The recently concluded Mario Kart World Direct unveiled a wealth of exciting details about the much-anticipated addition to the Mario Kart series. Dive into the specifics of the game's innovative free-roam world and discover its rich array of features.
Mario Kart World Direct Reveals
An Interconnected World
Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct on April 17 provided an in-depth look at the game's expansive features. Players can freely explore Mario Kart World, navigating through both iconic and brand-new regions of the Mario universe.
According to Nintendo, "In Mario Kart World, the game’s courses are seamlessly connected across the world with roads leading from one to the next – allowing players to experience driving through varied landscapes between races!"
Explore the world of Mario in an unprecedented way, with stunning vistas and familiar landmarks scattered throughout. As you roam, uncover hidden items and engage in missions designed to hone your driving skills beyond the traditional races.
The game boasts both new and reimagined classic courses, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. These courses are thoughtfully integrated into the expansive world of Mario Kart.
Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World introduces two main racing formats: the Grand Prix and the Knockout Tour, both accommodating up to 24 racers, setting a new record for the series. Competitors must navigate a variety of challenges, including Bullet Bill-launching vehicles and Hammer Bros. attacks.
In the Grand Prix, participants compete in four consecutive races to claim victory in the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and others. Unlike previous entries, racers must physically travel to the next race venue to continue their Grand Prix journey. Completing all Grand Prix Cups unlocks a highly anticipated "colorful course," rumored to be the iconic Rainbow Road.
The newly introduced Knockout Tour takes players on an epic journey across the world. This survival-style race requires racers to finish in a qualifying position to advance to the subsequent race, with elimination looming over those who fall behind.
Items, Characters, and More
Mario Kart World brings a fresh arsenal of items to the races, alongside beloved classics. New items include the Coin Shell, which can displace opponents and scatter collectable coins, the Ice Flower that freezes adversaries upon contact, and the Big Mushroom, which temporarily enlarges the player, allowing them to crush competitors.
The roster features timeless Mushroom Kingdom icons like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, joined by newcomers such as Goomba, Spike, and even a Cow. Players can unlock and enjoy various alternate costumes for these characters, hidden throughout the expansive world.
Playing With Friends
The game offers diverse multiplayer options to enjoy with friends. Time Trials let players compete against global ghost data, while VS mode provides extensive customization for team-based races. Battle mode returns with Coin Runners, where collecting the most coins secures victory, and Balloon Battle, where the last player with an intact balloon wins.
Mario Kart World supports both local and online multiplayer. Up to four players can race in split-screen mode on a single system, while local wireless play allows up to eight players (two per Switch 2 device) to compete. The Switch 2’s new GameChat feature enhances social interaction, allowing racers to communicate and view each other's screens during play.
Additional options include Smart Steering to keep players on track, Auto-accelerate for effortless driving, Tilt controls for a more immersive experience, and compatibility with the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel for an authentic racing feel.
Mario Kart World promises to revolutionize the kart-racing genre with its open-world approach, inviting players to explore the vast and vibrant world of Mario and his friends. The game is slated for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our related articles below!
