Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct has provided a comprehensive look at the much-anticipated launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release on June 5, 2025. This event unveiled a wealth of new information on characters, courses, races, secrets, and more, offering fans a detailed preview of what to expect from this exciting new addition to the Mario Kart series.
This roundup compiles all the key details from the Mario Kart World Direct to help you stay informed and excited as we count down to the launch. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, there's plenty to look forward to in Mario Kart World.
Courses
Mario Kart World will feature an extensive array of both new and classic courses integrated into an interconnected map. Some of the highlighted courses include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Excitingly, the returning courses have been reimagined to seamlessly fit into this expansive new world, providing fresh and thrilling experiences on familiar tracks.
Characters and New Techniques
With the capability to accommodate up to 24 racers per race, Mario Kart World introduces a diverse roster of characters. The Direct showcased a range of familiar faces including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and many others such as 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 racing experience, new techniques like the Charge Jump allow racers to dodge attacks, reach higher platforms, grind on rails, and even ride on walls briefly. Another innovative feature, Rewind, enables players to retry challenging sections or take alternative routes, though players should be cautious as opponents continue to move normally during rewinds.
Mario Kart World Screenshots
View 120 Images
Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World offers two main racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Grand Prix is the traditional mode where players race through multiple courses to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup. This time, races seamlessly transition from one course to another within the open world structure, enhancing the flow of gameplay. Conquering all Grand Prix cups might unlock the iconic Rainbow Road, now featuring new challenges like bullet bill-shooting cars and Hammer Bros.
Knockout Tour introduces a battle-royale-style mode where racers must navigate from one end of the map to the other, meeting checkpoints to avoid elimination. The last driver standing wins in modes like Golden Rally and Ice Rally.
Mario Kart World Free Roam
In Free Roam mode, players can explore the world at their leisure without the pressure of racing. Discover hidden elements like P Switches, which activate blue coins and initiate missions to enhance your skills. Hidden treasures such as Peach Medallions and secret panels await, along with a Photo Mode to capture memorable moments.
A delightful addition is Yoshi's restaurant, where players can pick up "Dash Food" for speed boosts and themed outfits inspired by dishes like cheeseburgers, sushi, skewers, chips, roasted meat, pizza, and ice cream.
Playing Mario Kart World with Friends
Mario Kart World offers multiple ways to enjoy the game with friends, including four-player local play on a single system, local wireless play with up to eight players across two systems, and global online play with up to 24 players. Between races, friends can explore the world together, engage in custom battles or races, and utilize Photo Mode to capture shared moments.
GameChat enhances the social experience, allowing voice communication and live video reactions for players with compatible cameras. When playing on a single system, the camera can detect up to four faces, adding to the interactive fun.
Modes
In addition to the main racing modes, Mario Kart World includes Time Trials with the option to race against global ghost data online. VS Mode offers extensive customization, allowing races with up to four teams. Battle Mode returns with classics like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle, providing varied and engaging multiplayer 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. Other new additions include the Ice Flower to freeze opponents, Hammers to attack and block, the Mega Mushroom for size increase, the Feather for jumping, and the Kamek item, which transforms players into something unexpected.
Support Features
To cater to players of all skill levels, Mario Kart World includes supportive features like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (compatible with Joy-Con 2 wheel), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and adjustable Vertical and Horizontal Camera settings, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone.
For more in-depth insights, check out our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, our analysis of its $80 price tag, and our exclusive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the launch date!
