Mon. Sep 8th, 2025

Major Mario Kart World Update Targets Player Experience

Mario Kart World has received a significant new update, introducing various minor but anticipated adjustments, alongside a major change that many players have requested. According to Nintendo`s patch notes for version 1.2.0, now available for download, the game will now feature `an increased frequency of lap-based courses` when selecting tracks in `VS Race` and wireless matches. This addresses a common player complaint, as many prefer traditional three-lap races over the game`s shorter `intermission` races.

Previously, a monthly update had inadvertently reduced the availability of three-lap races, so this revision to increase their prevalence is likely to be well-received, assuming the boost is substantial. Other notable improvements include a visual change in `Free Roam` mode: collecting all P Switches, ? Panels, and Peach Medallions will now cause the `colors of various numbers to change.` Furthermore, Non-Player Characters (NPCs) have been weakened across all modes except `Battle,` and the odds of acquiring a Triple Dash Mushroom while in a low position have been reduced, which might disappoint some players.

The update also brings several quality-of-life enhancements. Players can now select which participant to spectate in `Knockout Tour,` `Balloon Battle,` `Online Play,` `Wireless Play,` and `LAN Play.` Additionally, `Online Play,` `Wireless Play,` and `LAN Play` modes will now display the waiting time before the next race or battle begins. For `VS Race` and `Single Player` modes, players can now opt for `No COM` (no computer players) in the COM rules.

This comprehensive update includes numerous other fixes and modifications. For a complete list, refer to the detailed patch notes below:

Patch 1.2 Notes

General Improvements:

  • In “VS Race” for “Single Player,” “No COM” has been added to the COM rules, allowing races without computer opponents.
  • “Mushrooms only” has been added to the item rules for “VS Race” in both “Single Player” and “Multiplayer” modes.
  • Players can now choose “View Replay” after downloading ghost data in “Time Trials.”
  • When spectating in “Knockout Tour” and “Balloon Battle” (in “Online Play,” “Wireless Play,” and “LAN Play”), players can now select which participant to watch.
  • “Online Play,” “Wireless Play,” and “LAN Play” modes now display the waiting time until the next race or battle begins.
  • When using CameraPlay in “Multiplayer” and “Online Play,” the game will now remember the camera cursor position and size until the player closes the game.
    • Note: If the number of players changes, the cursor position and size will reset to their original settings.
  • On the “Free Roam” map, collecting all P Switches, ? Panels, and Peach Medallions will now cause the colors of various numbers to change.
  • Computer-controlled opponents (COM) have been made weaker in all modes except “Battle.”
  • The homing ability of the Boomerang item has been reduced.
  • The probability of obtaining a Triple Dash Mushroom while in a low position has been decreased, unless item rules are set to “Frantic.”
  • The likelihood of getting a ? Block has been increased, unless item rules are set to “Frantic.”
  • A wheel spinning animation now occurs if the player presses the A button (acceleration) too early when starting a race.
    • Note: Players will not lose speed even if their wheels are spinning.
  • The frequency of lap-type courses appearing in the selection for the next course in “VS Race” and wireless races has been increased.

Fixed Issues:

  • Corrected an issue where rate fluctuations were sometimes displayed incorrectly in wireless races.
  • Resolved an issue where vehicles would remain floating in the air after jumping off a half pipe.
  • Fixed a bug where a player crashing while gliding and then using a Bullet Bill would cause them to go out of bounds.
  • Addressed an issue where exiting Rewind while wall riding would prevent the driver`s posture from returning to normal.
  • Fixed a bug where the item displayed in the item slot would change upon use.
  • Resolved an issue in “Online Play” where the player would not dash even when hitting a Dash Panel.
  • Corrected incorrect point displays in team races during “Wireless Play.”
  • Fixed an issue where controls occasionally became inoperable on the menu screen after a player was retired in “Balloon Battle” during “Wireless Play.”
  • Addressed a bug where a Peach Medallion would sometimes disappear when using Rewind in “Free Roam.”
  • Fixed an issue where controls occasionally became inoperable when the player selected their own character or course and pressed A on the “Free Roam” map.
  • Resolved a bug where controls sometimes became inoperable when a player quit a mission in “Free Roam” just before entering a pipe.
  • Fixed an issue where players would slip through certain drift ice around “Sky-High Sundae.”
  • Addressed a bug where players would get caught on the outside of a handrail right after the start of “Airship Fortress.”
  • Fixed an issue where players would get caught on the fence and be unable to move forward in “Bowser`s Castle.”
  • Resolved a bug where using a Bullet Bill in “Bowser`s Castle” would prevent gliding, causing the player to fall into the abyss.
  • Fixed an issue where using a Mega Mushroom on the last turn of “Whistlestop Summit” would cause players to go out of bounds.
  • Addressed a bug where players could not exit a location after falling from a railroad if “Smart Steering” was on in “Whistlestop Summit.”
  • Fixed an issue where players would slip through the ground at a ramp near the goal in “Choco Mountain.”
  • Resolved a bug where players would get caught on a block when using a Bullet Bill on the road entering “Choco Mountain.”
  • Fixed an issue where players would get caught on a wooden plank when throwing a green shell on the road between “DK Spaceport” and “Whistlestop Summit.”
  • Corrected an issue where the last place position was sometimes incorrect in wireless races of “Dino Dino Jungle.”
  • Fixed a bug where players would get caught on the back of a leaf when using a Bullet Bill in “Acorn Heights.”
  • Addressed an issue where players could not slip through a vase in “Shy Guy Bazaar” when using a Boo.
  • Fixed a bug where players would slip through the ceiling in “Dry Bones Burnout.”
  • Resolved an issue where players would sometimes hit a fence when throwing a red shell on the first turn in “Moo Moo Meadows.”
  • Fixed a visual bug where part of the bridge transforming effects heading toward “Rainbow Road” did not display.
  • Addressed an issue where players would slip through the ground on the road between “Starview Peak” and “Sky-High Sundae.”
  • Fixed a bug where some item boxes would not appear in “Wario Shipyard.”
  • Resolved an issue where players would slip through the bottom of a rock near the goal of “Wario Shipyard.”
  • Fixed a bug where players would go out of bounds when using a Mega Mushroom on a turn inside “Wario Stadium.”
  • Addressed an issue where players get caught on a tree in the middle of a shortcut if “Smart Steering” is on when heading from “Starview Peak” to “Dandelion Depths” in “Ice Rally” of “Knockout Tour.”
  • Several other minor issues have also been addressed to improve the overall gameplay experience.

By Bramwell Nightingale

A Toronto-based gaming journalist with over eight years of experience covering the North American gaming industry. Started his career writing for independent gaming blogs before establishing himself as a reliable source for breaking gaming news. Specializes in AAA game releases and studio acquisitions across Canada and the US. His investigative approach to gaming industry developments has earned him respect among developers and publishers alike

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