Today's Mario Kart World Direct provided an exciting deep dive into the game's innovative Free Roam mode, shedding light on its multiplayer capabilities and the activities players can engage in while exploring the expansive world of Mario Kart.
During our hands-on experience with Mario Kart World last week, we didn't fully explore the Free Roam mode. However, today's Direct gave us a comprehensive overview. Free Roam introduces a groundbreaking feature to the Mario Kart series, allowing players to freely navigate a vast, open-world map reminiscent of Forza Horizon. Unlike previous Mario Kart titles where race tracks were isolated and only accessible during races, Mario Kart World integrates these tracks into a seamless open world, enabling players to travel between them and explore the surrounding areas in designated game modes.
In Free Roam mode, when not racing, players can embark on mini-adventures. The world is filled with hidden collectibles such as coins and ? panels, though the exact benefits of collecting these items remain undisclosed. Additionally, players can interact with P-Switches scattered throughout the map, triggering small challenges like collecting blue coins.
Another exciting feature of Free Roam is the Photo Mode, which allows players to capture moments with their racers in various poses and angles at any time. Free Roam is not limited to solo play; it supports multiplayer options as well. Players can explore together, take photos, complete challenges, or simply enjoy each other's company. The mode accommodates up to four players on the same system via split-screen, or up to eight players through local wireless play, with two players per system.
Beyond Free Roam, the Mario Kart World Direct unveiled a range of new characters, courses, and additional modes. To stay updated on all the latest announcements, you can find more information right here.
