Mario Kart World Direct: Switch 2 Launch Title Announcements

Nintendo recently unveiled a treasure trove of information during their Mario Kart World Direct, shedding light on the much-anticipated launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release on June 5, 2025. This comprehensive roundup aims to keep you in the loop with all the exciting details revealed about the game, helping to ease the anticipation until its launch.

Mario Kart World promises an expansive and interconnected map filled with both new and reimagined classic courses. Highlights from the Direct include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Fans of the series will be thrilled to know that these older courses have been revamped to seamlessly integrate into the new world, offering a fresh take on beloved tracks.

Characters and New Techniques

With the capacity for up to 24 racers in a single race, Mario Kart World boasts an extensive roster of characters. The Direct showcased a diverse lineup including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and many more, ensuring a variety of options for players. The game introduces new driving techniques such as the Charge Jump, which allows racers to dodge attacks, reach higher places, and even ride on walls temporarily. Another exciting feature is the Rewind mechanic, enabling players to retry tricky sections or take better turns, though it's crucial to use it wisely as rivals continue to move forward.

Mario Kart World Screenshots

View 120 ImagesRaces - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World offers two primary racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. The familiar Grand Prix mode involves competing in multiple races to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup, with the added twist of driving directly from course to course for a more fluid experience. Completing all cups might unlock the iconic Rainbow Road, now featuring new challenges like bullet bill-shooting cars and Hammer Bros. The Knockout Tour mode introduces a battle-royale style race across the map, where players must reach checkpoints in time or face elimination, culminating in thrilling finales like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

The Free Roam mode in Mario Kart World allows players to explore the map at their leisure, discovering hidden elements like P Switches and blue coins, which trigger missions to enhance racing skills. Hidden treasures such as Peach Medallions and secret panels await discovery, and a photo mode lets players capture their adventures. Visiting Yoshi's restaurant offers "Dash Food" that boosts speed and provides themed outfits, adding a fun twist to exploration.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Mario Kart World enhances the multiplayer experience with various options for playing with friends. Players can enjoy four-player split-screen, local wireless play with up to eight players, and online play with up to 24 racers. The game also allows for free roaming with friends between races, complete with the ability to fast travel to each other's locations for spontaneous races or battles. The integrated GameChat feature supports voice communication and live video reactions, enhancing the social aspect of the game.

In addition to the main racing modes, Mario Kart World includes Time Trials with online ghost data competition, customizable VS Mode for team races, and the return of Battle Mode with classics like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.

Items

Mario Kart World brings back fan-favorite items like Bullet Bill and Lightning, alongside new additions such as the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course and leaves a trail of coins, the Ice Flower for freezing opponents, Hammers for attacking and blocking, the Mega Mushroom for size increase, the Feather for jumping, and the Kamek item for mysterious transformations.

Support Features

To cater to players of all skill levels, Mario Kart World includes support features like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (compatible with Joy-Con 2 wheel), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and adjustable camera settings, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone.

For more insights, don't miss our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, an analysis of its $80 price tag, and our exclusive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.