After Nintendo’s exhilarating Direct livestream on Wednesday morning, which exclusively showcased the forthcoming Switch 2, I had the chance to try out a number of the new console’s most eagerly awaited titles. With the Switch 2 slated for release on June 5, it’s clear that Nintendo’s own offerings are poised to be significant highlights.
Two remarkable games I experienced were Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong: Bananza. Although the latter won’t be ready at launch, both games left a remarkable impression—not just as individual titles, but also as demonstrations of the Switch 2’s potential. Let’s explore what makes them so thrilling.
Mario Kart World Might Be the Series’ Most Ambitious Title Yet
Initially, the $80 price point for Mario Kart World might make some players hesitate. It’s a hefty investment, especially considering that $70 games have only recently become standard. However, after sampling it, I can assert that Mario Kart World could be one of the most daring and enjoyable installments in the series.
The most significant transformation? A vast, seamless open world. This fresh design affects every element of the game, including the classic Grand Prix mode. Instead of merely transitioning from track to track, players now cruise between races, offering a more engaging and continuous experience.
The chaos has also been heightened: races now include 24 competitors instead of the usual 12. And if that weren’t enough, the new Knockout Tour mode introduces an exhilarating twist. In this elimination-style race, players traverse a continent, hitting checkpoints as they go. If you’re behind the cutoff position when you reach a checkpoint, you’re eliminated. It’s a tense, high-stakes format that injects a new sense of urgency into the series.
Character customization has taken a backseat in favor of simplicity. Rather than mixing and matching kart components, you now select a character and a kart—reminiscent of simpler times. While it’s uncertain if characters have hidden attributes, none were apparent during my demo, enhancing the game’s accessible nature.
Mario Kart World also incorporates amusing new features like rail grinding and wall-jumping, along with mid-race costume alterations and zany moments—such as everyone transforming into Goombas during a stampede. It’s chaotic, vibrant, and endlessly surprising—everything fans adore about Mario Kart, turned up to 11.
Donkey Kong: Bananza Is a Delightfully Chaotic Comeback
Donkey Kong: Bananza represents the legendary ape’s return to 3D platforming after a 25-year break, and it’s focused on one thing: punching. Out of the four face buttons on the Switch controller, three are assigned to different punch directions. The fourth is for jumping—since yes, jumping is still necessary at times.
The game’s levels are expansive and vertically oriented, featuring destructible environments that prompt you to punch your way through barriers rather than sidestepping them. Donkey Kong isn’t here to take a gentle approach—he’s ready to smash.
Though my experience with Bananza was brief, it was sufficient to grasp its unique mechanics. DK can tear up sections of the ground to use as makeshift weapons or ride them like a snowboard. He can scale vertical surfaces and roll into a ball, making him surprisingly nimble compared to other platforming heroes.
What really impressed me was the sense of exploration. The game invites you to discover in a way that feels almost rebellious—only to realize you’ve found a hidden zone or secret route. And above all, it’s incredibly satisfying to punch everything in your path.
With Bananza scheduled to launch just a month after the Switch 2, it’s shaping up to be an essential play for enthusiasts of action-packed platformers.
Final Thoughts
Both Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong: Bananza underscore Nintendo’s dedication to innovation and enjoyment with the Switch 2. Whether you’re racing through an expansive open world or smashing through breakable terrain, these titles promise to offer the kind of joyful mayhem that only Nintendo can create. If these initial experiences are any indication, the Switch 2 is off to a very promising start.