Mario Kart World has received a free update that modifies its popular Knockout Tour mode, allowing team competition for the first time.This new feature, included since version 1.5.0 of the game, introduces new strategies and group dynamics in the development of races, significantly changing the traditional experience.
Prior to this update, Knockout Tour was an individual competition where players attempted to survive multiple eliminations at each checkpoint, until only one winner remained.Now, it is possible to form teams of two, three or four groups, competing in races with up to 24 participants, either with friends or, if there are no players, adding runners controlled by the machine (CPU).
Team options allow for different configurations: 12 vs. 12, 8 vs. 8 vs. 8, and 6 vs. 6 vs. 6 vs. 6. This guarantees constant action, both in local and online races.The importance of each member of the team is now crucial, since the result does not depend solely on a single winner, but on the total points added by all the members.
The central factor in this change is the renewed scoring system.The first place receives 50 points, the second 40, the third 35, and the following places go down progressively.The four players eliminated at the first checkpoint add only one point for their respective teams.This formula modifies the strategy of the competition: a team cannot rely solely on one of its members to obtain first position, but requires that all its members achieve decent placements to maximize the overall score.Even if an outstanding player arrives first, his team can lose if the other teammates are in last positions.
In addition to the introduction of team racing, version 1.5.0 fixes various technical issues reported by the community.Among these, a bug was corrected that could prematurely end the game when playing as Kamek in the Choco Mountain circuit, and another that attributed incorrect scores in the “Everyone” segment of the online mode when entering a room.Several general fixes have also been implemented to strengthen the overall stability of the game.
The first opinions of the players highlight the increase in strategic depth generated by the team modality.Now, group planning and defensive or support roles become relevant, generating scenarios in which each race presents new challenges and opportunities.
Early analysis of the update also shows mixed opinions about the length of appeal of the Knockout Tour mode.While some consider that the new modality introduces a fresh air and motivates the return of sporadic players, others point out that in groups with large differences in level, the team system may not always be satisfactory.However, the adjustment of scores favors the possibility of comebacks and surprises if the teams act in a coordinated manner.
