Mario Kart World: Why It Misses Game of the Year Nomination

In a recent analysis, it has been established that 'Mario Kart World,' the flagship title for Nintendo’s Switch 2, is unlikely to be nominated for Game of the Year (GOTY) at The Game Awards 2025. Despite its critical acclaim, the racing genre faces inherent biases that diminish its chances for top honors. The game, which has received a Metacritic score of 87, is considered a follow-up to the highly successful 'Mario Kart 8,' yet it remains overshadowed by a long-standing trend at The Game Awards that favors action-adventure and role-playing games, particularly those with strong narrative components.

The Game Awards has historically excluded racing games from the GOTY category, a pattern that can be traced back to its inception. For instance, 'Mario Kart 8,' which was released in 2014, received positive reviews with an 88 Metacritic score, yet it did not receive a nomination for the coveted award. Similarly, 'Forza Horizon 5,' acclaimed for its gameplay and innovation, was also overlooked in 2021 despite being the best-reviewed game of that year.

According to Dr. Sarah Johnson, a Professor of Video Game Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, 'The GOTY jury tends to favor genres that offer narrative depth and complex character development, which are often not features of racing games.' This sentiment is echoed by industry insiders, with many pointing out that the prevailing perspective within the critical community does not view racing games as capable of achieving the same artistic merit as their action-adventure counterparts.

Mario Kart World’s critical reception, while solid, has not reached the heights of its predecessor or other 2025 releases. The game’s score of 87 reflects a mixture of admiration and criticism, particularly regarding its open-world implementation, an ambitious feature for a franchise known for its traditional racing circuits. Critics argue that while the game is enjoyable, it lacks the innovation that would elevate it to GOTY contender status.

The competitive landscape for Game of the Year in 2025 is rife with strong candidates, particularly as franchises like 'The Legend of Zelda' and 'Metroid' continue to push boundaries. As noted by gaming analyst Mark Thompson, 'Nintendo's reputation for excellence in game design means that titles like 'Donkey Kong Bananza' or 'Metroid Prime 4: Beyond' could easily overshadow 'Mario Kart World' if they meet expectations.'

While the sales success of 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' demonstrated the broad appeal of racing games, the disconnect between commercial success and critical recognition remains pronounced. With over 68 million copies sold, it is clear that racing games can engage a vast audience, yet the Game Awards jury's composition raises questions about genre biases and the perception of gaming artistry. As the gaming community anticipates The Game Awards, discussions regarding genre inclusivity will likely intensify, challenging the status quo of what constitutes a great game.

In conclusion, despite its potential and backing from one of the industry's leading developers, 'Mario Kart World' faces an uphill battle for recognition in the prestigious GOTY category. The implications of this exclusion suggest a need for a reevaluation of the criteria used to judge excellence in video games, particularly in a medium that continues to evolve and diversify.