Mario Kart World

Play it on: Switch 2
Current goal: Explore this so-called ‘world’ of Mario Kart 

My Switch 2 pre-order arrived today and I am planning to spend as many hours as I possibly can this weekend holding Nintendo’s latest console in my greedy little hands. In particular, I’m eager to see what kinds of surprises Mario Kart World might contain. Sure, yes, I’m stoked to do some races, win some cups and so on, but what I’m really looking forward to is just taking in all the fun world-building signage everywhere, maybe unlocking some nifty costumes, and just seeing what kinds of surprises I might discover when I go off the beaten path. In looking forward to the game, I’ve thought back to my enjoyment of the Forza Horizon games, in which I adored the races but nothing could top the pleasure of just cruising around, looking for some beat-up old car rusting in a garage somewhere or some other hidden treasure. Here’s hoping Mario Kart World delivers that kind of enjoyment as well as the thrill of leaving one’s opponents in the dust. — Carolyn Petit