Mario Kart World Almost Cut Two Core Series Items

Summary

Mario Kart World almost omitted the iconic Banana and Green Shell items before ultimately including them.
The game’s tracks are all connected in an overworld that can be explored in the new Free Roam mode.
Classic power-ups like the Spiny Shell and Bob-Omb are present, with new additions like the Coin Shell and Ice Flower.

Mario Kart World almost left out two of the franchise’s most iconic items for the first time since the original game. The Nintendo Switch 2 is now out in the wild, and with it the latest Mario Kart title. Mario Kart World is one of the first Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives, even being included in a special console bundle that launched on June 5. In a twist on the standard Mario Kart formula, all of Mario Kart World’s tracks are connected in an overworld that players can explore at their leisure thanks to the new Free Roam mode.

When the race begins, the objective in Mario Kart World remains the same as it has always been: make it to the finish line before anyone else. Just like in the previous Mario Kart games, players can use all kinds of zany power-ups to either speed themselves up or slow the competition down, including a few new items like the money-granting Coin Shell, freezing Ice Flower, and even Kamek, the Magikoopa wizard who can transform opposing racers.

How To Download Mario Kart World Switch 2 Bundle Virtual Game Card

To activate a Mario Kart World Switch 2 bundle, you must find the MKW download location in your Nintendo Switch Online settings.

Many of the classic Mario Kart items like the Spiny Shell and Bob-Omb are present and accounted for in Mario Kart World, but two iconic power-ups almost didn’t make the cut for the first time in series history. Producer Kosuke Yabuki spoke with GamesRadar shortly before the release of Mario Kart World, revealing that his team reviewed all of the classic Mario Kart elements to decide what to keep in the latest entry. That list almost didn’t include Mario Kart‘s Banana or the Green Shell, with Yabuki saying that their inclusion initially didn’t make sense in light of Mario Kart World‘s new wall-riding and rail-grinding mechanics.

Mario Kart World Almost Didn’t Have Bananas or Green Shells

However, it was later decided that the Banana and Green Shell power-ups would be included in Mario Kart World after all. Both items have been a part of the franchise since the original Super Mario Kart on the SNES. As one would expect, the Banana peel is placed behind the user and causes any racer who runs into it to spin out of control for a moment. Meanwhile, the Green Koopa Shell flies in a straight line and knocks over anyone it hits, unlike the Red Shells that seek out the nearest opponent and the Spiny Shells that aim straight for the driver in the lead.

Using either of these items to get ahead of the competition might be a little more difficult thanks to Mario Kart World’s more open-track approach, but fans are likely grateful to see these classic power-ups make their triumphant return after almost being left out of the game. As mentioned before, Mario Kart World is now available to anyone fortunate enough to have gotten a Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day, with Nintendo even releasing the game’s first update patch shortly before it was released this week.