The recently concluded Mario Kart World Direct unveiled a wealth of exciting information about the much-anticipated kart-racing game from the Mario Kart series. Dive in to discover more about the game’s expansive free-roam world and its numerous features.
Mario Kart World Direct Reveals
An Interconnected World
On April 17, Nintendo hosted the Mario Kart World Direct, providing a deep dive into the game's features. Players can freely explore Mario Kart World, navigating through both familiar and new regions of the Mario universe.
Nintendo explains, "In Mario Kart World, the game’s courses are seamlessly connected with roads leading from one to the next, offering players a unique experience of driving through the world between races!"
Experience the world of Mario in an entirely new way, with breathtaking landscapes and iconic landmarks spread throughout. As you roam, you'll uncover hidden items and missions designed to enhance your driving skills beyond traditional races.
The game introduces both new and reimagined classic courses, such as Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. These classic courses have been creatively reimagined to blend seamlessly into the expansive Mario Kart World experience.
Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World offers two main racing formats: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, each supporting up to 24 racers—the largest number in the series’ history. Be prepared for various obstacles, including cars launching Bullet Bills and attacks from Hammer Bros.
In the Grand Prix, players will compete in four consecutive races to vie for the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and more. Unlike previous games, players must physically travel to the next race to continue their Grand Prix journey. Upon completing all the Grand Prix Cups, a mysterious "colorful course" rumored to be Rainbow Road will unlock.
The newly introduced Knockout Tour takes players on a thrilling journey across the world. These extended races operate as a survival mode, where racers must secure a high enough position to advance to the next race, or face elimination from the rally.
Items, Characters, and More
Mario Kart World introduces an array of new and returning items for players to utilize during races. These include the Coin Shell, which can knock opponents aside while leaving a trail of coins, the Ice Flower, which freezes anyone it touches, and the Big Mushroom, which enlarges players, allowing them to crush other racers.
The game features a vibrant roster of classic Mushroom Kingdom characters, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, alongside newcomers like Goomba, Spike, and even Cow. Players can discover hidden alternate costumes for these characters as they explore the world.
Playing With Friends
Mario Kart World offers diverse game modes for players to enjoy with friends. Time Trials let players compete against ghost data from others worldwide. VS mode provides extensive customization options, enabling players to form and battle against teams. Battle mode returns with Coin Runners, where the goal is to collect the most coins, and Balloon Battle, where the last racer with a balloon wins.
The game supports both local and online multiplayer. Up to four players can race in split-screen on one system, while local wireless play accommodates up to eight players (two per Nintendo Switch 2 device). The new GameChat feature on the Switch 2 allows players to communicate and view each other's screens during races.
Additional features include Smart Steering to help players stay on track, Auto-accelerate for automatic forward movement, Tilt controls for enhanced immersion through motion control, and compatibility with the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel for an authentic racing experience.
Mario Kart World promises to revolutionize the kart-racing genre with its expansive, interconnected world, allowing players to explore the vibrant universe of Mario and his friends. The game is set to launch on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our article below!
