Nintendo unveils newest Mario Kart and Donkey Kong games for the Nintendo Switch 2, but there’s a catch
Starting June 5th, Nintendo will debut various new games, including Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. However, gamers are furious about one thing – the price.
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Starting June 5th, Nintendo will debut various new games, including Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. However, gamers are furious about one thing – the price.
Nintendo has already officially introduced the Nintendo Switch 2. The new handheld will be available on June 5th for a retail price starting at $499.99
With the release of the new console comes new titles that gamers seemingly can’t wait to play. These include new versions of familiar games, such as Mario Kart and Donkey Kong.
undefinedThere's no way Nintendo can top Mario Kart 8 Deluxeundefined
undefined Choctopus 🐙 (@ChoctopusYT) April 2, 2025
Nintendo: pic.twitter.com/dRveqbhUuu
Mario Kart World
The new Nintendo Switch 2 game, Mario Kart World, is an open-world version of your typical Mario Kart games, but with a twist.
Users can play up to four people per console, explore different terrains, and even hop off a course and race to the next track.
What makes Mario Kart World different from other iterations of the game is that everything is a track, meaning that you can race between courses, making this the first open-world Mario Kart game.
Netizens have taken fondly to one of the game's new characters, a cow riding a scooter made from a boombox.
This character may have derived from one of Mario Kart’s original tracks, Moo Moo Meadows, where gamers have to traverse a track riddled with obstacles, mainly cows.
Cow from Mario Kart World. 🐮#cow #mariokartworld #nintendoswitch2 #nintendo pic.twitter.com/YlxNXowSgu
undefined Eto (@eto2d) April 2, 2025
With the Nintendo Switch 2, new games offer a “GameChat” feature that allows you to talk to other players using the built-in microphone or share your screen live.
If you’re willing to invest in the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, it will set you back another $49.99. Users who do so can video chat with others while playing.
However, to use GameChat after March 31st, 2026, users will need a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Donkey Kong Bananza
“The big guy is back” in a “groundbreaking adventure starring Donkey Kong,” says Nintendo.
In this game, users have to help Donkey Kong traverse a new underground world and punch his way through new territory, but not without thwarting a mysterious group of villains known as VoidCo.
Donkey Kong Bananza, a brand-new 3D platforming action adventure is coming exclusively to #NintendoSwitch2 on July 17! #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/79mWd3gDja
undefined Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 2, 2025
Donkey Kong must retrieve his prized bunch of bananas and must go deep into the underground world to get them back.
The 3D platformer features Donkey Kong smashing his way through three-dimensional territories.
Like in Mario Kart World, the Nintendo Switch 2 will allow users to communicate with fellow gamers while playing.
Donkey Kong Bananza will be available on July 17th, 2025, and is only available on Nintendo Switch 2.
I like the part in donkey kong bananza where it goes “banana” pic.twitter.com/XfAFhv8QEw
undefined TAHK0 ☕️ (@TAHK0) April 2, 2025
Kirby Air Riders
The cute little mascot Kirby is back in a new game called Kirby Air Riders. The original game, launched in 2003, lets four players control different-colored Kirby characters in a race.
The trailers don’t reveal much about the game, but they do show four Kirby characters racing against each other, a homage to the original.
The game will be released sometime in 2025, and the price of the game is still unknown.
Now, let’s talk about pricing…
Problems with pricing
While users are excited about the upcoming game, online discourse shows that Nintendo’s games just got pricier.
Mario Kart World will retail for roughly $79.99, which netizens are complaining is much steeper than other Nintendo titles.
This is how the Nintendo Switch 2 menu will look cus people can only afford one game https://t.co/Vuoyj3KwLT
undefined Nutty Royale (@NuttyRoyale) April 2, 2025
While Donkey Kong Bananza is $69.99, $10 cheaper, gamers are still complaining that the games are too expensive.
One commenter said that “gamers are furious at Nintendo for its pricing.
Another user compared Nintendo to Mr. Krabs from Spongebob Squarepants, the well-known owner of the Krusty Krab, who is known for being money-hungry.
Nintendo pic.twitter.com/xqhriSudsV
undefined Toonshi (@cartoonshi) April 2, 2025