'Mario Kart World' Races Are More Chaotic—and Better—Than Ever

When working on the first Mario Kart game for Switch 2, Nintendo decided against sticking to numbered sequels, opting instead to call what would have been the series’ ninth entry Mario Kart World. It signaled the team’s ambition to try a more modern approach to the popular franchise. Mario Kart World is the Switch 2’s most high-profile launch title, and it’s the series’ newest game in roughly a decade. That’s a lot of pressure even for a Nintendo flagship property, but Mario Kart World does not disappoint. During a private hands-on event held in New York, WIRED spent several hours with the game’s single and multiplayer modes, including its Knockout tour, battles, and vast open areas. While it wasn’t enough for a full review of the game, the time we spent with Mario Kart World offered a promising look at the Switch 2’s debut. The biggest change to the game is right there in the title: an interconnected world map, Free Roam, that players can explore every part of, even outside of races ... Read full article.