Here’s how Mario Kart World’s Grand Prix and Free Roam modes work – Eurogamer

🔍 Summary:

Nintendo recently unveiled “Mario Kart World” during the Switch 2 Direct, introducing an innovative open-world twist to the beloved racing series. In a follow-up Nintendo Treehouse: Live presentation, the developers provided a deeper look into how this new format will affect the traditional Grand Prix mode.

Unlike previous iterations, “Mario Kart World” features a continuous open world, yet it retains elements of traditional lap-based racing. The game incorporates tracks that transition seamlessly between different environments, blending traditional circuits with point-to-point racing. For example, the Mushroom Cup includes four distinct tracks: Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Whistlestop Summit, and DK Spaceport. Each track starts with a standing or rolling start and morphs into different landscapes, maintaining a fluid race experience across various themed zones.

Mario Bros. Circuit is a three-lap race set in a desert, featuring dynamic weather changes. The subsequent tracks begin where the last one ended, with Crown City transforming from a desert highway to an urban setting. The third track merges these styles, starting with a rolling start and shifting environments, while the final two laps circle back to form a traditional circuit.

The highlight track, DK Spaceport, draws inspiration from the classic Donkey Kong arcade game, featuring continuous action over eight lap sections. After completing the Grand Prix, players can explore the game world in Free Roam mode, driving freely across the interconnected environments. This mode also includes a teleport feature to jump to specific courses and a photo mode for capturing and sharing gameplay moments.

“Mario Kart World” not only reinvents the series with its open-world approach but also showcases Nintendo’s innovative level design, making it a standout title for the upcoming Switch 2 console.

📌 Source: https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-how-mario-kart-worlds-grand-prix-and-free-roam-modes-work