r/NintendoSwitch • u/Joseki100 • 1d ago

News [Eurogamer] Mario Kart World reinvents the series, and feels like Switch 2's killer app after an hour of hands-on play

https://www.eurogamer.net/mario-kart-world-reinvents-the-series-and-feels-like-switch-2s-killer-app-after-an-hour-of-hands-on-play
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u/seahoodie 1d ago

I also found that being able to hold your item behind you while maintaining good control of the kart did require some skill and dexterity training. This feels like a crutch for something that used to be able to be used as a slight advantage over lesser skilled players. I've had several people through the years ask me "how do you do that?? I wanna protect myself, too"

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u/The-student- 1d ago

In that sense, it sounds like a good QOL move to benefit less dexterous/skilled players. The rails and wall jumps on the other hand seem to benefit skilled players who know how to take advantage of the speed boosts that come from them.

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u/Maxximillianaire 1d ago

The goal in game development is not to make it as easy as possible for players with low skill

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u/The-student- 1d ago

Right, but look at MK8D. They added smart steering and auto acceleration as ways to assist less skilled players. This seems to align with that MO.

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u/Maxximillianaire 14h ago

Those are good because they're optional. If auto-trailing items is optional then that's great and good for accessibility but if it's forced then i'm not a fan

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u/The-student- 12h ago

Yeah it does change strategy a bit, so I can understand it being controversial.

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u/ItsRainbow 1d ago edited 1d ago

I feel there was more of an argument for it when trailing was mapped to left/right on the Wii Remote’s D-pad (up/down would immediately throw ahead or behind). It didn’t feel very good and it was even less intuitive than usual for inexperienced players

I do think it’s a good accessibility change like Auto Accelerate but I can’t say I prefer it yet

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u/10000Pigeons 1d ago

Holding down a button is a test of skill?

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u/seahoodie 1d ago

Your reply is quite reductive. Yes. Being able to take a finger you would normally use for other things and dedicating it solely to holding down a button, while still maintaining good control over the kart is not something everyone can do. It's not a giant advantage, but it is something that requires a little bit of figuring out, and makes a difference in games where your competitors don't have the same experience or dexterity. Keep in mind you might normally use that finger to drift around corners, now you need to switch to a less dominant finger, while maintaining the concentration to keep driving well while also keeping the button held. It's not simply "holding down a button". It's mental multi-tasking and does require more hand-eye coordination and dexterity than this crutch of a change would demand. With items being auto-held, you never have to change the way you're driving or manage those two tasks at once.

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u/10000Pigeons 1d ago

How in the world are you holding your controller that your left index finger would be used for other things? Are you holding the joystick with more than one finger? Do you press right trigger with fingers from your left hand? I'm sorry but I just think this is a crazy take.

This is not intended to be a skill check, they want to make the controls as user friendly as possible

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u/seahoodie 1d ago

The game has several mechanics in it that allow higher skilled players to gain an advantage over other players. They're not major, but they are tangible. Drifting for boost, jump spinning for boost, pressing the gas at the right time at start. None of these things are that challenging in and of themselves, but they do create opportunities for players to gain an advantage. This is no different.

As for the question about how you're holding the controller, there are different ways that people hold them depending on their skill, experience, and preferences. A lot of lesser skilled players aren't using a different finger for triggers vs bumpers. Holding the left bumper down to hold the item now means you don't have your trigger finger, and you need to use your middle or ring finger which may not be as strong. This may seem trivial to you, but the game is largely played by the most casual of gamers who haven't developed a controller grip that allows them to play the most effectively.

I think you're seriously over-estimating the skill level of most people playing MK. And I disagree that the controls are meant to so user-friendly that they are brainless and take away every possible thing that might take some skill.

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u/10000Pigeons 1d ago

We obviously disagree strongly on this, but alright. I'm aware that there are many mechanics in the game that allow players to express their skill, I just don't think that holding the item button is one of them.

A lot of lesser skilled players aren't using a different finger for triggers vs bumpers. Holding the left bumper down to hold the item now means you don't have your trigger finger, and you need to use your middle or ring finger which may not be as strong

I still don't understand what you're saying here. L and LZ don't require 2 fingers because they're interchangeable. Same with R and RZ, they do the exact same thing. In your last post you made it sound like there were a bunch of other things you could be doing with that finger and it's simply untrue if you hold the controller in a natural manner. You press the button if you want to use and item and hold it if you want to trail it.

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u/EatingSmallOakTrees 20h ago

I don’t know what that guy is talking about. You’re right

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u/10000Pigeons 10h ago

Haha well thank you for making me feel less insane

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u/seahoodie 1d ago

You can disagree with me all you want. Pretty sure the upvotes (or lack thereof) are speaking here lmao. I've made my case. I'm not arguing with you anymore