Mario Kart World Direct reveals new items, outfits, Rainbow Road, and more
Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct revealed a number of exciting new additions to the franchise, as well as a closer look at new mechanics and courses, including a fresh rendition of Rainbow Road.
The details:
As shown in the Direct, the game takes place in an open world with a variety of climates, allowing players to race on land, sea, and air, with courses located within the world. So far, Nintendo has unveiled several tracks, including the desert canyon-themed Mario Bros. Circuit, the urban Crown City, the Venice-inspired Salty Salty Speedway, and the creepy movie theater Boo Cinema. Old courses are also returning, though they will be "reimagined" and can be found all over the world.
Among the courses is a new version of Rainbow Road, a franchise staple and often regarded as one of the most difficult tracks. However, unlike previous entries, it will not be available right away, with players having to beat all Grand Prix cups before they can access it.
The Direct also provided a closer look at World's cast, which included returning characters like Peach, Yoshi, and the titular character, Mario, as well as new racers like Goomba, Spike, and the beloved Cow from Moo Moo Meadows. Players will also be able to unlock "Dash Food," which are outfits inspired by various cuisines from around the world and provide a speed boost when collected.
Unsurprisingly, new items are being introduced, such as the Coin Shell, which leaves a trail of coins, and the Ice Flower, which is essentially a variant of the Fire Flower from previous titles. The new Hammer item enables players to launch a volley of hammers in front of them, which remain on the course for a short time, wiping out unsuspecting opponents, while Kamek transforms other racers into various forms. Other items from previous games have returned, including the Feather and Mega Mushroom.
As for new mechanics, Charge Jumping grants players an increase in speed and height, allowing them to access shortcuts and activate the new grinding and wallriding abilities. Nintendo has also added a rewind system in case you accidentally miss a jump, which returns you to where you were seconds ago, while the race continues as usual for other players.
Finally, Battle Mode and Time Trials have returned, bringing back Balloon Battle, Coin Runners, and the ability to download ghost data from other players. You can also compete in team races, which combine the points of multiple players into a single score, with up to 24 players spread across four teams of six.
