The latest Mario Kart World Direct has given fans a deep dive into the highly anticipated entry in the beloved kart-racing series. With a fresh take on gameplay and world design, Mario Kart World promises to be one of the most expansive and immersive entries in the franchise yet. Here’s a breakdown of everything revealed during the event.
An Interconnected Mario Kart World
Nintendo unveiled a bold new direction for Mario Kart World, introducing a fully interconnected open world. Players can freely explore familiar Mario locales and brand-new regions, all seamlessly connected by roads. As Nintendo explained, "In Mario Kart World, the game’s courses are interspersed across the world with roads leading from one to the next – so players can experience navigating roads in between courses!"
This open-world approach allows players to discover scenic vistas, iconic landmarks, and hidden items as they roam. There are also missions scattered throughout the world that help players hone their driving skills beyond traditional races. The game features both reimagined classic courses and brand-new tracks like Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard.
Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World introduces two major racing formats: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Each supports up to 24 players—the largest player count in series history. Players must navigate hazards like Bullet Bill-firing cars and Hammer Bros. attacks as they race to the finish line.
In Grand Prix, players compete in four consecutive races to win cups such as the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, and Star Cup. Unlike previous entries, players must physically travel to the next race location to continue. Upon completing all Grand Prix Cups, a mysterious "colorful course" is unlocked—widely believed to be Rainbow Road.
The newly introduced Knockout Tour offers extended races that function as a survival-style challenge. Players must finish each race in a qualifying position to advance. Fail to make the cut, and you're eliminated from the rally.
New Items, Returning Favorites, and Fresh Characters
Mario Kart World brings a fresh arsenal of power-ups, alongside classic items. The Coin Shell knocks opponents off the track and leaves a trail of collectible coins, the Ice Flower freezes racers on contact, and the Big Mushroom lets players grow large and splat rivals in their path.
Familiar faces like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser are all present, but the game also welcomes new racers such as Goomba, Spike, and Cow. Each character has alternate costumes hidden in the world, adding to the sense of exploration and discovery.
Play With Friends in a Variety of Modes
Mario Kart World offers a wide array of multiplayer modes for solo players and groups alike. Time Trials allow players to race against ghost data from others in the world. VS mode lets players create custom races and teams, while Battle mode returns with modes like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.
The game supports both local and online play. Up to four players can enjoy split-screen racing on a single system, and local wireless play accommodates up to eight players (with two players per Nintendo Switch 2 device). The new GameChat feature on Switch 2 makes coordinating with friends easier than ever, allowing voice chat and screen sharing.
Accessibility and Control Options
Mario Kart World also introduces several accessibility features to ensure all players can enjoy the action. Smart Steering helps keep racers on track, Auto-accelerate removes the need to hold the gas, and Tilt controls offer an immersive motion-based driving experience. The game also supports the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel for enhanced gameplay realism.
Release Date and Platform
Mario Kart World is set to launch on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. This groundbreaking entry in the series aims to redefine the kart-racing genre by blending open-world exploration with fast-paced, competitive racing. Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches!
