The Nintendo Switch 2 has already shown off a lot of features that I’m excited to try out, which is why it’s a bit disappointing thatMario Kart Worldwon’t be getting the best one. Although I did see this coming, it was no less disappointing to learn that my most anticipated Switch 2 title wouldn’t be living up to its full potential on the console. Even if I can understand Nintendo’s reasoning behind it, it’s still a bit of a letdown.
Mario Kart Worldmay be just one of manygames coming to the Switch 2 at launch, but it is easily the most exciting. Apart from being brand new, as opposed to a Switch 2 port of an existing game, it’s also a long-awaited new installment to one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises. While I am still excited about playingMario Kart World, I can’t help but feel likeit’s a major wasted opportunity to show off the Switch 2’s best feature.
Mario Kart World Doesn’t Have GameShare
GameShare Lets You Play Multiplayer With One Copy Of A Game
GameShare is a new feature coming to the Switch 2 thatallows you to play multiplayer games with friends, even if only one of you owns a copy of the game. This can be done in person via a local connection, or remotely through an online one. So far, only six games have been announced as having GameShare functionality, but Nintendo has promised that more are on the way.
When Iinitially covered GameShare, I predicted thatMario Kart Worldwouldn’t have it. I had assumed that Nintendo wouldn’t have played coy about this new feature coming to the Switch 2’s buzzy launch title if they wanted to get players excited about it. Now thatwe’ve gotten a full Nintendo Direct dedicated just toMario Kart World, and there was no mention of GameShare, I’m positive that I was right in my prediction.
GameShare Would Be Perfect For Mario Kart
GameShare not coming toMario Kart Worldis a shame, because it feels like the perfect franchise for this feature.Mario Kartis the kind of game you want to play with your friends, but also the kind of game that not all your friends likelywant to pay $80 for. While you can still enjoy local multiplayer with friends, it feels like a major missed opportunity for players who aren’t fortunate enough to live near everyone they want to play with.
This is extra disappointing becausepreviousMario Kartgames did have a feature similar to GameShare. Download Play was essentially the same idea as GameShare, but for the Nintendo DS and 3DS. BothMario Kart DSandMario Kart 7worked with Download Play, so it almost feels like a step backwards forMario Kart Worldnot to have GameShare functionality.
Now, I’m assuming part of the reason here is a financial one.Mario Kart Worldis likely going to be a big seller for the Switch 2, and Nintendo probably doesn’t want to risk people passing up on the game because they know they can use their friend’s copy to play together. Though I won’t pretend to know more than Nintendo’s financial analysts, I’m a little surprised that letting people play free wouldn’t incentivize them to buy their own copy. Whatever the reasons are behind not including it inMario Kart World, it does make me nervous about GameShare’s future.
GameShare Might Not Come With New Games
GameShare Has Only Been Announced For Older Games
One of the worst aspects of GameShare not being included inMario Kart Worldis thatit could set a precedent not to use it at all for newer games. As of now, all the games getting GameShare capabilities are older releases from the original Switch. If GameShare is relegated to just being a feature added to older games, then it is a lot less exciting than I initially thought it would be. I had hoped it would mean more chances to play new Switch 2 games with friends without all of us having to buy every game we play.
Now, there is still some hope that GameShare could become more of what I had hoped it would be. After all, GameShare functionality being added to older games proves it’s something that can be added after a game’s release. Perhaps once the initial wave of sales dies down, we could seeMario Kart Worldbeing retrofitted to work with GameShare. If just waiting a bit is the concession I have to make for GameShare to live up to its full potential, then I won’t be too mad about it. Hopefully the Switch 2 can make good on GameShare’s exciting promise.
