Race to Victory: The Ultimate Guide to ‘Mario Kart World’ – Part 3: Final Lap!

After seven entries, “Mario Kart 7” arrived as the first numbered title in the beloved series. Honestly, calling it “7” felt a bit dull compared to creative names from earlier games. Still, the title didn’t reflect how exciting the game truly was.

This game let players soar through the air and glide under water, which was a fun twist. I’ll never forget my first lap around Cheep Cheep Lagoon. The vibrant seaweed and 3D graphics made it all feel so fresh and futuristic.

Another cool feature was the customizable karts. I loved creating the most ridiculous-looking vehicles, even if I didn’t always care about stats. Honestly, I rarely used the first-person view because it made me feel a bit queasy. But hey, seeing my wild creations on the track was worth it! – Jim Norman

• Top tracks: DK Jungle, Rock Rock Mountain, Cheep Cheep Lagoon
• Fun fact: Even with the Nintendo Network shutting down in April 2024, the last match of Mario Kart 7 continued until November that year. Talk about a long goodbye!
• Link to Mario Kart World: While gliding returned, it now has new twists. Underwater driving appears to be limited to racing atop waves in the newest version, though the Fire Flower is still in play!

Shifting gears to “Mario Kart 8,” it was my go-to game during my university days. I had little time for anything else on my Wii U. The bright, expansive environments felt like stepping back into a nostalgic childhood dream. The game introduced anti-gravity and real expansion; courses felt longer and more thrilling.

I especially loved the downloadable content. Nintendo aimed big with crossover tracks—from Zelda to Animal Crossing. Getting a taste of those beloved franchises within “Mario Kart” felt extraordinary. However, I was mildly let down by the simplicity of the Animal Crossing track, although the seasonal changes were pretty charming. – Alana Hagues

• Top tracks: Toad Harbour, Sunshine Airport, Cloudtop Cruise, Big Blue (DLC)
• Fun fact: Players used a technique called firehopping to extend boosts online, though Nintendo later removed it in “Deluxe,” possibly due to being a glitch.
• Mario Kart World connections: Since “Deluxe” polished many features, it’s interesting to see how the series evolves beyond self-contained tracks.

“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” turned out to be the best-selling game on the Switch, selling 68.2 million copies by March 2025. It expanded on “8,” simplifying gameplay and introducing two-item holds, making it a must-have for every Switch owner.

Despite prior experiences, Nintendo’s DLC for “Deluxe” was stupendous, introducing 48 new tracks and real-world locales, adding another layer of fun to the racing chaos. – Gavin Lane

• Top tracks: Bone-Dry Dunes, Mount Wario, Yoshi’s Island (DLC)
• Fun fact: “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” sold 59.74 million copies more than the original, which was already a bestseller on the Wii U.
• Where are we going next? With the success of “8 Deluxe,” it’s exciting to wonder how the series will innovate in the future.

The Mario Kart series has a fantastic legacy, skillfully combining nostalgia with new innovations. Stick around for more insights next week as we further explore the charming byways of this game franchise.

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Features, Nintendo, Switch 2, Mario Kart