i thought that too
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Mario Kart World discussion thread
- Thread starter Perkilator
- Start date
Thegameandwatch
Smash Ace
Maybe Nintendo is waiting until he gets a major game appearance after the movie?
Louie G.
Smash Legend
I suppose the difference in my mindset here is that for me, I'm not so deeply invested in the Mario Kart roster to feel robbed of my immersion. Not like Smash, where every fighter is intricately crafted to be the perfect encapsulation of who that character is and offer a characteristic fighting style. To most people, every Mario Kart character is going to be functionally the same. Being able to race as a favorite character of mine is more of a perk than a defining element.
That isn't to dismiss the value in a character you do like. I downloaded Mario Kart Tour specifically because King Bob-Omb was playable, and I just downloaded it again to play as Poochy. And there's a reason we were all upset that Waluigi wasn't in Mario Kart 7. So I don't particularly blame people for being upset that some picks like Diddy Kong or Kamek, who kinda feel like the bare minimum in such a large roster, are absent here. I agree with that. But the spite toward common mooks and species beyond that makes less sense to me.
Because a lot of these characters are just really fun colorful designs. At the end of the day, I'm looking at the back of this character's head 80% of the time and the other 20% of the time is if they have cool tricks or funny voice lines. We can split hairs on "real" characters all day but as long as they're entertaining to see behind the wheel... that's it, right? No disrespect toward people that do have that sense of investment in being able to race as "real" characters, but this is the game where it arguably matters the least. Even Mario Tennis, Golf or Baseball give everyone some kind of unique ability or swinging style while Mario Kart is pretty much standardized gameplay with the exception of weight, acceleration and speed. In execution, what is a "generic" racer like Pianta lacking that a "real" character has? Or even Goomba, the most generic mook imaginable, and one of the most highly requested racers for years? With the limited scope that Mario Kart offers through its character representation, their value is no different than someone more defined like Fawful or Ashley.
Not trying to convince anyone of anything, if people really do have this level of personal investment that's their prerogative and we're just not really gonna understand each other. But I felt like talking about this because as fun as it is to discuss, getting upset over the Mario Kart roster the way we would if our favorite character was absent from Smash Bros just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I'm pretty disappointed that a few faves missed out or this and that mook were prioritized over someone I would have really enjoyed like Thwomp, but it's mostly splitting hairs.
That isn't to dismiss the value in a character you do like. I downloaded Mario Kart Tour specifically because King Bob-Omb was playable, and I just downloaded it again to play as Poochy. And there's a reason we were all upset that Waluigi wasn't in Mario Kart 7. So I don't particularly blame people for being upset that some picks like Diddy Kong or Kamek, who kinda feel like the bare minimum in such a large roster, are absent here. I agree with that. But the spite toward common mooks and species beyond that makes less sense to me.
Because a lot of these characters are just really fun colorful designs. At the end of the day, I'm looking at the back of this character's head 80% of the time and the other 20% of the time is if they have cool tricks or funny voice lines. We can split hairs on "real" characters all day but as long as they're entertaining to see behind the wheel... that's it, right? No disrespect toward people that do have that sense of investment in being able to race as "real" characters, but this is the game where it arguably matters the least. Even Mario Tennis, Golf or Baseball give everyone some kind of unique ability or swinging style while Mario Kart is pretty much standardized gameplay with the exception of weight, acceleration and speed. In execution, what is a "generic" racer like Pianta lacking that a "real" character has? Or even Goomba, the most generic mook imaginable, and one of the most highly requested racers for years? With the limited scope that Mario Kart offers through its character representation, their value is no different than someone more defined like Fawful or Ashley.
Not trying to convince anyone of anything, if people really do have this level of personal investment that's their prerogative and we're just not really gonna understand each other. But I felt like talking about this because as fun as it is to discuss, getting upset over the Mario Kart roster the way we would if our favorite character was absent from Smash Bros just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I'm pretty disappointed that a few faves missed out or this and that mook were prioritized over someone I would have really enjoyed like Thwomp, but it's mostly splitting hairs.
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LiveStudioAudience
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I think for some fans it just comes down the principle of the thing and the lack of decent answer as to why certain fan favorites are gone. All that time waiting for those like Petey Pirahna, Diddy, and others to get into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with a final roster being a pretty good starting point to expand on in the next game... and then some are just not included. Especially given the scope of World, the clear effort to take advantage of Switch 2 hardware, and now the $80 price tag, it simply comes off as silly that including a few more characters (that were already in previous games mind you) was either too much work, of little interest to the developers, or being saved for DLC.
And as irrational as it may be, it does often manifest in resentment towards the mooks that did get in the game. For fans that liked those aforementioned characters a thought that cow was special enough to get into Mario Kart, but not apparently Diddy Kong becomes almost an inevitability even to those that intellectually know the situation is likely far more complex than that. All the wacky cast additions in the world will not entirely remove a sentiment towards Nintendo of "You took something away that you didn't need to."
And as irrational as it may be, it does often manifest in resentment towards the mooks that did get in the game. For fans that liked those aforementioned characters a thought that cow was special enough to get into Mario Kart, but not apparently Diddy Kong becomes almost an inevitability even to those that intellectually know the situation is likely far more complex than that. All the wacky cast additions in the world will not entirely remove a sentiment towards Nintendo of "You took something away that you didn't need to."
Gorgonzales
Smash Lord
You see, the issue with your picks is that (other than Whittle) they all come from Odyssey, which we cannot include characters from in spinoffs for some reason.
Except the New Donkers and even then they're only a split-second cameo for one character's super in Aces.
Mushroomguy12
Smash Hero
This rabbit day, I'm advocating for Star Bunny in the roster.
Boing-oing!
Boing-oing!
that’s the one from SM64 right?
PLATINUM7
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Thegameandwatch
Smash Ace
He is weirdly enough absent from the DS version since he was replaced by colored rabbits that are used to get mini-games (the rabbits are supposedly called MIP in the games code so its more like split).Yep.
That means that he doesn't have modern design if its about the distinct character from the original game.
I am completely on boardYep.
Maybe to you, it is. I'm coming from a background of Mario RPGs, platformers, Kart, and a little bit of Party. As far as the playable/main cast, those games historically ride almost entirely on named characters with maybe a token mook or two for variety, and that was perfect for me. I'll readily admit I don't like mooks, I find them boring for the most part (and kinda took it for granted not knowing this is apparently an unpopular opinion), but in a game with better options, I just don't select them; It's that simple. In World, basically all the characters I do like are gone and now it feels like I have to choose a mook just to break even. It doesn't feel like I'm picking my favorite character from a given lineup, it feels like I'm consigning myself to something lesser, especially assuming the mooks will have fewer, if any costumes to choose from. It's not about putting the game on a pedestal like Smash (which I don't and think too many people do), I just don't have a character in a game I want to play and that kinda sucks.
Honestly, yeah. Sluggers feels like it earns its mooks by having what feels like everyone under the sun bar the RPGs and WarioWare, which were a whole lot younger at the time. World feels like they threw in everything and the kitchen sink, but forgot the fridge.
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Seriously? Look, I can understand being meh towards the generic enemies and such. But this game still has a very large chunk of the main Mario cast playable. Only Diddy and Funky are absent from Mario Kart Wii, Only Koopalings and Metal Copies from base Mario Kart 8, only R.O.B. from Mario Kart DS, and he's even back as a bike.
Saying something like this with a roster like this reads like you just don't like Mario characters and are better off with a different franchise
chocolatejr9
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You guys think he ever got to that appointment of his?Yep.
Forgot Dry Bowser from Wii. And Petey from Double Dash. And Kamek from 8.
So, yeah, that is all my favorites. But I guess I just don't like Mario and have been fooling myself for 20 years. Apologies.
None of those characters are staples (well, Kamek is, but being a support role is pretty common for him) and none of them were in Base Mario Kart 8. Sounds like you're used to having to pick a new character so I'm sure you'll manage. You mentioned Petey in Double Dash? Who did you pair him up with? Sounds like you're probably a King Boo kind of guy
BonafideFella
Smash Journeyman
my main concern with the mook roster is mostly the fact they’re all relatively the same size/general nubby proportions — ofc that’s bc that’s how most mario enemies are designed
but that’s why i LOVE pokey or conkdor, big tall fellas — give me stairface ogre ! or dragoneel !
but that’s why i LOVE pokey or conkdor, big tall fellas — give me stairface ogre ! or dragoneel !
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Pretty much. Late N64 and Gamecube-era really made great use of it and it's been a tradition since. Some enemies/NPCs/allies really get to shine well with their quirky and unique characteristics or mannerisms we already have come to know in mainline games.
My most consistent main across the Mario Karts has always Koopa Troopa - and I came to like him primarily in same game that allowed me to also play as Diddy Kong first time in the series.
Speaking of Koopa, the images of him are so heckin' cute, this game really makes the mainstay racers pop out~ Look at my boii.
I'd really like to see other branches of Mario join in on Mario Kart with select characters as representation, but mooks/NPCs and allies in playable spots have always been a core part of the series and liven up the roster by a mile - and I've enjoyed select of them highly (Koopa, Shy Guy and Wiggler in 7, less extent in MK8DX). I don't want them gone or barred from the series for this very reason.
I mean, it's just really been mainly how it's been a smorgasboard of them coming from very quantity over quality-based mindset having brought in a bit of... very late addition-type-a feel to them that annoys me primarily as it kinda does emphasize how some of them just don't really look that interesting or even believable in action. This combined with how we're seeing one character having been overdue, getting already demoted primarily for them to exist whilst certain other mainstays are missing, just doesn't sit too well with me.
In all honesty, I feel like the devs should have just gone with a different implementation on what Kamek's Magic already does for starters (turning you to playable mook + bringing them to the race track) - primarily by not bootstrapping him to it and maybe exploring Wonder Flower in more "lite" for to drive same thing.
Now again, one more thing I'm wondering right now is if this whole "Kamek"-thing is due localization following this trend again where they translated Magikoopas as "Kameks" again per their Japanese original name (Much like what Super Mario Maker's done quite a while.) - incase we get a surprise reveal thing that yes, he's still a racer anyway (but like, making me ask if the "Magikoopa"-term's being phased out for some inexplicable reason.)
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If there was an in-game achievement about using Kamek dozens and dozens of times in order to unlock him, that'd be lowkey genius.
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MartianSnake
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Mario has some of the best random enemy and npc design in the gaming industry, its legitimately one of the best aspects of the series, and ive wanted spinoffs where you collect them like Pokémon for ages now. They're all filled with unique charm that makes people gravitate towards them, not to mention, they're easy for newcomers to the series to get at a glance. Would you be complaining if they made a Pokémon Kart and filled it with Pokémon? You may not find charm in them on an individual level, but a lot of people do.I don't get wanting unnamed, generic characters in a game like this. Wanting more mooks in general, I can understand even if I don't agree, but pulling for specific ones? Nah, that just makes no sense to me. Other than Shroob, which is a pipe dream at best, I can't think of a single enemy I actively want in this game. Blooper, maybe? Even then, I wouldn't pick a Blooper over Dry Bowser if given the choice.
Actually, **** it, going Joker mode. Gimme Spiky Topman. They were already in Mario Kart Wii as a hazard, after all!
Edit: and, people like projecting their own personalities onto them, you can't do that with proper named characters
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That game technically does exist. Puzzle and Dragons Mario Edition for 3DS
And also AlphaRad recently did a Pokemon rom called Super Mario Mob that is just Pokemon with Mario
MartianSnake
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Yeah I'm aware of both, kinda want one that's larger scale and not a reskin of an existing style, but that's getting off topic
Mario & Sonic Guy
Old rivalries live on!
Imagine if we ended up getting a generic Magikoopa as a playable character...
GoldenYuiitusin
Smash Champion
No offense to Kamek, but what would literally be the difference that you can't just say "that's Kamek" even if given the "Magikoopa" label?
Mario & Sonic Guy
Old rivalries live on!
Amusingly, in Mario Party 9, the playable Magikoopa was only named Kamek outside of North America.
MartianSnake
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It would bother me for really specific reasons I can't get into because I'd sound crazy
Gorgonzales
Smash Lord
Amen to that.
You'd be hard-pressed to find another game's set of enemies with this much whimsy and personality. Every new Mario game introduces a slew of new enemies I actively hope to become playable.
Mario enemies are peak character design. Everyone has a favorite.
Yes, I do usually pick a new character not because my fave from last game got cut, but because one of the new characters catches my eye. I didn't pick R.O.B. in DS after going "aw man, Petey's gone, guess I'll pick this robot guy," I just saw the cool robot from Smash and picked him. Same story with Dry Bowser in Wii and Metal Mario in 7. Meanwhile I look at World's roster and I'm just sorta left going "uhhhhhh" because every single new character is the same genre of generic, which is where we run into the issue of variety again. If you for some reason liked mooks and only mooks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, no problem; you had 4-5 different mooks to choose from, go nuts. Likewise, if you liked boss characters who usually aren't playable or characters from outside the typical Mario lexicon, you usually had at least one or two of those to choose from. Compare to Mario Kart World where the only two types of characters are The Classics You've Come To Expect! ©1997 and nameless baddies, and if you aren't into either of those, looks like you'd better start.
I'm a simple man. I see cool character, I pick. Mario Kart World has failed to provide this for me, and I am forced to compromise. Does that make sense?
Well, no, because that's clearly a different thing. The appeal of Pokemon patently is the Pokemon; finding, catching, and training your favorites. If someone who likes Pokemon isn't into it for the neat critters you can find, safe to say they're in the minority and a Pokemon-focused spinoff isn't for them. You don't boot up 3D World to pop off when you get to Switch Scramble Circus like "YOOOOOOOO IT'S STINGBY" (unless the subculture of Mook Enjoyers™ goes even deeper than I've been led to believe).
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PLATINUM7
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I really hope it's a demo thing.
1. Chain Chomps are my favourite Mario enemy so getting them playable would be cool.
2. I love that we've gotten some Super Mario Land enemies back after so many years. Making them playable as well would also be cool.
I see, so it's not just that it's generic enemies. You tend to gravitate towards new characters generally but this time the new characters are lacking for you. This is fair.
I know he's technically not new but does Nabbit do anything for you? This is his first time outside of Tour. There's also Pianta who I'm gravitating a bit towards for feeling overdue (also quite excited for Cataquack.)
Who knows, maybe with all the costumes, you'll find yourself gravitating to a classic character. I was already a fan of King Boo but I am absolutely loving his costumes and slightly updated look. I see myself using him even more now.
I'm fairly neutral on Nabbit. I had a feeling he was gonna show up here after they shoved him into Wonder, and I find him marginally more interesting than the main cast by virtue of not showing up all the time, but nothing more. Pianta and Cataquack tickle my fancy insofar as Sunshine not getting the short end of the stick for once, but they aren't exactly "I wanna main that guy" material for me either. At this point, I'm ready to begrudgingly and/or ironically hunker down with either of them until the eventuality of DLC hopefully brings back my boys (or at least someone new who doesn't feel like filler). I already had to do that waiting for Dry Bowser in 8, so here's hoping they don't just let this game sit for half a decade like they did with Deluxe.
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MartianSnake
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There's a pretty big Mook Enjoyer fanbase out there, even if they themselves don't realize it. A ton of people do scope out and pray for Dry Bones in spinoffs in particular, same with shy guy and a few others. People like these creatures, love them, even.
Borskaboska
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That's why they gotta bring back character items from Double Dash.
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Dry Bones and Shy Guy are neat, but I don't really "scope out" specific characters when I look at a Mario spinoff; that just ain't me. I'm pretty open to whoever shows up as long as there ends up being someone who jumps out at me, which is why I wasn't worried when I didn't see any of my go-to's in the Switch 2 reveal. World's the first time I've felt outright alienated by a Mario roster, even if it's far from the worst this series has seen. If this is how the world's biggest Coin Coffer fan felt prior to April 2nd, 2025, then I guess I understand.
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MartianSnake
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Not saying you have to like coin coffer and fishbone and all that. You said earlier that wanting specific enemies in the roster was something you didn't understand, so I was explaining it the best I could
Not all these generic enemies stand out to me, but Cataquack and ParaBiddyBuddy absolutely do and I'll be enjoying them a lot. I've also always been a big Boo and Shy Guy enjoyer.
Boo especially is one of my most used characters in Mario Party and is my main in Mario Party's 5-8
Boo especially is one of my most used characters in Mario Party and is my main in Mario Party's 5-8
ivanlerma
Smash Master
I'm always liking some of the enemies in mario which makes me glad to see a lot of my favorites return such as Shy Guy, Koopa, Wiggler, and of course my boi Dry Bones.
As for some of the new enemies i'm interested in playing them and seeing who i'll like from the list.
As for some of the new enemies i'm interested in playing them and seeing who i'll like from the list.
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I actually love Para Biddy Bud, Dolphin and Conkdor.
So I'm glad they're in.
So I'm glad they're in.
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Biddy Bud are so good. They've only been around since 3D Land but feel like such quintessential Mario enemy. They feel so right among the Mario cast and being playable is perfect after being the best vehicle in Mario Kart 8