Mario Kart World Direct Highlights Revealed

The recently concluded Mario Kart World Direct has unveiled exciting details about the latest addition to the beloved Mario Kart series. Dive into the world of Mario Kart World and discover its innovative free-roam features and more.

Mario Kart World Direct Reveals

An Interconnected World

During the Mario Kart World Direct on April 17, Nintendo shared insights into the game's expansive world. Players can now explore Mario Kart World, traversing both familiar regions and new territories within the series.

Nintendo stated, "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 a journey through Mario's world, enjoying scenic views and iconic landmarks. Hidden items and missions await players, enhancing their driving skills beyond the race tracks.

A mix of new and classic courses has been announced, 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 revamped to seamlessly integrate into the expansive world of Mario Kart.

Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World introduces two main racing types: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, both accommodating up to 24 racers, the highest number in the series' history. Racers should be prepared for various obstacles like Bullet Bills 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 twist is that players must travel to the next race location to continue. Upon completing all Grand Prix Cups, a speculated "colorful course," possibly Rainbow Road, becomes available.

The newly introduced Knockout Tour takes players across the world in extended survival races. To advance, racers must secure a qualifying position, or face elimination from the rally.

Items, Characters, and More

Mario Kart World features a refreshed set of items for races, blending new and classic favorites. The Coin Shell can knock opponents aside while leaving a trail of coins, the Ice Flower freezes racers on contact, and the Big Mushroom enlarges players to squash opponents.

The roster includes classic Mushroom Kingdom characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, alongside new additions such as Goomba, Spike, and even Cow. Players can discover alternate costumes hidden throughout the world, adding variety to their racing experience.

Playing With Friends

Mario Kart World offers various multiplayer modes. Time Trials let players 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 one standing with a balloon.

The game supports both local and online play, with up to four players in split-screen mode on a single system. Local wireless play supports up to 8 players (2 per Switch 2 device). The new GameChat feature on Switch 2 enhances communication and screen sharing among players.

Additional features include Smart Steering to keep players on course, Auto-accelerate for automatic forward movement, Tilt controls for a more immersive experience, and support for the Joy-Con 2 Wheel for an authentic racing feel.

Mario Kart World promises to revolutionize the kart-racing genre with its open-world exploration. Set for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2, keep an eye on our updates for the latest news on Mario Kart World!