itch as launch titles of the past.
Mario Kart World Is More Fun In Shorter Bursts
There’s Only So Much Gameplay Variation With A Franchise Like Mario Kart
No matter how many fun-filled mechanics or track variety there is to experience in a game likeMario Kart World, it’s not exactly a game with enough staying power to keep me engaged for weeks on end.Much of the joy to be had with theMario Kartfranchise comes from picking up the game and playing it in short bursts at a time, whether solo or with a friend. Combined with the Switch 2’s portability, a game likeMario Kart Worldhas even greater potential for routine races on the go, but it still struggles with long-term sessions.
Mario Kart Worldhas even greater potential for having routine races on the go, but it still struggles with justifying long-term gaming sessions.
Even with its complaints,Mario Kart Worldhas already made several massive overhauls to improve the gameplay variety, most notably with the introduction of itsfree-roam mechanics. While the exploration in this mode isn’t on the same level as a fully dedicated game likeBreath of the Wild, it’s still a fantastic way to get more enjoyment out of the game while discovering more than a few special surprises.
Adding more variety by discovering new tracks or simply taking in the sights on a carefree joyride,there’s more content to experience than ever inMario Kart World, although it’s still held back somewhat by the core gameplay loop relying on individual races. This isn’t to say thatMario Kart Worlddoesn’t have the potential for a large amount of replayability, but its greatest strengths are best seen when hopping back onto the track over the years for some action-packed races with friends.
Big Adventures Are Perfect For Launch Titles
An Expansive Adventure Keeps Players Busy Until More Games Are Released
What makes the Switch 2’s launch title choice even more jarring is how monumental of a release the original Switch provided, offering with it the groundbreakingLegend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Being one of Nintendo’s most ambitious releases to date,BOTWcould easily become your sole Switch gaming experience for months on end, being perfect for late-night gaming binges. Filled to the brim with collectibles, secrets, and unique locations to explore,it’s easy to see why some players couldsink hundreds of hoursinto Link’s greatest outing,tying players over while waiting for future game releases.
Going back to past Nintendo console releases, it’s not hard to find large-scale adventures that could easily get you lost in the feeling of an adventure for hours at a time. Even on the Mario side of things,both the Nintendo 64 and GameCube had significant launch titles to go alongside them, with bothSuper Mario 64andLuigi’s Mansion, respectively. Similar toBreath of the Wild, the Wii’s release ofThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princesswas a fantastic title to show off the console’s hardware with a large-scale adventure, making for a satisfying companion to the new console.
Twilight Princesswas a fantastic title to show off the console’s hardware with a large-scale adventure.
While it’s easy to pick out the best launch titles from Nintendo’s long history,even the controversial release of the Wii U and itsSuper Mario Bros. Ulaunch title featured plenty of environments to explore, despite the overall experience being shorter than more recent titles. There’s no doubt thatMario Kart World’s open world is a massive step in the right direction for the series that makes great use of the Switch 2’s hardware, but there’s only so much you’re able to explore without resorting to standard races.
Donkey Kong Bananza Could Have Been Perfect
Marking The Switch 2’s Release With An Ambitious New Series
Compared to an excellent pick-up and play party game likeMario Kart World,an expansive adventure likeDonkey Kong Bananzawould have been a much more impactful way to kick off the Switch 2’s release. Even though Nintendo has had little trouble selling the new console, pairing it with a game likeDonkey Kong Bananaswould have been an excellent way to sway buyers still waiting for a single-player experience to justify upgrading to a Switch 2.
By far one of the most common complaints following the Switch 2 Direct was the lack of any news regarding a follow-up to the belovedSuper Mario Odyssey, which felt like a surefire choice for a best-selling launch title. While it will likely be some time before the highly anticipated sequel comes to fruition,Donkey Kong Bananzafeels like the perfect game to satisfy the same adventurous feeling as one of the previous console’s most standout titles.The new storyline presented inBananzacould also keep the game’s relevancy alive even longer, seemingly acting as aprequel toMario Odyssey.
One of the most common complaints following the Switch 2 Direct was the lack of any news regarding a follow-up to the belovedSuper Mario Odyssey.
With the potential to learn from the greatest strengths and fix theweaknesses ofMario Odyssey,the gorgeous environments and unique adventure mechanics in Nintendo’s upcoming collectathon easily makeDonkey Kong Bananzaone of my most anticipated Switch 2 releases. Unfortunately, despite offering some incredible gaming experiences over the years, theDonkey Kongfranchise isn’t nearly as popular as Mario’s various outings, making it not too surprising that Nintendo prioritizedMario Kart Worldinstead.
Adding more weight to Nintendo’s choice ofMario Kart Worldas the Switch 2’s debut launch title were likely the sales numbers for its predecessor, asMario Kart 8 Deluxewas the number one bestseller on the original Switch by a landslide. From a pure numbers point of view,Mario Kart Worldwas easily the safest launch title choice for Nintendo, butit still feels like a missed opportunity not to celebrate the monumental Switch 2 release with a memorable adventure game to last for years to come.
