Mario Kart World Boosts Lap Races, Nerfs CPUs in Major Update

Version 1.2.0 Rolls Out with Player-Requested Changes and Bug Fixes

Nintendo’s mobile racing title, Mario Kart World, has received a significant update, addressing player feedback regarding course selection and AI difficulty. Version 1.2.0 aims to enhance the overall gameplay experience with a mix of new features and essential fixes.

Lap Course Frequency Adjusted

Following community discussion, Nintendo has increased the appearance rate of lap-type courses during “VS Race” and wireless play sessions. This adjustment seeks to balance the course rotation and cater to preferences expressed by the player base.

CPU Difficulty Scaled Back

A key highlight of the update is the reduction in CPU opponent difficulty across most game modes, excluding Battle. This change should make races more accessible and enjoyable for a wider range of players.

New Options and Conveniences Added

The update introduces several player-requested features. In “Single Player VS Race,” a “No COM” option for rules has been added. Item rules can now be set to “Mushrooms only.” For “Time Trials,” players can now select “View Replay” after downloading ghost data. Spectator options in “Online Play,” “Wireless Play,” and “LAN Play” have been expanded, allowing players to choose whom to watch in “Knockout Tour” and “Balloon Battle.” Additionally, waiting times for upcoming races or battles are now visible in multiplayer modes.

Gameplay Enhancements and Fixes Detailed

Further adjustments include retaining camera cursor positions and sizes in “Multiplayer” and “Online Play” until the game is closed, provided the number of players remains consistent. The “Free Roam” map now features color-changing numbers upon collecting all P Switches, ? Panels, and Peach Medallions. The homing of the Boomerang item has been weakened, and the probability of obtaining a Triple Dash Mushroom in lower positions has been decreased unless “Frantic” item rules are active. The order of acquiring ? Blocks has been raised. A visual cue for premature acceleration at the start of a race has been added, with no speed penalty incurred for spinning wheels.

Numerous issues have also been resolved. These include incorrect rate fluctuations in wireless races, vehicles floating after half-pipe jumps, players going out of bounds when crashing while gliding with a Bullet Bill, and incorrect driver postures after quitting a “Rewind” while wall riding. Item slot displays are now more reliable, and dash panel functionality in “Online Play” has been fixed. Team race point displays and controls in “Balloon Battle” after retirement have been corrected. Several course-specific glitches have been addressed, such as players slipping through terrain, getting caught on environment elements, or falling out of bounds after specific item uses or maneuvers.

The update also tackles issues with item boxes not appearing correctly in “Wario Shipyard” and environmental collision problems in various tracks, including “Sky-High Sundae,” “Airship Fortress,” “Bowser’s Castle,” “Whistlestop Summit,” “Choco Mountain,” “DK Spaceport,” “Dino Dino Jungle,” “Acorn Heights,” “Shy Guy Bazaar,” “Dry Bones Burnout,” “Moo Moo Meadows,” and “Rainbow Road.”

According to a recent industry report, mobile gaming revenue reached an estimated $92.3 billion in 2023, underscoring the continued engagement with on-the-go gaming experiences like Mario Kart World (Newzoo, 2023).

Players can find more details on the previous update for Mario Kart World here.