Release Date: June 5, 2025
Platform: Switch 2
Publisher: Nintendo
Developers: Nintendo
Nintendo’s latest Direct gave us an extended, nearly 17-minute look at Mario Kart World, introducing the series’ most ambitious entry yet.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Fully Connected World: Courses are now part of one seamless map. Drive across deserts, cities, oceans, and more—no menus between tracks, just roads that lead you from one course to the next.
- Grand Prix: Classic four-race cups return, but now you drive between tracks. Mushroom Cup starts at Mario Bros. Circuit and continues through open-world transitions to other courses.
- Knockout Tour: A gauntlet-style mode with checkpoints, hazards, and eliminations. Fall behind and you’re out—think of it as Mario Kart’s take on a battle royale sprint.
- Free Roam: Explore off-road areas, discover secrets, take missions via P Switches, snap in-game photos, and cruise solo or with friends.
- Battle Mode: Coin Runners and Balloon Battle return. Eliminate opponents by popping all their balloons to win.
- New Moves: Charge Jump lets you hop obstacles, grind rails, and ride walls. A Rewind option resets your position during solo or Free Roam—but time doesn’t stop for rivals.
- 24-Player Races: The most racers in Mario Kart history. Grand Prix and Knockout Tour support up to 24 players online.
- Multiplayer Options: Split screen for up to four players, local wireless for eight, full online play, and Free Roam meetups. You can warp to friends in the open world at any time.
- GameChat: Built-in voice chat through Switch 2’s mic—no Nintendo Online membership required until March 2026. You can also spectate friends’ screens.
- CameraPlay: With the Switch 2 Camera (sold separately), your face appears next to your racer. One camera supports up to four players locally.
- New and Remixed Courses: From Starview Peak to Boo Cinema, new tracks mix with reimagined classics, all integrated into the open world.
- Playable Characters: Drive as Mario mainstays like Peach and Bowser—or go wild with picks like Goomba, Spike, and Cow.
- New Items: Highlights include the Coin Shell (drops coins on hit), Ice Flower, Hammer, Mega Mushroom, Feather, and Kamek’s chaos-inducing magic.
- Drive-Thru Bonus: Grab Dash Food from spots like Yoshi’s for temporary boosts or unlockable outfits.
- Extra Modes: Time Trials (with ghost data), customizable VS Races, and team racing options offer more ways to play.
- Accessibility Options: Smart Steering, Auto-Accelerate, motion controls, and Joy-Con 2 Wheel support.
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