Mario Kart World Direct: Switch 2 Launch Details Unveiled

Nintendo recently unveiled a wealth of exciting details about the upcoming launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World, through their Mario Kart World Direct. This much-anticipated game is set to launch alongside the new console on June 5, 2025. This comprehensive roundup covers everything you need to know, helping to ease the anticipation until the release.

Mario Kart World introduces an expansive and interconnected map filled with both new and reimagined classic courses. Highlights from the Direct included Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Notably, the revamped older courses promise fresh experiences within the game's vast new world, enhancing the nostalgia for returning players.

Characters and New Techniques

With up to 24 racers competing in a single race, Mario Kart World boasts a diverse roster of characters. The Direct showcased an array of familiar faces, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and many others like Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Baby Rosalina, Rosalina, Koopa, Rocky Wrench, Conkdor, Goomba, Spike, Cow, King Boo, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Birdo, Bowser Jr., Lakitu, Toad, Wario, Pauline, Toadette, Shy Guy, Nabbit, Piranha Plant, Hammer Bro, Monty Mole, Dry Bones, Wiggler, Cataquack, Pianta, Sidestepper, and Cheep Cheep.

Players can look forward to new driving techniques that add depth to the gameplay. The Charge Jump allows racers to dodge attacks, reach higher platforms, grind rails, and even ride walls temporarily. The Rewind feature offers a second chance to navigate tricky paths or improve turns, though players must be cautious as opponents continue to move forward during rewinds.

Mario Kart World Screenshots

View 120 ImagesRaces - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

The game offers two main racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Grand Prix retains the classic format where players compete in multiple races to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup. The seamless transition between courses without returning to a menu enhances the experience, thanks to the game's open-world structure. Completing all cups might unlock a challenging "colorful course," likely Rainbow Road, featuring new obstacles like cars shooting bullet bills and Hammer Bros. throwing hammers.

Knockout Tour introduces a battle-royale-style mode where racers must reach checkpoints within a set time or be eliminated. The last racer standing wins in events like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

The Free Roam mode allows players to explore the world at their leisure, without the pressure of racing. Players can discover P Switches to activate blue coins, triggering missions that enhance racing skills. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await discovery, and a photo mode lets players capture memorable moments.

Visiting Yoshi's restaurant offers a fun twist, where players can grab "Dash Food" for speed boosts and themed outfits, such as those inspired by cheeseburgers, sushi, skewers, chips, roasted meat, pizza, and ice cream.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Playing with friends in Mario Kart World promises to be a highlight. The game supports up to four players on a single system, local wireless play with up to eight players across two systems, and online play with up to 24 players globally. Between races, players can enjoy free-roaming with friends, seeing their locations on the map, and fast-traveling to join them for races, battles, or exploration. The photo mode extends to multiplayer, allowing friends to capture shared moments.

GameChat integrates seamlessly, enabling voice communication and live video reactions for players with compatible cameras, with the ability to detect up to four faces on a single system.

In addition to the main racing modes, Mario Kart World offers Time Trials with the option to race against global ghost data online. VS Mode allows for extensive customization, enabling races with up to four different teams. Battle Mode returns with classics like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.

Items

Familiar items like Bullet Bill and Lightning return, joined by new additions such as the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course and leaves a trail of coins. Other new items include the Ice Flower for freezing opponents, Hammers for attacking and blocking, a Mega Mushroom for size advantage, a Feather for jumping, and a Kamek item for mysterious transformations.

Support Features

Mario Kart World aims to cater to players of all skill levels with support features like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (compatible with Joy-Con wheel), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and customizable camera settings for both vertical and horizontal views.

For further insights, check out our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, how Nintendo justifies its $80 price tag, and our extensive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.