Mario Kart World Faces Player Backlash After Controversial Update
2025-06-28 12:18:27The latest update for Mario Kart World has sparked significant backlash from the gaming community. Version 1.1.2, released on June 25, introduced changes to online racing that many players find frustrating. The adjustment to the "Random" course selection in wireless VS Races has made intermission races more frequent, a feature that has been unpopular among fans.
Intermission races, which require players to travel to the track before completing a single lap, have replaced the traditional three-lap races in many instances. This shift has led to widespread dissatisfaction, with players voicing their concerns through negative reviews on platforms like Metacritic.
According to reports, Mario Kart World's user score on Metacritic has dropped from 8.3 to 7.8 following the update. Over 200 negative reviews have been posted, with nearly 100 of them appearing in the five days leading up to the update's release. This suggests that some players were already unhappy with the game's direction.
Players are not only criticizing the increased frequency of intermission races but are also calling for the return of popular features from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, such as the Grand Prix mode. Many are requesting more options for single-track races with friends, free from the constraints of intermission races.
While Nintendo has not officially responded to the review bombing, the community's feedback could influence future updates. Mario Kart World is expected to receive ongoing support throughout the Nintendo Switch 2's lifecycle, similar to how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was updated on the original Switch.