Mario Kart World Direct: Switch 2 Launch Details Revealed

Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct has unveiled a wealth of exciting details about the highly anticipated launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release on June 5, 2025. From new characters and courses to innovative race modes and secrets, this Direct has left fans eager for more. Let's dive into everything you need to know about Mario Kart World.

Mario Kart World promises an expansive interconnected map filled with a mix of new and reimagined classic courses. Highlights include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Returning players will be thrilled to explore these familiar tracks, now reimagined to seamlessly integrate into the vast new world, offering fresh and exciting experiences on beloved classics.

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, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and many more such as 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.

The game introduces exciting new techniques, such as the Charge Jump, which allows players to dodge enemy attacks, reach higher places, grind on rails, and even ride on walls temporarily. Another innovative feature is the Rewind option, enabling players to retry hidden paths or improve their turns. However, players must be cautious as rivals continue to move normally during a rewind, potentially leading to more challenges.

Mario Kart World Screenshots

View 120 ImagesRaces - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World offers two main race modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. In Grand Prix, players will compete in multiple races across various cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup, driving seamlessly from course to course without exiting to a menu. Completing all cups may unlock a challenging "colorful course," possibly hinting at the iconic Rainbow Road, complete with new obstacles like bullet bill-shooting cars and hammer-throwing Hammer Bros.

Knockout Tour introduces a battle-royale-style mode where racers must reach checkpoints within a set time to avoid elimination, culminating in the Golden Rally and Ice Rally among other thrilling events.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

In Free Roam mode, players can explore the expansive world at their leisure, discovering P Switches, blue coins, and engaging in skill-enhancing missions. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await, and a photo mode allows players to capture their adventures. Visiting Yoshi's restaurant offers "Dash Food" that boosts speed and provides themed outfits, from cheeseburgers to sushi and more.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Mario Kart World enhances the multiplayer experience with various options, including four-player local play, local wireless play for up to eight players, and online play for up to 24 players worldwide. Friends can also explore the map together in Free Roam, engage in custom battles or races, and use Photo Mode to capture memorable moments. GameChat integrates voice and video communication, allowing players to see each other's reactions live, with support for up to four faces on a single system.

Beyond the main race modes, Mario Kart World includes Time Trials with online ghost data, customizable VS Mode with up to four teams, and the return of Battle Mode featuring Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.

Items

While classic items like Bullet Bill and Lightning return, Mario Kart World introduces new items such as the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course and leaves a trail of coins, the Ice Flower to freeze enemies, Hammers for attacking and blocking, the Mega Mushroom for size transformation, 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 Vertical and Horizontal Camera settings.

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