Nintendo recently unveiled a treasure trove of information about the highly anticipated launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World, through a dedicated Direct. This comprehensive reveal has provided fans with exciting new details on characters, courses, races, secrets, and much more, keeping the anticipation high until the game's launch on June 5, 2025, alongside the new console.
This article compiles all the essential information from the Mario Kart World Direct, designed to tide you over until the big day.
Courses -------Mario Kart World promises an expansive and interconnected map filled with both new and reimagined 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. Fans of the series will be thrilled to know that these classic courses have been revamped to seamlessly integrate into the new world, offering fresh experiences while maintaining their nostalgic charm.
Characters and New Techniques
With the capacity to host up to 24 racers simultaneously, Mario Kart World boasts an extensive roster of characters. The Direct showcased familiar faces such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and a host of others including 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.
Players can enhance their racing experience with new techniques like Charge Jump, which enables dodging enemy attacks, reaching higher places, grinding on rails, and even wall-riding for a short time. Another innovative feature, Rewind, allows players to retry a section to explore hidden paths or improve their turns, though careful use is advised as opponents continue to move forward during rewinds.
Mario Kart World Screenshots
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Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World introduces two primary racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. The familiar Grand Prix mode challenges players to race through multiple courses to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup. The innovative open-world structure allows seamless transitions between courses without returning to a menu, enhancing the overall experience. Conquering all the Grand Prix Cups unlocks a challenging "colorful course," hinted to be Rainbow Road, complete with new obstacles like bullet bill-shooting cars and hammer-throwing Hammer Bros.
Knockout Tour offers a battle-royale-style race across the map, where players must reach checkpoints in time or face elimination. The last driver standing wins in events like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.
Mario Kart World Free Roam
The Free Roam mode in Mario Kart World allows players to explore the map at their leisure, free from the pressure of racing. Discover P Switches to activate blue coins and unlock missions that enhance your skills. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await, and a photo mode lets you capture your adventures. Visiting Yoshi's restaurant offers "Dash Food" that boosts speed and provides themed outfits, from cheeseburgers to ice cream.
Playing Mario Kart World with Friends
Mario Kart World is designed to be enjoyed with friends, offering multiple play options. Up to four players can race on a single system, eight can join via local wireless play, and up to 24 can compete online. Friends can also explore the map together in Free Roam mode, with the ability to fast travel to each other's locations for spontaneous races or battles. The Photo Mode is available for group shots, and GameChat enhances the experience with live video reactions, supporting up to four faces on a single system.
Modes -----In addition to the main racing modes, Mario Kart World includes Time Trials with online ghost data for global competition, and VS Mode with extensive customization options, allowing up to four teams to compete. Battle Mode returns with classics like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle, ensuring a variety of competitive experiences.
Items
While familiar items like Bullet Bill and Lightning return, 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 opponents, Hammers for attacking and blocking, the Mega Mushroom for size advantage, the Feather for jumping, and the Kamek item for mysterious transformations.
Support Features
To cater to players of all skill levels, Mario Kart World includes support features like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (compatible with Joy-Con 2 wheel), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and adjustable camera settings for both vertical and horizontal views.
For more insights, check out our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, how Nintendo justifies its $80 price tag, and our exclusive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.
