Nintendo recently unveiled an exciting Mario Kart World Direct, shedding light on the highly anticipated launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release on June 5, 2025. This comprehensive overview covers everything you need to know about the game, from new characters and courses to innovative races and hidden secrets, helping you manage the anticipation until its launch.
Courses -------Mario Kart World boasts an expansive interconnected map featuring both new and reimagined classic courses. The Direct showcased several exciting tracks, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. For veteran players, the reimagined older courses promise fresh experiences while feeling seamlessly integrated into the game's vast new world.
Characters and New Techniques
With the capacity for up to 24 racers per race, Mario Kart World introduces a diverse roster of characters, 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 like Charge Jump, allowing racers to dodge attacks, reach higher places, grind on rails, and even ride on walls temporarily. Additionally, the Rewind feature offers players a chance to retry hidden paths or improve their turns, though it's crucial to remember that rivals continue to move normally during rewind, potentially leading to new challenges if not used wisely.
Mario Kart World Screenshots
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Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World features two main racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Grand Prix offers the familiar multi-race competition for cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup, but with a seamless transition between courses thanks to the game's open structure. Conquering all cups unlocks a challenging "colorful course," likely Rainbow Road, complete with new obstacles like cars shooting Bullet Bills and Hammer Bros. throwing hammers.
Knockout Tour introduces a battle-royale-style race across the map, where racers must reach checkpoints in time or be eliminated, culminating in thrilling finales like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.
Mario Kart World Free Roam
In Free Roam mode, players can explore the world at their leisure, discovering P Switches that activate blue coins and initiate skill-enhancing missions. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await, and a photo mode allows capturing those perfect moments. Visiting Yoshi's restaurant adds a fun twist, offering "Dash Food" that boosts speed and provides themed outfits inspired by meals such as cheeseburgers, sushi, and more.
Playing Mario Kart World with Friends
Playing with friends is a highlight of Mario Kart World, with multiple options available: four players on one system, local wireless play with up to eight players across two systems, and online play with up to 24 players worldwide. Friends can also join in Free Roam, allowing for battles, custom races, and exploration, all enhanced by a photo mode. GameChat integrates voice and video communication, enabling live reactions and enhancing the social experience, especially for those playing on a single system with up to four face-detectable cameras.
Modes -----In addition to the main racing modes, Mario Kart World includes Time Trials with online ghost data competition, customizable VS Mode with up to four teams, and the return of Battle Mode with classics like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.
Items
Alongside familiar items like Bullet Bill and Lightning, Mario Kart World introduces new items such as the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course and leaves a coin trail, the Ice Flower for freezing opponents, Hammers for attacking and blocking, the Mega Mushroom for size increases, the Feather for jumping to avoid attacks, and the Kamek item for mysterious transformations.
Support Features
To cater to players of all skill levels, Mario Kart World includes helpful 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 insights, explore our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, learn how Nintendo justifies its $80 price tag, and delve into our extensive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.
