Nintendo recently unveiled a wealth of exciting details about *Mario Kart World*, the highly anticipated launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch on June 5, 2025. In their Mario Kart World Direct, they shared insights into new characters, courses, races, and innovative features that promise to redefine the racing experience. This comprehensive summary will keep you up-to-date while you eagerly await the game's release.
Courses -------Mario Kart World boasts an expansive interconnected map featuring a mix of new and reimagined classic courses. Some of the highlighted tracks include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Notably, older courses have been revitalized to seamlessly integrate into the game's vast new world, offering players 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. The Direct showcased familiar faces like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and many more, including 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.
Enhancing the gameplay are new techniques like the Charge Jump, which allows racers to dodge attacks, reach higher places, grind on rails, and even ride walls temporarily. Another standout feature is Rewind, enabling players to retry tricky sections or navigate hidden paths, although competitors continue to race normally during rewinds, adding a strategic layer to its use.
Mario Kart World Screenshots
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Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World introduces two main race modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. In Grand Prix, players compete across multiple races to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup, with seamless transitions between courses for a more immersive experience. Conquering all cups unlocks a challenging "colorful course" likely reminiscent of Rainbow Road, featuring new obstacles such as bullet bill-shooting cars and Hammer Bros. throwing hammers.
Knockout Tour adopts a battle-royale style where racers must reach checkpoints on time or be eliminated. The last racer standing wins in events like Golden Rally and Ice Rally.
Mario Kart World Free Roam
The Free Roam mode lets players explore Mario Kart World at their leisure, discovering P Switches and collecting blue coins to activate missions that enhance skills outside of races. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and hidden panels await discovery, and a photo mode allows capturing memorable moments. Visiting Yoshi's restaurant offers "Dash Food" for speed boosts and themed outfits inspired by dishes such as cheeseburgers, sushi, and pizza.
Playing Mario Kart World with Friends
Mario Kart World enhances multiplayer with options for up to four players on one system, local wireless play for up to eight players, and online play for up to 24 players globally. Friends can explore together in Free Roam, engage in custom battles or races, and utilize photo mode. GameChat integrates voice and video for real-time interaction, with the ability to detect up to four faces on a single system.
Modes -----Beyond the main races, Mario Kart World offers Time Trials with the option to race against global ghost data online. VS Mode provides extensive customization, allowing competition between up to four teams. Battle Mode returns with classics like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.
Items
Alongside returning items such as Bullet Bill and Lightning, Mario Kart World introduces new items. The Coin Shell knocks rivals off course and leaves a coin trail, the Ice Flower freezes enemies, Hammers attack and block paths, the Mega Mushroom enlarges players, the Feather enables jumps to avoid attacks, and the Kamek item transforms players into something mysterious.
Support Features
To cater to 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 Vertical and Horizontal Camera settings.
For more information, explore our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, insights on its $80 price justification, and our in-depth interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.
