Mario Kart World Direct Unveiled for Switch 2 Launch

Nintendo's recent Mario Kart World Direct provided an exciting look into the launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release on June 5, 2025. The Direct unveiled a wealth of information on characters, courses, races, and innovative gameplay features, enhancing the anticipation for this eagerly awaited game.

This comprehensive roundup aims to consolidate all the essential details from the Direct, offering fans a thorough preview to tide them over until the game's launch.

Courses

Mario Kart World will introduce a diverse range of new and classic courses seamlessly integrated into an expansive, interconnected map. Highlighted courses include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. For veterans of the series, these familiar tracks have been reimagined to blend seamlessly with the game's new world, offering fresh takes on beloved classics.

Characters and New Techniques

With support for up to 24 racers per event, Mario Kart World boasts an extensive roster of characters, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and many more, ensuring a wide variety of options for players. The Direct showcased new driving techniques such as the Charge Jump, allowing racers to dodge attacks, reach higher platforms, and even ride on walls temporarily. Another thrilling addition is the Rewind feature, which lets players retry a section to take a better turn or discover hidden paths, although careful use is advised as rivals continue to race normally during rewinds.

Mario Kart World Screenshots

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Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World introduces two main racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Grand Prix retains the traditional format where players race across multiple courses to win cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup, with a seamless transition between races thanks to the game's open structure. Completing all Grand Prix Cups may unlock the iconic Rainbow Road, complete with new challenges such as cars firing bullet bills and Hammer Bros. tossing hammers.

Knockout Tour offers a battle-royale-style experience where racers must reach checkpoints within a set time to avoid elimination, culminating in thrilling finales like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

The Free Roam mode allows players to explore the expansive world without the pressure of racing. Discovering P Switches, collecting blue coins, and engaging in skill-enhancing missions are part of the exploration. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await, and a photo mode lets players capture memorable moments. Additionally, visiting Yoshi's restaurant offers "Dash Food" for speed boosts and themed outfits inspired by various cuisines.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Mario Kart World emphasizes multiplayer fun with multiple play options, including four-player local play, local wireless with up to eight players, and global online play with up to 24 participants. Friends can explore the map together, engage in custom races or battles, and utilize the photo mode. GameChat enhances the experience with voice and video communication, even supporting up to four face detection on a single system.

Modes

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

Items

While familiar items like Bullet Bill and Lightning return, new additions such as the Coin Shell, Ice Flower, Hammers, Mega Mushroom, Feather, and the Kamek item promise to add strategic depth to races, offering players various ways to outmaneuver rivals.

Support Features

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

For further insights, explore our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, Nintendo's justification for the game's $80 price tag, and our detailed interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2.