Nintendo recently unveiled a wealth of exciting details about the upcoming launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, *Mario Kart World*, through their Mario Kart World Direct. This eagerly awaited game is set to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. Our comprehensive roundup aims to keep you updated and help you pass the time until its release.

Mario Kart World promises an expansive selection of courses, featuring both new and beloved classics integrated into an interconnected map. The Direct showcased several exciting tracks, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard.

For fans of the franchise, the reimagined older courses are particularly thrilling, as they've been redesigned to seamlessly fit into this expansive new world, offering fresh experiences on familiar tracks.

Characters and New Techniques

With the capacity for up to 24 racers in a single race, Mario Kart World introduces a diverse roster of characters to ensure a varied and exciting gameplay experience. The Direct revealed characters such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Baby Rosalina, Rosalina, Koopa, Rocky Wrench, Conkdor, Goomba, Spike, Cow, King Boo, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Birdo, Bowser Jr., Lakitu, Toad, Wario, Pauline, Toadette, Shy Guy, Nabbit, Piranha Plant, Hammer Bro, Monty Mole, Dry Bones, Wiggler, Cataquack, Pianta, Sidestepper, and Cheep Cheep.

New driving techniques will enhance the gameplay, such as the Charge Jump, which allows racers to dodge attacks, access higher areas, grind on rails, and even ride walls for a short time. Additionally, the Rewind feature offers players the chance to retry tricky sections or perfect their turns, though it's worth noting that rivals continue moving during rewind, potentially complicating your strategy.

Mario Kart World Screenshots

View 120 ImagesRaces - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World offers two primary racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. The Grand Prix mode, familiar to fans, requires players to race through multiple courses to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup. This time, players transition seamlessly between courses without returning to a menu, enhancing the immersive experience.

Conquering all Grand Prix Cups unlocks a mysterious "colorful course" likely to be Rainbow Road, featuring new challenges like bullet bill-shooting cars and Hammer Bros. throwing hammers.

Knockout Tour introduces a battle-royale-style race across the map, where players must reach checkpoints in time or be eliminated. The last racer standing wins in events like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

Free Roam mode in Mario Kart World allows players to explore the vast world at their leisure, without the pressure of racing. Discover P Switches that activate blue coins and initiate missions designed to enhance your skills. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await discovery, and a photo mode lets you capture your adventures.

A visit to Yoshi's restaurant offers "Dash Food" that boosts your speed and provides themed outfits, such as cheeseburgers, sushi, and ice cream, adding a fun twist to your exploration.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Mario Kart World offers multiple ways to enjoy the game with friends, including four-player local play on one system, local wireless play with up to eight players, and online play with up to 24 players worldwide.

Between races, players can freely roam with friends, seeing their locations on the map and fast-traveling to join them for custom races, battles, or just to explore together. The photo mode is also available during these sessions, and GameChat enables voice and video communication, with the camera capable of detecting up to four faces when playing on a single system.

In addition to the main modes, Mario Kart World includes Time Trials with online ghost data for competitive racing and customizable VS Mode, where players can form up to four teams. Battle Mode returns with classic competitions like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.

Items

Alongside returning favorites like Bullet Bill and Lightning, Mario Kart World introduces new items such as the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course while leaving a trail of coins, the Ice Flower to freeze enemies, Hammers for attacking and blocking, the Mega Mushroom for size increases, the Feather for jumping over obstacles, and the Kamek item for mysterious transformations.

Support Features

To cater to players of all skill levels, Mario Kart World includes support features like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (compatible with Joy-Con 2 wheel), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and adjustable camera settings for both vertical and horizontal views.

For more insights, don't miss our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, our analysis of the game's $80 price tag, and our exclusive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.