Mario Kart World Direct Highlights Revealed

The highly anticipated Mario Kart World Direct recently unveiled a wealth of exciting details about the upcoming kart-racing game in the Mario Kart series. Dive in to discover more about the game's expansive free-roam world and its innovative features.

An Interconnected World

Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct on April 17 provided a deep dive into various aspects and features of the game. Players will have the opportunity to drive around Mario Kart World, exploring both familiar regions and new territories within the series.

Nintendo explains, "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 world of Mario like never before, with breathtaking scenic views and iconic landmarks spread throughout. Players can uncover hidden items and engage in missions while roaming to enhance their driving skills outside of races.

New and classic courses have been introduced, 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 this expansive Mario Kart experience.

Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World offers two primary racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, both accommodating up to 24 racers, setting a new record for the series. Racers should be prepared for various obstacles, such as cars that launch Bullet Bills and attacks from the Hammer Bros.

In the Grand Prix mode, players compete in four consecutive races to win cups like the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, and Star Cup. A unique aspect is that players must physically travel to the next race location to continue in the Grand Prix. Completing all Grand Prix Cups will unlock a special "colorful course," speculated to be the beloved Rainbow Road.

The newly introduced Knockout Tour takes players on an extended journey across the world. This survival-style race requires racers to maintain their position to advance to the next race; otherwise, they're eliminated from the rally.

Items, Characters, and More

Mario Kart World introduces a fresh set of items alongside returning favorites. Notable new items include the Coin Shell, which can knock opponents aside while leaving a trail of coins, the Ice Flower, which freezes racers on contact, and the Big Mushroom, which temporarily enlarges players to squash competitors.

The game features a vibrant roster of classic Mushroom Kingdom characters such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, alongside newcomers like Goomba, Spike, and even Cow. Players can discover and unlock alternate costumes for these characters hidden throughout the world.

Playing With Friends

Mario Kart World offers a variety of game modes to enjoy with friends. Time Trials allow players to compete against global ghost data, while VS mode provides extensive customization options for team-based races. 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. Up to four players can race in split-screen mode on a single system, and local wireless play supports up to eight players (two per Nintendo Switch 2). The new GameChat feature on the Switch 2 enhances communication, allowing players to chat and view each other's screens.

Additional options include Smart Steering to help players stay on course, 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 experience.

Mario Kart World is set to revolutionize the kart-racing genre with its expansive, interconnected world, offering players the freedom to explore Mario's universe. The game is slated for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our article below!