Mario Kart World is under fire from its player base following the release of the version 1.1.2 update on June 25, which quietly changed the dynamics of online racing — and not for the better, according to many fans. What began as a seemingly minor patch has ignited a wave of review bombing, with frustrated players voicing their outrage across Metacritic, app stores, and gaming forums.
🛠️ What’s in the Controversial Update?
While the official patch notes for version 1.1.2 only listed a handful of tweaks, one major gameplay change has caused a stir:
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When selecting “Random” in a wireless VS Race, the pool of courses has been altered.
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As a result, intermission courses — previously rare — are now far more frequent.
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These courses only require a single lap after reaching the track, compared to the standard three-lap races that players prefer.
This shift has dramatically changed the online experience for many, replacing the fast-paced competitive races with shorter, less engaging intermission tracks — a move the community sees as a downgrade rather than an improvement.
📉 Review Bombing Begins
Within just a few days of the update, Mario Kart World’s Metacritic user score dropped from 8.3 to 7.8, as reported by TheGamer. Negative user reviews have flooded the site, with players venting frustration over both the update’s content and Nintendo’s lack of communication.
💬 Player Demands and Feedback
Many users are now calling for:
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The return of Grand Prix mode seen in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
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Better matchmaking options that allow players to avoid intermission races
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The ability to race single tracks with friends freely
Across Reddit and Twitter/X, hashtags like #FixMarioKartWorld have gained momentum, with players urging Nintendo to revert the changes or at least offer more options for customizing online races.
🕵️ Nintendo’s Silence
As of now, Nintendo has yet to respond publicly to the backlash. The company is known for being cautious in its statements, but with the community’s sentiment turning sharply negative, fans are hoping for a rollback or a new patch that addresses their concerns.
The version 1.1.2 update was meant to be a small fix, but it has sparked a major backlash that Nintendo can’t afford to ignore. As review scores plummet and user dissatisfaction grows, Mario Kart World risks losing long-term players unless adjustments are made swiftly.
Will Nintendo patch things up, or is this a bump in the road the franchise can’t steer around? Only time — and player feedback — will tell.