The recently concluded Mario Kart World Direct showcased an exciting array of features for the upcoming kart-racing title in the Mario Kart series. Dive into the details of the game's innovative free-roam world and its exciting additions.
Mario Kart World Direct Reveals
An Interconnected World
Nintendo unveiled Mario Kart World during their April 17 Direct, offering insights into various new features. Players can freely drive around Mario Kart World, exploring both familiar and new regions within the series.
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!"
Explore the expansive world of Mario like never before, with stunning scenic views and iconic landmarks spread throughout. Hidden items and missions await as players roam around, enhancing their driving skills outside of traditional races.
The Direct revealed both new and classic courses, 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 new Mario Kart 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. Racers must navigate numerous obstacles, including cars launching Bullet Bills and attacks from the Hammer Bros.
In the Grand Prix, players compete through four consecutive races to win cups like the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, and Star Cup. A unique twist sees players traveling to the next race location, with speculation that completing all Grand Prix Cups unlocks a special "colorful course," potentially Rainbow Road.
The newly introduced Knockout Tour takes players on an extended journey across the world. This survival-style mode requires racers to finish in a qualifying position to advance, with elimination for those who fail to meet the mark.
Items, Characters, and More
Mario Kart World introduces a fresh arsenal of items alongside returning favorites. New items include the Coin Shell, which knocks opponents aside and leaves a trail of coins, the Ice Flower, which freezes competitors, and the Big Mushroom, which enlarges players to squash rivals.
The roster features classic Mushroom Kingdom characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, joined by new additions such as Goomba, Spike, and Cow. Players can discover alternate costumes hidden throughout the world, adding variety to their racing experience.
Playing With Friends
The game offers a variety of modes for multiplayer enjoyment. Time Trials let players compete against global ghost data, while VS mode provides extensive customization options for team racing. Battle mode returns with Coin Runners, where players vie to collect the most coins, and Balloon Battle, where the last balloon standing wins.
Mario Kart World supports both local and online play, with up to four players racing in split-screen on one system. Local wireless play allows up to eight players (two per Switch 2 device) to compete. The new GameChat feature on the Switch 2 enhances communication and screen sharing among players.
Additional options like Smart Steering help keep players on track, Auto-accelerate drives racers forward automatically, and Tilt controls add immersion through motion control. The game also supports the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel for an enhanced racing experience.
Mario Kart World promises to redefine the kart-racing genre with its expansive, interconnected map, allowing players to freely explore the world of Mario and his friends. Set for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new title!
