Maps, tracks, three fouls: Mario Kart World was brought to Russia
In Russia, two weeks after the worldwide release, official sales of the Mario Kart World video game began. This racing arcade game from the Mario brothers universe is not just the flagship of the new Switch 2 console, but it seems to be the most commercially successful game of the summer (and the most expensive too). In the first weeks of sales, it showed results that other companies can only dream of — over 1 million copies have already been sold on physical media in Japan alone, and the same number in the United States. Izvestia noted the presence of the Russian language in the novelty and recorded the formation of a new trend, when the base cost of the game is approaching 9 thousand rubles.
Wonderful cornering races
The Mario Kart series had 190 million copies sold as of March 2025. Any day now, Nintendo is expected to announce the total sales of Mario Kart World in all possible formats: a bundle with a set-top box, a copy on a cartridge, a copy in the digital eShop store. According to preliminary estimates, at least 3 million copies were sold in various regions in June, although in fact there are probably more. The editors found that in Russia the game has become a bestseller on Avito in terms of available completed transaction stories. A copy of the game for review was presented to Izvestia by the largest distributor of video games and consoles in the Russian Federation, Achivka.
Like previous franchise projects, Mario Kart World is a dynamic go—kart race featuring your favorite characters from the Super Mario universe: from Mario and Luigi to Princess Peach and Bowser. However, the developers have expanded the format, adding a large-scale open world and a number of innovations that are changing the perception of the genre.
The main novelty is a vast open world divided into regions: from picturesque cities with towers and sultry deserts to picturesque oceanic coasts. The world of the game "breathes" thanks to the dynamic change of weather and time of day: racers can compete in the pouring rain, enjoy the sunset over the mountains or plow through snowdrifts in a blizzard.
As players explore the map, they discover Yoshi's Diner, where they order food to unlock exclusive costumes for the characters, from classic jumpsuits to extravagant outfits inspired by mythology or modern fashion. In addition, the open world is full of secrets and side missions: from finding hidden trails to completing tasks for additional rewards, which makes the passage even more exciting.
Screenshot from the Mario Kart World game
The game supports a 24—player multiplayer mode, which is a record for the Mario Kart series. Now racers can compete for the first place on dynamic tracks with even more opponents. The main modes of passage were the "Grand Prix" and "Departure Tour". In the first, players complete a series of four races, moving between tracks throughout the open world, which adds a strategic element: you not only need to drive fast, but also plan your route correctly. The second mode offers long rallies with checkpoints where laggards are eliminated.: This is a test of endurance and tactics, where every mistake can be worth a victory.
In addition to the new trails, the game features versions of classic routes from previous installments of the franchise, but redesigned with modern technology in order to preserve nostalgia and at the same time please newcomers.
Among the key innovations is the "charged jump", which allows players to overcome obstacles, slide along electrical wires and dodge rival attacks. After completing such a jump on the wall, the rider can slide along it, opening up new tactical possibilities: for example, to overtake an opponent or avoid an object flying in his direction.
Screenshot from the Mario Kart World game
No less significant are new game items: the "Coin Shell" showers opponents with a stream of coins that can be collected to receive bonuses; the "Ice Flower" freezes rivals, forcing them to slide along the track; the "Hammer" flies in an arc and sticks into the road, creating obstacles; the "Kamek" weakens the nearest rivals, reducing their the speed.
Mario Kart World has become a highlight in the Nintendo release calendar. But despite the eye—popping sales and the worldwide shortage of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, Mario Kart World is an overrated project. Being the main and, in fact, the only system seller of the Switch 2, the game introduced a minimal amount of innovation and made little use of the console's functionality. Even for the re-releases of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023), support was made for achievements and the external Nintendo Switch App.
What problems did the game create?
The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 turned out to be a disappointment for fans of series such as Pokemon, Zelda, Metroid and Animal Crossing. The console's launch lineup turned out to be the most meager in the company's history: just two new items — Mario Kart World and the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour — and a sea of reissues, remasters, and repackaged games from previous years. At the same time, even a paid "immersion" in the Switch 2 functions via NS2WT (Welcome Tour) looks more meaningful than the new race, which promised a revolution, but did not meet expectations.
But the main headache is Mario Kart World. Despite the flagship status of the launch line and excellent sales figures, the game has already caused a wave of criticism. The main complaints are the empty, poorly disclosed open world, the paid online mode and the general scarcity of new mechanics. But the worst part is that even this "novelty" has surpassed the price of the long—awaited Grand Theft Auto 6: the basic digital version of Mario Kart World costs €80, the physical version costs €90. Nintendo of America CEO Doug Bowser attributed the price increase to "the volume of valuable content," but users were not convinced. No one has understood why it is necessary to pay more.
Screenshot from the game Grand Theft Auto 6
Comparison with other Nintendo games only makes the situation worse. For example, Donkey Kong Bananza, the company's next big novelty, which will be released in July, is estimated to be 10 euros cheaper. At the same time, old projects with support for Switch 2 functions (like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) now stand as fresh blockbusters — 20 euros more expensive than the version for the first Switch, released eight years ago.
But the most serious irritation of users was caused not by the prices, but by the restrictions laid down in Mario Kart World and Nintendo's policy around the Switch 2. The main claims come down to a few key points.
First of all, the physical cartridges with games on the Switch 2 turned out to be "dummies": To run such a game, you need a constant Internet connection, which makes them practically useless without network access.
Secondly, paid features: GameChat chat and online mode in Mario Kart World require a subscription to the Nintendo Switch Online, and additional features (such as advanced costumes or missions) are often paid. That is, in addition to the €90 already paid, you will have to fork out another decent amount.
Screenshot from the Mario Kart World game
Thirdly, due to the virtual game card system, users cannot freely transfer copies of games to friends or family members, as was the case before. Then you could buy several consoles and use a single account on all of them, play the same purchased game. Nintendo has decided that it's enough to lose money and we need to make each player pay separately.
Despite the criticism, Mario Kart World continues to be sold worldwide and remains a step forward for the series: the graphics, mechanics and dynamics of the races have been improved, and the open world (albeit crude) adds new playthroughs. However, all these advantages are overshadowed by the harsh monetization that turns Switch 2 into a platform with "golden mountains" of content, for which you have to pay more and more.
It is worth recalling that Nintendo once lost in the fight against PlayStation, because games on the N64 were too expensive. And now Switch has gone from being the most democratic console, where it was possible, for example, to change the region at any time to buy a game online where it is most profitable, turned overnight into one of the toughest towards gamers. And no one can predict what will happen when the first euphoria from Mario racing subsides.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
