Mario Kart World doesn't have 200cc but it is easier to dodge blue shells now
Mario Kart World looks set to be the Switch 2's best game when it launches alongside the console on Thursday, but there are still some lingering questions about its features.
Following our latest hands-on preview, our primary concern was whether there's enough to do in the open world, or if this will be expanded upon with live service style events and additional missions post-launch.
While we don't know how Nintendo plans to support Mario Kart World in the future, the game's producer, Kosuke Yabuki, has implied 200cc, the fastest and highest difficulty from its predecessor, could make a return.
Yabuki was asked about the possibility of 200cc making a return in an interview with Rolling Stone, where he gave a coy response.
'Some players are really happy with the addition of high difficulty modes like this,' Yabuki replied. 'However, does that mean we're going to consider adding engine sizes that are larger than 150cc to Mario Kart World? I'm afraid I can't say just yet.'
Some people might bemoan the lack of 200cc in Mario Kart World at launch, but it was originally introduced as a free post-launch update for Mario Kart 8 in 2015, alongside the Animal Crossing DLC tracks.
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Yabuki's comments don't rule out 200cc being added down the line, but the big question is what kind of post-launch support Mario Kart World will receive at large. Mario Kart 8 on Wii U received both free and paid DLC in the form of new tracks, which was later expanded upon with the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch.
Beyond DLC, Mario Kart fans have noticed several other quirks about the next instalment. As highlighted in videos on X, it appears the window to dodge blue shells with a well-timed mushroom boost has been expanded and made easier to pull off. More Trending
Other mechanics in Mario Kart World might make this easier too. The new ability to Charge Jump, along with the return of the Feather item, which allows you to pull off large hops, makes dodging pesky shells easier across the board – although you're still going to have to be very skilled/lucky to avoid a blue shell.
If you're worried this might imbalance the fundamental laws of Mario Kart, the larger number of racers on the track at one time (24 in total) who are all firing weapons, coupled with the larger track sizes, appears to even these things out, based on our time with the game.
Aside from Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 launch line-up also includes Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Split Fiction, and others.
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