The recent Mario Kart World Direct provided extensive details about the upcoming kart-racing game in the Mario Kart franchise. Discover what the new free-roam world offers and its standout features.
Mario Kart World Direct Announcements
A Seamlessly Connected World
Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct, held on April 17, showcased multiple gameplay elements. Players can now drive across Mario Kart World and visit both familiar regions and brand-new locations.
Nintendo stated: "In Mario Kart World, courses are scattered throughout the world, connected by roads so players can travel between them and enjoy the journey!"
Explore the Mushroom Kingdom in a whole new way—take in stunning scenery and iconic landmarks while uncovering hidden items and missions that help improve driving skills even outside races.
New and remastered classic courses include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Original courses have been reimagined to fit this groundbreaking Mario Kart experience.
Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
The game offers two main racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Both support up to 24 players—a series record—and challenges like Bullet Bill-firing cars and Hammer Bros. attacks add to the excitement.
In Grand Prix, players complete four races in a row to earn the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and more. Unlike previous titles, you must travel to each new race location to continue. Beating all cups unlocks a mysterious "colorful course," believed by many to be Rainbow Road.
Knockout Tour offers long-distance races across the world. This survival-style mode eliminates players who fail to finish, pushing them to race strategically to stay in the competition.
New Items, Characters, and More
Along with returning favorites, Mario Kart World introduces new power-ups like the Coin Shell—knocking out rivals while leaving coins behind—the Ice Flower, which freezes opponents, and the Big Mushroom, letting players grow and flatten competitors.
Iconic characters such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser are joined by newcomers like Goomba, Spike, and Cow. Each racer features alternate outfits hidden throughout the world for players to unlock.
Playing With Friends
Choose from a variety of game modes: Time Trials let you race against ghost data from players worldwide, VS Mode supports team customization for competitive battles, and Battle Mode brings back fan-favorites like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.
Play locally or online with up to four players per system via split-screen, or connect up to eight players using multiple Switch 2 devices. The new GameChat feature enables voice chat and screen sharing.
Accessibility options include Smart Steering to avoid falling off tracks, Auto-Accelerate for automatic driving, Tilt Controls for motion-based play, and compatibility with the Joy-Con 2 Wheel for a true racing feel.
Mario Kart World redefines kart racing with its expansive open world, inviting players to freely roam the Mushroom Kingdom. Launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, the game promises to deliver a fresh twist on a beloved series. Stay informed with the latest updates by reading more below!
