Mario Kart World fans are starting to notice a big issue with one of the game’s flashier new moves—the Charge Jump. While it was introduced as a new way to gain speed (kind of like the drift boost), players are finding that it might actually be doing the opposite.
The Charge Jump lets racers keep moving forward while charging up, giving the illusion of going faster. But according to a growing number of players, and a deep-dive video from YouTuber Karting All Day, this move might be more style than substance. After running a bunch of tests, the verdict seems clear: the Charge Jump is actually slower than just accelerating normally.
Since the launch of Mario Kart World alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, players have been scrambling to master its new mechanics. With 24-player races and a semi-open world layout, there’s a lot more going on than in previous Mario Kart titles. And while these updates definitely shake up the racing scene, small details—like how effective a special move is—can make or break a strategy.
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Despite its speed issues, the Charge Jump isn’t entirely useless. It’s still a key move when it comes to pulling off wall rides or catching grind rails, both of which do help boost your speed in the long run. So even if it’s not the best move for pure acceleration, it can still give you an edge in the right scenario.
Plus, there’s always room to mix and match strategies. Classic tactics like sandbagging—where you intentionally fall behind to get better items—are still viable in Mario Kart World. Combine that with a well-placed Charge Jump to hit a grind rail or start a wall ride, and you could surprise a few opponents on your way back to the front.
Nintendo’s been actively updating Mario Kart World, so this might just be a glitch that gets patched down the line. Then again, it could be intentional, forcing players to think more critically about when and how to use their moves. Either way, if you’re looking to stay competitive, it might be smart to treat the Charge Jump with a bit of caution—for now.
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