Nintendo Switch 2 is Breaking One Major Launch Tradition

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to receive the next entry in the Mario Kart series, with Mario Kart World serving as one of the upcoming console’s launch titles. With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe reigning as the highest-selling Switch game, it’s not surprising to see the Switch 2 debut with Mario Kart World at launch. However, what is surprising is that this release breaks a major trend for Nintendo consoles, setting the Switch 2’s launch up to be one for the ages.

One of the hottest topics among fans leading up to the console’s reveal was predicting the launch line-up for the Switch 2, with many fans anticipating that a new Mario game would make an appearance. Although something like Super Mario Odyssey 2 or another mainline 3D Mario game seemed most likely, the reveal of Mario Kart World and its unique take on the kart racing franchise is more than welcome. With Mario Kart World, the Nintendo Switch 2 forgoes the pattern that the franchise had followed previously by being the first Mario Kart game to launch day one on a new Nintendo console.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 Will Be the First Console with a Day-One Mario Kart Launch

How Past Mario Kart Launch Dates Compare to Mario Kart World

While some Mario Kart titles have been released in the same launch year as a new Nintendo console, such as Mario Kart: Super Circuit on the Game Boy Advance and Mario Kart 7 on the 3DS, the series tends to aim for a mid-generation release. Mario Kart is one of Nintendo’s most popular spin-off series, but hasn’t typically been treated as a system seller in the way that the mainline Mario series has. However, with the success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it seems Nintendo has decided to go all-in on the potential the franchise has to carry the Switch 2’s launch and put Mario Kart World in the spotlight.

Mario Kart World Seems to Be Breaking the Mold for Nintendo in More Ways than One

A console’s slate of games available at launch has the important task of convincing gamers of the need to pick up the new hardware the day it releases, and the Switch set the bar high by releasing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild alongside it. As a key launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World will need to make waves to entice fans to adopt the new console. With the game’s controversial price tag, this feat could be more difficult to achieve than past launch titles have.

However, Mario Kart World does have an ace up its sleeve in the form of its open-world driving gameplay, adopting the same approach that Zelda: Breath of the Wild saw success with. Still, it may be a lot to expect a thriving online racing community to develop around a brand-new console at launch, especially when the bar for entry is high with the Switch 2’s price point. The Switch 2 does have the benefit of its new social features, with the implementation of voice chat and screen sharing that could make a multiplayer title like Mario Kart World the ideal way for players to connect over the Switch 2 at launch.

Systems

Released

June 2, 2025

ESRB

Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact

Developer(s)

Nintendo

Publisher(s)

Nintendo