The highly anticipated Mario Kart World Direct has unveiled exciting new details about the upcoming addition to the beloved Mario Kart series. Dive into the world of Mario Kart World and discover what this innovative kart-racing title has in store.
Mario Kart World Direct Reveals
An Interconnected World
Nintendo's recent Mario Kart World Direct, held on April 17, provided an in-depth look at the game's expansive and interconnected world. Players can now drive freely through Mario Kart World, exploring both familiar and new regions of the Mario universe.
According to Nintendo, "In Mario Kart World, the game's courses are seamlessly connected across the world with roads leading from one to the next – allowing players to experience navigating roads between courses!"
Embark on an adventure through Mario's world like never before, with breathtaking landscapes and iconic landmarks spread throughout. As you roam, uncover hidden items and missions designed to enhance your driving skills beyond traditional races.
The game introduces both new and 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 reimagined to seamlessly integrate into the expansive world of Mario Kart World.
Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World offers two primary racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, both supporting up to 24 racers – the largest number in the series' history. Participants must navigate various obstacles, including cars that launch Bullet Bills and attacks from Hammer Bros.
In the Grand Prix mode, players race through four consecutive events to win cups like the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, and Star Cup. A unique twist this time around is that players must travel between races to continue their Grand Prix journey. Completing all Grand Prix Cups unlocks a speculated "colorful course," believed to be the iconic Rainbow Road.
The newly introduced Knockout Tour takes players on a thrilling journey across the world. These extended races operate as a survival mode where maintaining a high placement is crucial to advancing to the next race; otherwise, racers are eliminated from the rally.
Items, Characters, and More
Mario Kart World introduces a fresh arsenal of items alongside returning favorites. New items include the Coin Shell, which can knock opponents aside while leaving a trail of collectable coins, the Ice Flower that freezes racers on contact, and the Big Mushroom, which enlarges players and can squash other racers.
The game features a vibrant roster of classic Mushroom Kingdom characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, as well as new additions such as Goomba, Spike, and even Cow. Hidden throughout the world are alternate costumes for these characters, waiting to be discovered and donned by players.
Playing With Friends
Mario Kart World offers a variety of game modes to enjoy with friends. Time Trials let players compete against global ghost data, while VS mode allows for extensive customization, including team creation. 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, with up to four players able to race in split-screen on a single system. Local wireless play supports up to eight players (two per Switch 2 device). The new GameChat feature on the Switch 2 enhances the multiplayer experience by allowing players to communicate and view each other's screens.
Additional features include Smart Steering to help players stay on track, Auto-accelerate for automatic forward movement, Tilt controls for a more immersive experience, and support for the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel, enhancing the racing feel.
Mario Kart World promises to revolutionize the kart-racing genre with its open-world exploration, 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!
