Nintendo recently unveiled a treasure trove of details about *Mario Kart World* during their latest Mario Kart World Direct, a launch title set to debut alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. This comprehensive reveal has left fans buzzing with excitement, offering a deep dive into new characters, courses, races, secrets, and much more. Here's everything you need to know to keep the anticipation alive until the big day.
Courses -------Mario Kart World promises an expansive interconnected map filled with both new and reimagined classic courses. Some of the thrilling tracks revealed include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. For fans of the series, the excitement is palpable as these beloved courses have been updated to seamlessly integrate into the new world, providing fresh experiences while maintaining their iconic charm.
Characters and New Techniques
With the capacity for up to 24 racers per race, Mario Kart World boasts an extensive lineup of characters to keep the competition diverse and exciting. The Direct showcased a roster including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and many more, ensuring that players have plenty of options. The game introduces new techniques that enhance the racing experience, such as the Charge Jump, which allows racers to dodge attacks, reach higher places, grind on rails, and even ride walls temporarily. Additionally, the innovative Rewind feature lets players retry tricky sections, although it requires strategic use as rivals continue to move forward.
Mario Kart World Screenshots
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Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World offers two primary racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Grand Prix is the familiar format where players compete across multiple races to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup, but with a twist - racers now transition directly from one course to another without returning to a menu, enhancing the flow and immersion. Completing all cups may unlock the legendary Rainbow Road, now featuring new challenges like bullet bill-shooting cars and Hammer Bros. throwing hammers.
Knockout Tour, on the other hand, introduces a battle-royale-style mode where racers must reach checkpoints within a set time or face elimination, with the ultimate goal of being the last driver standing in events like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.
Mario Kart World Free Roam
For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, Mario Kart World includes a Free Roam mode where players can explore the vast map at their leisure. Discover hidden secrets like P Switches that reveal blue coins, embark on skill-enhancing missions, and find hidden treasures like Peach Medallions. The Photo Mode in Free Roam lets you capture those perfect moments, while visiting Yoshi's restaurant allows you to pick up "Dash Food" for speed boosts and themed outfits, inspired by dishes like cheeseburgers and sushi.
Playing Mario Kart World with Friends
The social aspect of Mario Kart World is robust, with multiple ways to enjoy the game with friends. Options include four-player split-screen on a single system, local wireless play for up to eight players, and online play supporting up to 24 players worldwide. Friends can also join in Free Roam, allowing you to fast travel to each other's locations for spontaneous races, battles, or just to explore together. The GameChat feature enables live voice and video communication, adding a dynamic layer to multiplayer interactions.
Modes -----Beyond the main racing modes, Mario Kart World offers additional gameplay varieties. Time Trials allow players to race against global ghost data, while VS Mode provides extensive customization, including team racing options. Battle Mode returns with favorites like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle, ensuring there's never a dull moment.
Items
While familiar items like Bullet Bill and Lightning make a comeback, Mario Kart World introduces new items such as the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course and leaves a trail of coins, the Ice Flower to freeze enemies, and the Kamek item for mysterious transformations. These additions promise to add depth and strategy to every race.
Support Features
Nintendo aims to make Mario Kart World accessible to players of all skill levels with support features like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls compatible with the Joy-Con 2 wheel, Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and customizable camera settings. These options ensure that everyone can enjoy the thrill of Mario Kart World.
For more insights, explore our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, discover how Nintendo justifies its $80 price tag, and delve into our exclusive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.
