Mario Kart World’s Missing Pill: A Single-Player Story Mode

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The much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is drawing near, and at the forefront of its promotions and launch plans is a new game titled “Mario Kart Universe“. Essentially serving as “Mario Kart 9” following the immense popularity of “Mario Kart 8” across both Wii U and Nintendo Switch generations, “Mario Kart Universe” is poised to kick off the Switch 2’s journey with a big impact. It appears set to fulfill its objective, as the game represents the most significant departure from the traditional “Mario Kart” formula yet while simultaneously building upon everything that has made the series shine.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been thrilled to see that Mario Kart World has dared to venture into the open-world arena, a move seldom seen in the kart-racing genre. The innovative approach lets players choose between multiple laps on traditional tracks or straight-shot races with various branching paths leading in and out. These connecting roads keep the action going even beyond the formal race tracks, and they also enable a Free Roam mode where we can explore freely. Add to that the battle royale-inspired Knockout Race, and it’s clear that Mario Kart World is packed with exciting features. However, there’s one aspect the game hasn’t fully tackled yet.

Mario Kart World Is Ideal For A Story Mode

The Mario Kart Franchise Has Been Overdue For A Story Mode

It seems like there’s ample room for innovation in the upcoming updates of Mario Kart World, making it an ideal candidate for introducing the franchise’s initial single-player narrative mode. While Free Roam shares some similarities and reportedly has an undisclosed feature, it primarily focuses on multiplayer sessions and offers a more casual, open-ended experience for leisure and skill development. However, given its robust array of modes and mechanics, Mario Kart World has the potential to offer much more than just a casual playground.

In addition to other spin-off Mario games, such as the assortment of Mario Sports titles and Super Mario Party Jamboree, have employed fresh settings or familiar ones to construct storylines of varying intricacy. With ample room for development, Mario Kart World has the potential to introduce a compelling narrative without necessarily surpassing its predecessors in terms of complexity. Such a feature could significantly enhance the current Mario Kart World experience and also attract players who typically lose interest after a few Grand Prix races. Mario Kart World doesn’t have to revolutionize gameplay mechanics to offer another appealing selling point.

How Mario Kart World’s Story Mode Could Play Out

players will strive to demonstrate their skills and achieve victory.

Progress In An Open-World Mario Kart Story Would Be Gradual

In Mario Kart World, players can explore various iconic courses such as Mario Circuit, Mario Bros. Circuit, or Crown City from the get-go, similar to Free Roam mode. However, this time there will be NPCs and obstacles blocking certain paths. Completing tasks given by these NPCs, like racing, gathering items, joining battles, or overcoming platforming challenges will open up new paths, sometimes offering multiple routes to choose from. Scattered throughout the game are collectibles and unlockables, with a final showdown taking place in Bowser’s Castle or the always-present Rainbow Road. The addition of a story mode in Mario Kart World could make for a very popular experience.

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2025-04-09 01:34