Mario Kart World enthusiasts have figured out how to cruise through the game's open world in Mirror Mode—and the method to activate it cleverly pays homage to a beloved Nintendo classic.
Recall zooming through paintings in Princess Peach's Castle in Super Mario 64? Something similar lets you enter Mario Kart World's Mirror Mode while exploring freely—just drive over and climb onto the same castle’s rooftop.
A heads-up: you'll need to have the main Mirror Mode unlocked first before this hidden trick works. IGN verified that attempting this without unlocking Mirror Mode leads nowhere.
So if you haven’t done it yet, earn Mirror Mode for Grand Prix and Knockout Tour by clearing all cups on 150cc and completing a series of P-Switches, Peach Medallions, and Question Panels in Free Roam.
Once Mirror Mode is available, you can hunt down the secret to experience Free Roam in mirrored form, too.
Load the central Princess Stadium course in Free Roam (remember, you can warp there quickly from the world map by pressing Y), then veer off the spiraling road with the castle to your right. Try landing on the wide red rooftop beneath you, then head toward the main tower of the castle. You'll see a large stained glass window showing Peach—now you know what’s next.
Driving through the window produces a ripple effect reminiscent of Super Mario 64’s magic paintings, transporting you into a mirrored version of Mario Kart World’s open map. Even your world map flips—voilà!
See it all in action with the clip below:
Mirror Mode has a sweet Easter egg, haha pic.twitter.com/7q5GIqZ91l
— Ninjinaut (@Ninjinaut) June 7, 2025
Earlier this week, Mario Kart World players noticed that Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto was absent from the game's credits, though his missing name may not be entirely unexpected. In other news, a farmer in Japan praised the game's depiction of its popular Cow character—especially its mud-splattered rear.
Visit our Mario Kart World guide to discover how to unlock every secret character and how Kamek Unlocks function—important for unlocking NPC Drivers. We also offer a guide to every Mario Kart World food hidden in the open world and where to find them, helping you permanently collect all outfits and costumes.
