Nintendo recently unveiled exciting details about Mario Kart World in their latest Mario Kart World Direct, the launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 set to release on June 5, 2025. This comprehensive guide aims to keep you up-to-date and engaged as we eagerly await the game's arrival.
Courses -------In Mario Kart World, you'll race across an expansive, interconnected map featuring a mix of new and classic courses. Highlights from the Direct include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Notably, the reimagined classic courses promise to deliver fresh experiences that seamlessly integrate into the game's new world.
Characters and New Techniques
With the capacity for up to 24 racers per race, Mario Kart World boasts an extensive roster of characters. The Direct showcased a diverse lineup including 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.
Enhancing the driving experience are new techniques such as the Charge Jump, allowing racers to evade attacks, access higher places, grind on rails, and even ride walls temporarily. Another innovative feature is Rewind, enabling players to retry tricky sections, though careful use is advised as opponents continue moving forward.
Mario Kart World Screenshots
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Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Two primary race modes are featured in Mario Kart World: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. In Grand Prix, players race through multiple courses to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup, with seamless transitions between races thanks to the game's open structure. Completing all Grand Prix Cups might unlock a challenging "colorful course," hinting at the iconic Rainbow Road with new obstacles like Bullet Bill-shooting cars and Hammer Bros.
Knockout Tour introduces a battle royale-style race where drivers must reach checkpoints in time to avoid elimination. The last racer standing wins in events like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.
Mario Kart World Free Roam
In Free Roam mode, players can explore Mario Kart World without the pressure of racing. Discover P Switches and collect blue coins to initiate missions that enhance your skills. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await discovery, and the Photo Mode lets you capture your adventures. Visiting Yoshi's restaurant offers "Dash Food" for speed boosts and themed outfits inspired by dishes like cheeseburgers, sushi, and ice cream.
Playing Mario Kart World with Friends
Playing Mario Kart World with friends promises to be a highlight, with options for four players on a single system, local wireless play for up to eight players (using two systems of four), and online play for up to 24 global competitors. Between races, friends can free roam together, using a map to locate and join each other for custom races, battles, or exploration. The Photo Mode and GameChat, which includes live video reactions for those with compatible cameras, enrich the social experience.
Modes -----Beyond the main race modes, Mario Kart World offers Time Trials with online ghost data for global competition, and VS Mode with extensive customization options, including team racing. Battle Mode returns with classics like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.
Items
Familiar items such as Bullet Bill and Lightning return, joined by new additions like the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course and leaves a trail of collectable coins. Other new items include the Ice Flower for freezing enemies, Hammers for attacking and blocking, the Mega Mushroom for size transformation, the Feather for jumping, and the Kamek item for mysterious transformations.
Support Features
Mario Kart World aims to cater to players of all skill levels with 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 further insights, don't miss our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, an analysis of its $80 price tag, and our exclusive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen discussing the Nintendo Switch 2.
