Mario Kart World has received a significant new update, version 1.2.0, now available for download. This patch introduces several minor but appreciated adjustments, along with a major change players have been requesting: Nintendo has increased the likelihood of traditional lap-based courses appearing in `VS Race` and wireless race selections. This addresses a common complaint, as many players prefer standard three-lap races over the game`s shorter, intermission-style events.
A previous update had unintentionally reduced the frequency of three-lap races, so this new adjustment is expected to be well-received, assuming it significantly increases their appearance rate. Other noteworthy improvements include visual feedback in `Free Roam` mode: collecting all P Switches, ? Panels, and Peach Medallions will now cause the corresponding numbers to change colors. Furthermore, AI opponents have been made weaker in all modes except `Battle`, and players who frequently rely on Triple Dash Mushrooms when in a low position may find their strategy impacted, as the drop rate for this item has been reduced.
The update also brings several quality-of-life enhancements. Players can now select which participant to spectate during `Knockout Tour`, `Balloon Battle`, `Online Play`, `Wireless Play`, and `LAN Play`. Additionally, a waiting time indicator until the next race or battle has been added for `Online`, `Wireless`, and `LAN` modes. In `VS Race` and `Single Player`, it`s now possible to disable all computer-controlled opponents.
This extensive update includes numerous other fixes and modifications. For a complete list, refer to the detailed patch notes below:
Patch 1.2 Notes
General
- For `VS Race` in `Single Player` mode, a `No COM` option has been added to the COM rules.
- The `Item Rules` in `VS Race` (Single Player and Multiplayer) now include a `Mushrooms only` option.
- After downloading ghost data in `Time Trials`, players can now select `View Replay`.
- Spectators in `Knockout Tour` and `Balloon Battle` (Online, Wireless, and LAN Play) can now choose which player to observe.
- A waiting time display for the next race or battle has been implemented in Online, Wireless, and LAN Play modes.
- In `Multiplayer` and `Online Play`, CameraPlay now saves the camera cursor position and size until the game is closed (resets if player count changes).
- In `Free Roam`, collecting all P Switches, ? Panels, and Peach Medallions will now change the colors of their respective numbers.
- CPU opponents have been weakened in all modes except `Battle`.
- Boomerang`s homing ability has been reduced.
- The probability of obtaining a Triple Dash Mushroom when in a low position has been decreased, except when `Frantic` item rules are active.
- The likelihood of receiving a ? Block has been increased, unless `Frantic` item rules are selected.
- A wheel spinning animation now appears if the acceleration button (A) is pressed too early at the start of a race; this does not affect speed.
- The frequency of lap-based courses in `VS Race` and wireless race selections has been increased.
Fixed Issues
- Fixed an issue where rate fluctuations were sometimes displayed incorrectly in wireless races.
- Fixed an issue where the vehicle would stay floating in air when jumping off a half pipe.
- Fixed an issue where, when a player crashes while gliding and uses Bullet Bill, they go out of the course.
- Fixed an issue where, if a player quits a Rewind in the location where they were wall riding, the driver’s posture would not return to what it was before.
- Fixed an issue where the item that was displayed in the item slot would turn into something else when using it.
- Fixed an issue where in `Online Play`, the player would not dash even when getting on a Dash Panel.
- Fixed an issue where the points in a team race in `Wireless Play` would display incorrectly.
- Fixed an issue where sometimes controls were inoperable on the menu screen after the player was retired in `Balloon Battle` in `Wireless Play`.
- Fixed an issue where a Peach Medallion would sometimes disappear when doing Rewind in `Free Roam`.
- Fixed an issue where sometimes controls were inoperable when the player pointed the cursor at their own character or course and pressed A on the `Free Roam` map.
- Fixed an issue where sometimes controls were inoperable when the player quit a mission in `Free Roam` right before entering a pipe.
- Fixed an issue where the player would slip through some drift ice around `Sky-High Sundae`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would get caught on the outside of a handrail on the left and right sides right after the start of `Airship Fortress`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would get caught on the fence and not be able to move forward in `Bowser`s Castle`.
- Fixed an issue where, when the player used a Bullet Bill in `Bowser`s Castle`, they would not be able to glide and fell into the abyss.
- Fixed an issue where the player would go out of the course when using a Mega Mushroom on the last turn of `Whistlestop Summit`.
- Fixed an issue where the player could not get out of the location where they fell from a railroad when `Smart Steering` is on in `Whistlestop Summit`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would slip through the ground at a ramp near the goal at `Choco Mountain`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would get caught on a block when using a Bullet Bill on the road that enters `Choco Mountain`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would get caught on a plank of wood laid on the road when throwing a green shell on the road between `DK Spaceport` and `Whistlestop Summit`.
- Fixed an issue where the last place would be sometimes incorrect in the wireless races of `Dino Dino Jungle`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would get caught on the back of a leaf when using a Bullet Bill in `Acorn Heights`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would not be able to slip through a vase that is placed on the road in `Shy Guy Bazaar`, when using a Boo.
- Fixed an issue where the player would slip through the ceiling in `Dry Bones Burnout`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would sometimes hit a fence when throwing a red shell on the first turn in `Moo Moo Meadows`.
- Fixed an issue where one part of the effects that take place for the bridge transforming when heading toward `Rainbow Road` did not display.
- Fixed an issue where the player would slip through the ground on the road between `Starview Peak` and `Sky-High Sundae`.
- Fixed an issue where some of the item boxes would not have appeared in `Wario Shipyard`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would slip through the bottom of a rock near the goal of `Wario Shipyard`.
- Fixed an issue where the player would go out of the course when using a Mega Mushroom on a turn inside `Wario Stadium`.
- Fixed an issue where the player gets caught on a tree in the middle of a shortcut if they have `Smart Steering` on when heading from `Starview Peak` to `Dandelion Depths` in `Ice Rally` of `Knockout Tour`.
- Several other minor issues have also been resolved to enhance the overall gameplay experience.