1 of Mario Kart's Most Annoying Features is Even More Disruptive in Mario Kart World

Nintendo Switch 2 launched with Mario Kart World, an elevated version of the Switch's Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It features plenty of new game modes, racing mechanics, characters and more. But gamers are not a fan of one added feature — 24-man races. And it's for one very particular reason.

Mario Kart World features plenty of new gameplay opportunities for larger groups of friends. This includes modes like Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, which can have up to 24 players. Reviews say these modes bring the game to a new level, but the chaotic 24-player modes have not been enjoyable for those who want more competitiveness and fewer upsets.

Mario Kart World Punishes Top Racers

"Second Place is the New First"

Gamers have had a few days to grind Mario Kart World, and after hours of competitive online matches, some players have started to feel a bit dejected. On X, LonelyGoomba expressed frustration with one specific element of the new races, especially when there are 24 competitors: there are too many upsets thanks to constant item use from the large group of racers. They especially noted that first-place racers are consistently hit with blue shells.

Showing a clip of them getting knocked out of first with a blue shell, LonelyGoomba tweeted that they are not having fun anymore, especially online. That's because of the "rage-inducing" number of times that the blue shell was used while they were ahead, ruining any of the fun of this item.

This invited an entirely new strategy for gamers who want to dominate in chaotic online races. LonelyGoomba pointed out that players should stay in second place and keep some mushrooms handy so they can pull ahead right at the very last moment. This way, the blue shell would never target them and allow them to keep the same pace throughout each lap.

"Frontrunning is so bad in this game that I'm literally braking so I don't overtake," they tweeted. "I won the race doing this, by the way. So I'm thinking it's genuinely the strat to just not be first under any circumstance beyond the final stretch."

Another idea? Avoid 24-player lobbies. Players who want a more competitive experience should stick to 12-player lobbies to have a bit less chaos. While some pointed out that the person who got in first from the blue shells must feel good, more competitive players said that there should be lobbies for casuals and competitors to avoid all the luck and lack of strategy in online races.

The game has only been out a few days, so there's some time for feedback to be implemented, if Nintendo is paying any attention.

One racer added: "If they balance the blue shell it would fix a lot, honestly. Doubt they will, but there’s no reason a blue shell should come in the last 10 seconds of a race, like come on."

Another stated: "Being punished for being at first place except for the final stretch does not feel like a fun strat at all."

Source: LonelyGoomba via X