《瑪利歐賽車世界》（Mario Kart World）是任天堂於2025年為Nintendo Switch 2推出的最新賽車遊戲，作為《瑪利歐賽車》系列的正統續作，首次嘗試將傳統的賽道競速結合開放世界探索，為系列帶來全新的變革。在主機同步上市時推出，成為Switch 2的招牌首發作品之一。

故事背景仍然保持輕鬆幽默的基調，不強調嚴肅劇情，但透過遊戲世界的設定，構建統一連貫的「瑪利歐世界」。可以在這個廣闊的地圖上自由駕駛，從繁華的都市、神秘的叢林、雪原、沙漠，到水底城市，場景之間無需讀取時間，整個世界以無縫方式連接起來。這種設計讓玩家不只是單純參加賽道比賽，而是可以隨心探索、接取支線任務、挑戰隱藏小遊戲，或是和其他玩家即時互動，形成前所未有的競速冒險體驗。

操作方面，延續系列一貫的直覺性，同時加入更多層次的技巧要求。可以選擇超過40名來自瑪利歐宇宙的角色，每位角色還有不同的服裝與屬性變化。這次遊戲新增「充能跳躍」系統，在賽道中執行更高難度的特技，例如飛越巨大裂縫、在牆面上短暫行駛，或者在空中滑翔。同時，在賽道中失誤時，可以使用新加入的「倒退功能」回到幾秒鐘前，嘗試修正錯誤，不過這項功能必須謹慎使用，因為其他玩家不會因此暫停，競賽節奏仍然緊湊激烈。

環境互動也是一大特色。天氣系統與日夜循環會直接影響賽道條件，例如暴雨會讓路面變得濕滑，夜晚行駛時視野會變得狹窄，要求玩家適應不同的駕駛節奏。賽道不再只是單純的封閉路線，而是隱藏著多條捷徑、互動機關，甚至可以發現秘密區域。

至於模式設計，除傳統的Grand Prix、Time Trial、Battle模式外，新增名為「Knockout Tour」的大型淘汰賽模式。在一條超長連貫的世界地圖上不斷通過檢查點，每隔一段距離就會淘汰落後的玩家，直到最後剩下的競速者奪得冠軍。此外，還有「自由探索模式」，完全不受時間與排名限制，單純享受駕駛與探索的樂趣，也能使用豐富的拍照模式記錄旅程。

市場評價方面，一推出便受到媒體與玩家的一致好評。多數評論認為它成功為老牌系列注入新生命，將經典的賽車樂趣與現代遊戲趨勢巧妙融合。開放世界探索與競速結合的設計被認為大膽且新鮮，尤其是無縫地圖與動態天氣的表現令人驚豔。不過，也有部分評論提到，由於遊戲世界過於龐大，某些區域偶爾會有內容密度偏低的感覺。

至於價格，任天堂將《瑪利歐賽車世界》定價為79.99美元，比起以往第一方遊戲的標準售價提高一個檔次，引發熱烈討論。官方說明指出，龐大開發規模、豐富內容與長期支援計畫（包括未來擴展包與線上活動）正是價格上升的主要原因。

總體來說，《瑪利歐賽車世界》不僅繼承瑪利歐賽車系列歷代的優點，更在玩法、表現與自由度上做出了巨大進化。對於新玩家來說，是充滿樂趣的速度冒險；而對老玩家而言，則是充滿驚喜與懷舊元素交織的全新旅程。作為Switch 2時代的開場代表作，毫無疑問，已經成功地將系列推向新的高峰。

Mario Kart World is Nintendo’s latest racing game, released in 2025 for the Nintendo Switch 2. As a mainline sequel in the Mario Kart series, it marks a major transformation by combining traditional circuit racing with open-world exploration for the first time. Launching alongside the Switch 2, it quickly became one of the console’s flagship titles.

The story maintains the series’ signature lighthearted and humorous tone, without focusing on serious narrative development. Instead, the game world itself is crafted to create a coherent, unified "Mario World." Players can freely drive across a vast map featuring diverse environments such as bustling cities, mysterious jungles, snowy plains, deserts, and even underwater metropolises, all seamlessly connected without any loading screens. This design allows players not only to participate in traditional races but also to freely explore, take on side quests, discover hidden mini-games, and interact with other players in real-time, creating an unprecedented racing adventure experience.

In terms of gameplay, the intuitive controls from previous entries are retained but now include deeper layers of skill-based mechanics. Players can choose from over 40 characters from the Mario universe, with different costumes and attribute variations. A new "Charged Jump" system has been introduced, allowing players to perform more advanced tricks during races, such as leaping across giant chasms, briefly driving along walls, or gliding through the air. Additionally, a new "Rewind" feature lets players jump back a few seconds in time after a mistake to correct their error, though it must be used strategically, as the race itself does not pause, maintaining a tight and competitive rhythm.

Environmental interaction is another major highlight. Dynamic weather and day-night cycles directly affect track conditions—for example, heavy rain makes roads slippery, and nighttime reduces visibility, requiring players to adapt their driving style. Tracks are no longer just closed circuits; they are filled with hidden shortcuts, interactive mechanisms, and secret areas waiting to be discovered.

As for game modes, in addition to the classic Grand Prix, Time Trial, and Battle modes, a new "Knockout Tour" mode has been introduced. In this large-scale elimination race across a continuous world map, players must pass checkpoints while the ones at the back are eliminated at intervals, until a single racer remains to claim victory. There's also a "Free Exploration Mode," where players can drive and explore without time limits or rankings, simply enjoying the journey. A robust photo mode allows players to capture memorable moments throughout their adventure.

Upon release, Mario Kart World received widespread critical and fan acclaim. Most reviews praised it for successfully breathing new life into the classic franchise, cleverly blending traditional racing fun with modern open-world gaming trends. The open-world design and seamless dynamic environments were especially lauded for their boldness and technical achievement. However, some reviews mentioned that due to the vastness of the world, certain areas occasionally felt sparsely populated or underdeveloped.

In terms of pricing, Nintendo set Mario Kart World at $79.99 USD, a step higher than their usual first-party game pricing, sparking much discussion. Nintendo explained that the increased cost reflected the game's massive development scale, extensive content, and long-term support plans, including future expansion packs and online events.

Overall, Mario Kart World not only preserves the beloved elements of past Mario Kart games but also delivers massive advancements in gameplay, performance, and player freedom. For newcomers, it offers a thrilling speed adventure; for veteran fans, it’s a fresh journey woven with nostalgia and surprises. As a launch title for the Switch 2 era, it has undoubtedly propelled the series to new heights.