Mario Kart World is the clear standout launch title on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo’s visually stunning kart racer is chock-full of its trademark charm and personality. The new knockout mode also feels like a neat addition, expanding brilliantly on the addictive multiplayer mayhem the series is known for. There are some issues – like the strangely organized character select screen and a Grand Prix format that feels slightly unsure of itself. However, what’s here is an undoubtedly impressive racing game that we hope Nintendo continues to build and improve upon.
Pros
- Knockout Tour offers tension-filled fun
- A vast, eclectic soundtrack
- Simple controls, high skill ceiling
Cons
- Grand Prix mode perhaps not as streamlined as Air Riders’ set approach
- Unlocking characters is frustratingly random
- Messy character select screen
Kirby Air Riders feels like a combination of Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. at their most chaotic. You’ll have to carefully balance battering rival riders while also out-speeding them, all while mastering seemingly simple controls – controls that actually require significant skill to master. The game is vibrant and visually stimulating, and offers a great line-up of characters. City Trials can feel anticlimactic on occasion, and the story mode is underwhelming. Still, Kirby Air Riders offers the frenetic multiplayer fun I hoped to experience on Switch 2, and stands as a successful oddball racer.
Pros
- Unbelievably chaotic, yet addictive gameplay
- Fast-paced and visually stimulating
- Trade off for using power-ups feels well-balanced
Cons
- Not as many courses as Mario Kart World
- Other modes can lack payoff and depth
- A little more challenging for casual players to pick up
