The newest entry in the kart-racing genre’s behemoth series,Mario Kart World, was up against a tough challenge afterMario Kart 8featured so many varieties of courses for players to race on.Mario Kart Worldhas pleasantly surprised fans by providing a plethora of new and incredible tracks, to go along with new drivers, karts, outfits, and game modes. Also, there is still a chance for even more tracks to arrive in the future, if this game follows the pattern of offering DLC in the future, likeMario Kart 8did.
Mario Kart Worldoffers a variety of modes for single or multiplayer racing, including the traditionalGrand Prix, Time Trials, and a Knockout Touroptions. Whichever way you want to race, the tracks are typically the same, other than for some VS Mode choices in multiplayer. Some courses focus heavily on water, some on desert, and some even on desserts.Every track in the game has something creative and impressive about it, which means that players really should experience them all, but these are some of the best to check out first.
10Starview Peak Gives Rosalina Her Dues
Star Cup In The Grand Prix
Rosalina takes center stage with this stunning course, Starview Peak, whichlovingly pays homage to herMario Galaxyhomeland. The course takes players through a multi-level courtyard, into a giant library where lumas are waiting for their story, and even into a magical section with a watery space-themed track. The aurora can be seen in the sky, while snow blankets the ground, giving this entire location the feeling that Elsa fromFrozenwould be quite at home here.
Though the shape of the track is fairly simple,its themes and beauty make it a favorite for many, particularly for a couple of little girls I know. Rosalina, herself, has been growing so popular in recent years, that having this course devoted to her, and even giving her an unlockable dress that matches it perfectly, feels right in every way.
9Peach Beach Takes Racers On A Summery Escape
Banana Cup In The Grand Prix
Some courses inMario Kart Worldtake their racers on a journey, and Peach Beach does just that. Besides just having a great name that is fun to say, this summer excursion includes beach, water, and city driving. Whethergoing off jumps in the ocean or bouncing from one rooftop to another in the pink-themed buildings, every second of these races gives something fun to see.
If you like the beach theme but want a simpler track, check out the Koopa Troopa Beach course as well!
ThroughoutMario Kart World, it is evident that the Switch 2 has allowed developers to really make the design of the water look great in this game, making courses like Peach Beach even more fun to drive on.Soaring across the waves feels so good that I only wish I could go experience it in real life, while the scenery in the background is sunny and cheerful.
8Acorn Heights Is A Jungle Wonderland
Special Cup In The Grand Prix
Acorn Heights is part of the Special Cup inMario Kart World’s Grand Prix, so players will have to race through the rest of the Cups before the Special Cup is unlocked. However, once it is unlocked, this vibrant jungle-themed track will make it worth it. Here, racers hit dangerous speeds while riding the rails or bouncing off mushrooms high up in the acorn-laden treetops. Of course, these acorns are,hilariously, about three times the size of Luigi, which makes one wonder what kind of tree this is.
Treetop tracks aren’t entirely new to theMario Kartfranchise, but Acorn Heights feels as though they took thebest features of the past game’sjungle courses and streamlined them into one. And really, you don’t want to be hit by one of those gargantuan acorns.
7Dino Dino Jungle, Because Dinosaurs!
Really, all that needs to be said here is that this track has dinosaurs, and that should cover it.A variety of dino friends, and some not-so-friendly ones, are wandering around Dino Dino Junglefor racers to not only enjoy observing as they drive by, but occasionally find themselves having to avoid the feet or teeth of these massive prehistoric beasts. They don’t stay in one spot either, with each lap finding them charging into new sections of the course, sometimes literally.
Really, all that needs to be said here is that this track has dinosaurs, and that should cover it.
Though the course is, itself, plenty of fun for jurassic lovers, if players venture into this area during the Free Roam mode, it can be even more exciting. In Free Roam, there are opportunities to drive up the tails of some of the more friendly dinos and bounce around the area in close proximity with these creatures.
6Boo Cinema Takes Racers Inside A Movie, Sort Of
Leaf Cup In The Grand Prix
Mario Kart World’s Boo Cinema trackmay just be a short circle type of track, but the creativity behind it makes it absolutely worth seeing as soon as possible. It can be a pretty quick race, but it provides a whole new take on the classic haunted castle. Instead of a castle, it’s an old-time movie theater. But, instead of sitting and watching a movie,racers get to go quite literally behind the scenes by jumping through the very screen of the cinema. Here, players race along filmstrips showing a shocked Peach while hundreds of ghosts laugh on the sidelines.
A friend of mine did point out that it would have been just a little cooler if the filmstrips weren’t all the exact same image, and could even have been designed to tell a little story, almost like a flipbook, but it is still a creative sepia-toned race.Through each lap, players jump in and out of the movie screen, seeing both the real world and the film.
5Wario Shipyard Houses Ships That Aren’t Totally Floating
Another course that is perfect for those of us who love the water inMario Kart World, Wario’s Shipyard is nearly all aquatic-themed. Even better, as racers dash along this water going in and out of broken ships, they are hitting a lot of white-capped waves.These waves give lots of opportunities to hit that special moveby jumping at just the right time and get a little extra boost in speed.
Visually, driving in and out of these ships and areas around the shipyard gives players a lot to look at. From the pirate flag, massive anchor, and inner contents of some large ships, one can only imagine what kinds of sailors were here. The number of broken and sinking ships in Wario’s Shipyard does leave me wondering why anyone would choose to dock their ship there, however.
4Sky-High Sundae May Make You Want Some Ice Cream
So, Sky-High Sundae isn’t exactly a new track, per-se. A very similar version of it was found inWave 2 of theMario Kart 8 DeluxeBooster Course Pack. That said, I still include it on this list because it has been redesigned so wonderfully that it feels new. But really,this gives a perfect way to experience the differences betweenMario Kart WorldandMario Kart 8 Deluxe. This course has undergone such drastic improvements that it is hard to refute the upgrade this game provides.
Also, the creativity of adding the new ice cream-themed outfits for characters like Toadette and Yoshi fit in so well with Sky-High Sundae, that it just continues to make me smile. You can never go wrong with ice cream.
3Bowser’s Castle Is The Most Epic Version Yet
Lightning Cup In The Grand Prix
Bowser’s Castle is a longstanding staple inMario Kartgames, with each game often bringing new versions to the experience. ForMario Kart World, Bowser has seen a pretty big upgrade, withhis floating lava-filled castle that is topped by a massive lava sculpture of Bowser himself. As players race along the pieces of track that aren’t missing, they have to dodge fireballs and even drive under a flaming toothy mouth of the King of the Koopas.
This course is just as epic as one could imagine, andfeels as though it would absolutely have been designed by Bowser.
2DK Spaceport Is Perfect For Nostalgic Vibes
Mushroom Cup In The Grand Prix
DK Spaceport is truly a love letter to those of us who played the originalDonkey Konggame, with a distinctly modern upgrade.From a distance, one can clearly see the familiar outline of theDonkey Kongplatforms, but a spaceship and robotic Donkey Kong are certainly new additions. As racers charge up these tracks, massive barrels are coming towards them, thrown by the robot ape at the end. It is, in every way, a masterfully done level.
Of course, the players who will get the most out of this experience will be the ones who immediately recognize this design, but even a younger audience can enjoy the twisting track with jumps and barrels.
Another classic, but reimagined, course,Rainbow Road makes its grand entrance toMario Kart Worldat the end of the Special Cup. Like Acorn Heights, players will have to finish the other Cups in Grand Prix before unlocking this track, but it is worth the wait. I’m hesitant to spoil the beauty of this version of Rainbow Road, but with each section of the track there are new sights to see and reasons to be distracted by the beauty around you and end up falling off the track.
Ultimately, every track is worth checking out inMario Kart World, with surprises around every turn and stunning treats for the eyes when you are able to cast your eyes off the road in front of you for a moment.
