Mario Kart World Update Makes Classic Races Hard to Find—Fans Aren’t Happy

Mario Kart World just got a new patch, and honestly, players aren’t thrilled. Nintendo decided to tweak how tracks are chosen in online lobbies, and for many fans, it’s a real game-changer—just not in the way they’d hoped. If you loved the classic three-lap races, you might want to buckle up for some disappointment.

• Key change to online track selection in Mario Kart World
• Three-lap races now much harder to find
• Players frustrated by the focus on “intermission” races
• Nintendo hasn’t commented on the reasoning yet

What’s actually changed in Mario Kart World?

So, here’s the scoop. Nintendo released a patch that tweaks the way you pick the next track in online play. Now, after each race, you get to roam around and vote on three possible tracks. But here’s the catch—they’re always right next to the one you just finished. That means more “intermission” races, where you drive cross-country to the next track and usually do just a single lap once you get there.

The “random” option isn’t what it used to be

Before the update, choosing “random” meant you’d be teleported to a totally different circuit for a proper, old-school three-lap race. That option was super popular, mostly because players aren’t big fans of the intermission races. These tend to be more about long, straight roads and dodging random hazards than about technical cornering and tight competition.

But now? The random button can pick any of the three nearby “intermission” tracks as well as teleport you somewhere else. And from what players are seeing, it’s much more likely to pick those intermission races. In short, there’s no longer a reliable way to guarantee a traditional three-lap circuit. If you want that classic Mario Kart feel, you’ll need to set up a Vs. mode or play in a friends-only lobby.

Community reaction: Not happy, Nintendo

The community’s response has been pretty clear: they’re not happy. Players who were already frustrated with the open-world focus now feel like their favorite way to play is being pushed aside. As one player put it on ResetEra, the random option had become “overwhelmingly popular” because it was the only way to avoid intermission races.

Now, with the new patch, it’s entirely possible to play Mario Kart World for hours and never see some tracks in their classic three-lap format. That’s a huge shift for long-time fans of the series, and it’s left many wondering why Nintendo is so committed to this new style of play.

What’s next for Mario Kart World?

So far, Nintendo hasn’t explained the change, but it definitely looks like they want everyone to experience the game as a globe-trotting adventure, moving naturally from point to point on the world map. For players who love the traditional racing style, it’s a tough pill to swallow.

For now, if you want to guarantee classic races, you’ll need to organize them yourself. Otherwise, get ready for more intermission driving and fewer three-lap sprints.