Mario Kart World Direct Highlights

The recently concluded Mario Kart World Direct on April 17th unveiled exciting details about the upcoming kart-racing title from the Mario Kart series. Dive into the game's innovative free-roam world and discover its unique features.

An Interconnected World

Nintendo showcased Mario Kart World, a game where players can drive freely and explore both familiar and new regions within the Mario universe. According to Nintendo, "In Mario Kart World, the game's courses are interspersed across the world with roads leading from one to the next – so players can experience navigating roads in between courses!"

Embark on an adventure through Mario's world, filled with scenic views and iconic landmarks. As you roam, uncover hidden items and engage in missions that enhance your driving skills beyond traditional races.

New and classic courses have been revealed, including 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 reimagined to seamlessly integrate into the expansive Mario Kart World experience.

Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World introduces two main racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, both accommodating up to 24 racers, marking the largest field in the series' history. Be prepared for various obstacles like Bullet Bill-shooting cars and attacks from Hammer Bros.

In the Grand Prix, players compete in four consecutive races to win cups such as the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, and Star Cup. A unique feature is the need to travel between races, culminating in a speculated "colorful course" likely to be Rainbow Road after completing all cups.

The newly introduced Knockout Tour is an extended race spanning the world, acting as a survival mode where racers must place well to advance or face elimination from the rally.

Items, Characters, and More

The game introduces a fresh arsenal of items alongside returning favorites. Notable new items include the Coin Shell, which can knock opponents aside and leave a trail of coins, the Ice Flower for freezing opponents, and the Big Mushroom to temporarily enlarge your kart and squash competitors.

The roster includes classic characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, joined by newcomers Goomba, Spike, and even a Cow. Players can discover alternate costumes hidden throughout the world, adding to the game's depth and replayability.

Playing With Friends

Mario Kart World offers diverse game modes for multiplayer enjoyment. Time Trials let you compete against global ghost data, while VS mode allows for team customization. Battle mode returns with Coin Runners and Balloon Battle, challenging players to collect coins or be the last with a balloon intact.

The game supports both local and online play, with up to four players in split-screen on one system, and local wireless play for up to eight players (two per Switch 2 device). The new GameChat feature on the Switch 2 enhances communication and screen sharing among players.

Additional features include Smart Steering to keep you on track, Auto-accelerate for effortless driving, Tilt controls for a more immersive experience, and compatibility with the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel for an authentic racing feel.

Mario Kart World promises to revolutionize the kart-racing genre with its expansive, interconnected world. Set to launch on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, stay tuned for more updates by checking out our related articles below!