ROUNDUP
MARIO KART WORLD
Developer/publisher Nintendo Format Switch 2 Origin Japan Release June 5
Nintendo takes the
Forza Horizon
approach to its racing series for Switch 2’s big launch title. A total of 24 racers should fill some of the extra space in an expansive map dotted with courses. Long-distance knockout tour races join the track-based Grand Prix Mode, or you can forget racing and go off-road.
DONKEY KONG BANANZA
Developer/publisher Nintendo Format Switch 2 Origin Japan Release July 17
With Mario only showing up in his kart during Nintendo’s Switch 2 Direct, it’s going to be left to his oldest rival to fulfil our 3D platforming needs on the new hardware for the foreseeable future. Kong will be spending as much of his time smashing and drilling through scenery as jumping and climbing, however – his ample fists punching holes in the earth and rockfaces alike, where gold nuggets wait to be uncovered. The reveal trailer shows more conventional fare as well, including
Donkey Kong Country
-style side-scrolling sections and an obligatory mine-cart ride. Well, he’ll need a way to transport all that shiny metal.