Mario Kart World Direct: Key Highlights You Missed

The recently concluded Mario Kart World Direct revealed a plethora of exciting details about the upcoming kart-racing title in the Mario Kart series. Dive into the specifics of the game's expansive free-roam world and its myriad of features.

Mario Kart World Direct Reveals

An Interconnected World

Nintendo unveiled the intricacies of Mario Kart World during their April 17 Direct. Players can now explore a vast, interconnected world, seamlessly navigating between both familiar and new regions within the Mario universe.

As Nintendo explains, "In Mario Kart World, the game's courses are interspersed across the world with roads leading from one to the next – enabling players to experience driving on roads between courses!"

Embark on a journey through Mario's world like never before, with stunning landscapes and iconic landmarks spread throughout. Players can uncover hidden items and undertake missions to hone their driving skills beyond traditional races.

The game boasts a mix of new and reimagined classic courses, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. These classics have been creatively adapted to fit seamlessly into the new Mario Kart experience.

Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World introduces two primary racing modes: the Grand Prix and the Knockout Tour, both accommodating up to 24 racers, marking the largest field in the series' history. Racers must navigate through various obstacles, including cars launching Bullet Bills and Hammer Bros attacks.

In the Grand Prix, players compete across four consecutive races to win cups such as the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, and Star Cup. A unique twist requires players to physically travel to the next race location within the game world. Completing all cups unlocks a speculated "colorful course," potentially Rainbow Road.

The newly introduced Knockout Tour offers a thrilling survival race spanning from one end of the world to the other. Players must finish within a certain position to advance; otherwise, they are eliminated from the rally.

Items, Characters, and More

Mario Kart World introduces fresh items alongside returning favorites. New additions include the Coin Shell, which knocks opponents aside while leaving a trail of coins, the Ice Flower, which freezes racers on contact, and the Big Mushroom, which enlarges players and allows them to squash others.

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

Playing With Friends

The game offers a variety of game modes for players to enjoy. Time Trials let players compete against ghost data online, while VS mode allows for extensive customization and team-based racing. Battle mode returns with Coin Runners and Balloon Battle, challenging players to collect coins or be the last one with a balloon intact.

Mario Kart World supports both local and online multiplayer. Up to four players can race in split-screen mode on one system, and local wireless play supports up to eight players (two per Switch 2 device). The new GameChat feature on the Switch 2 enhances communication and screen-sharing among players.

Additional options like Smart Steering help players stay on course, Auto-accelerate drives racers forward automatically, and Tilt controls add immersion with motion controls. The game also supports the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel for an enhanced racing experience.

Mario Kart World aims to revolutionize the kart-racing genre by offering an open-world experience within the Mario universe. The game is slated for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by checking out our article below!