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.