Mario Kart World Direct: Switch 2 Launch Title Announcements

Nintendo recently unveiled exciting new details about Mario Kart World, the eagerly anticipated launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release on June 5, 2025. This Mario Kart World Direct provided a deep dive into characters, courses, races, and more, and we've gathered everything you need to know to keep the excitement alive until the game's launch.

Mario Kart World introduces an expansive, interconnected map featuring 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. Excitingly, older courses have been revamped to blend seamlessly into this new world, offering fresh experiences on beloved tracks.

Characters and New Techniques

With the capability to host up to 24 racers, Mario Kart World boasts a diverse roster of characters. The Direct showcased a variety of racers including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and many more, 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.

New driving techniques promise to enhance gameplay, with the Charge Jump allowing racers to dodge attacks, reach higher places, grind on rails, and even ride on walls temporarily. Another standout feature is the Rewind ability, which lets players retry a section to take a better turn or explore hidden paths. However, players should use this feature cautiously, as rivals continue to move forward during a rewind.

Mario Kart World Screenshots

View 120 ImagesRaces - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Two main racing modes are featured in Mario Kart World: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. In Grand Prix, players compete in multiple races to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup. The seamless transition between courses, thanks to the game's open structure, enhances the experience. Completing all cups might unlock a challenging "colorful course" reminiscent of Rainbow Road, complete with new obstacles like cars shooting Bullet Bills and Hammer Bros. throwing hammers.

Knockout Tour offers a battle-royale-style race across the map, where racers 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 allows players to explore the game's world at their leisure, discovering P Switches and collecting blue coins to start missions that hone their skills. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await discovery, and a photo mode lets players capture their favorite moments.

Visiting Yoshi's restaurant adds another layer of fun, where players can grab "Dash Food" to boost speed and unlock themed outfits inspired by dishes like cheeseburgers, sushi, and pizza.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Playing with friends is a highlight of Mario Kart World, with options for up to four players on one system, local wireless play for up to eight players, and online play for up to 24 racers. Friends can also explore the map together in Free Roam mode, engage in custom races or battles, and use Photo Mode to capture shared moments.

GameChat enhances the social aspect, allowing voice communication and live video reactions with compatible cameras, detecting up to four faces on a single system.

Beyond the main racing modes, Mario Kart World includes Time Trials with an online option to race against global ghost data, and a highly customizable VS Mode where up to four teams can compete. Battle Mode returns with favorites like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.

Items

While classic items like Bullet Bill and Lightning return, new additions such as the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course and leaves a trail of coins, add fresh gameplay dynamics. Other new items include the Ice Flower to freeze opponents, Hammers to attack and block paths, the Mega Mushroom for size advantage, the Feather for jumping, and the Kamek item for mysterious transformations.

Support Features

Mario Kart World aims to be accessible to players of all skill levels with support features like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (compatible with Joy-Con 2 wheel), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and adjustable camera settings.

For more insights, don't miss our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, an analysis of its $80 price tag, and our exclusive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.