Mario Kart World is finally here, and it's opening up a brand new era for our favourite racing plumber and his pals. As the follow-up to one of the best racing games of all time, let alone one of the very best Switch games we saw come to Nintendo's last-gen console, Mario Kart World has already accelerated its way to being one of the most anticipated new games of the year since it's announcement during the Nintendo Switch 2 direct back in April.
Not only is it bringing brand new modes, a massive roster of characters, and a Free Roam feature, but we are also getting choice chat and a ton of cool online features as well. However, while we personally say this is the best Switch 2 game currently available, you may be wondering if this competitive outing is for you. After all, the Switch 2 isn't exactly cheap, and there are still plenty of upcoming Switch 2 games on the horizon for you to spend your money on instead. Well, we're here to give you all the Mario Kart World information that you need to know before you break the bank.
Mario Kart World release date
Mario Kart World was officially released on the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. This date was first revealed back during the April 2 showcase. However, we technically got our first look at the game on January 16, during the Switch 2 announcement that showed some sneaky racing footage.
While Mario Kart World reviews are still coming in, first impressions of the game have generally been positive. Many are praising the title's new Knockout mode, while the Free Roam feature that lets players drive around the map at their own leisure to discover secrets and stickers to customize their vehicles with has been mixed.
In our Mario Kart World June preview, we were in the camp who liked the scope of Free Roam and generally are excited to keep discovering more of Mario Kart World, as there is a ton to explore and unpack. We'll let you know what the general consensus truly is once more reviews start popping up in the wild.
Mario Kart World trailer
Mario Kart World platforms
Mario Kart World is a Switch 2 exclusive. So that means you won't be able to play it on your old Switch.
One thing is for certain, as well, like with all Mario games, platforms will be strictly Nintendo-owned and operated. So, don't expect to play Mario Kart 9 on your Steam Deck or PS5 anytime soon.
Mario Kart World gameplay
The Mario Kart World gameplay reveal during the Nintendo 2 Direct gave us our first proper look at the new Mario Kart game in action, and it's gone in an open-world direction. Instead of the usual track set-up we've seen in previous entries, the races take place in "various regions that span the globe", and even feature different weather conditions and times of day, which changes up the atmosphere of the race you're speeding your way through.
Not only that, but you won't just be hitting the road either, with the ability to drive almost anywhere. Yes, that means you can now race off the track, too, and there's even an option to go for a casual drive with pals in a new Free Roam. From our time with the game so far, this pairs perfectly with the game's photo mode, which is another new feature introduced in Mario Kart World - the trailer shows some drivers sidling up together to get in the camera frame for a screenshot.
There are also 24 racers hitting the track, which is a series first, and there are a ton of fancy new features as well. For instance, a new "Charge Jump" move lets you jump onto rails, quickly avoid attacks, and lets you chain wall drives in order to uncover secret routes on the course. You can also unlock outfits for your racers by finding food on different tracks.
World also lives up to its name by having you race between courses during the Grand Prix mode to reach the next track, which makes it feel much bigger in scope and keeps the flow of the race going. Each "lap" to the next course is broken up into sections as opposed to looping tracks.
In the past, vehicles were broken up into different parts we could choose from -such as selecting wheels and paragliders, but a past Nintendo Treehouse also confirmed that the vehicles in World are all "fully formed".
With a Mario Kart World Direct in April following the console's dedicated showcase, we got a big deep-dive into the new racing adventure, with confirmation that Free-Roam features "hundreds" of P switches that are hidden around the world that start up missions a bit like those found in Mario Kart DS's Mission Mode - with the switches appearing to start up objectives such as collecting a set number of coins, or reaching a particular goal.
Finally, voice chat is in Mario Kart World for all you Nintendo Switch Online Members. It will also be compatible with the new Switch 2 camera if you plan to watch your friends play or keep an eye on them online. Tilt Controls for motion control steering are also available for folks. There is also a Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessory up for sale, but that will cost you extra.
Mario Kart World modes
There are five modes in Mario Kart World: Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, Time Trials, Vs Race, and Battle. So, let's break down each of them.
In Grand Prix mode, you'll race against drivers, and once you complete all circuits, Nintendo has also teased that potentially a "colorful new course" will unlock as well. There are a total of seven cups to play through, each with four distinctive tracks. Like with past Mario Kart games, the difficulty of your races is up to what engine classes you pick before starting a circuit (eg. 50cc, 100cc, etc).
In VS races, you can create up to four competing teams this time around, fully utilizing the stacked 24-racer roster in the game. This mode will have you and your team compete in a Grand Prix, and it's up to you to gather more points than your opponents by placing higher after each race.
While not a new mode officially in Mario Kart World, Free Roam is a new feature that we need to highlight as well. In Free Roam, we can, as the name gives away, freely roam through any of the tracks within a cup course. You can go in any direction you want, too, with the freedom to go off-road and casually drive around with friends around any part of the course. This presents you with the chance to not only explore but also try to learn each track and perhaps come up with new strategies to win.
Another new Mario Kart World mode is Knockout Tour, which is a "transcontinental rally" where 24 players have to try and avoid being knocked out and make it through each leg of the race - all the tracks are interconnected. Every checkpoint will have set parameters, so you have to be in a certain place in the race to qualify for the next part. Going from 20th or better, it breaks down to 16th or better, 12th or better, 8th or better, and 4th or better, before it's down to the last two racers who have to aim for first place to ultimately win.
We've also learned the names of the different possible courses you can race through in the Knockout mode, which are as follows: Golden Rally, Ice Rally, Moon Rally, Spiny Rally, Cheery Rally, Acorn Rally, Cloud Rally, and Heart Rally.
In Knockout Mode, Free Roam will also briefly act as a play lobby while you wait for players to join the session, with binocular stations dotted around the area that let you do some sightseeing in the interim. You'll also be able to send messages to other racers using the D-Pad on the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers.
Battle Mode is also returning to the fold, with Balloon Battle and Coin Runners - two challenges that were in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. And of course, the Time Trial mode is also back to making use of the Switch 2's online features.
Mario Kart World tracks and courses
Below, we've listed all the tracks as well as the circuits in the Mario Kart World Grand Prix. There are 7 cups in total, each with four distinct tracks that range from never-seen-before courses to legacy hits from past Mario Kart games like Toad's Factory from Mario Kart Wii and Choco Mountain from Mario Kart 64.
Here are all the tracks in the Mushroom Cup:
- Mario Bros circuit
- Crown City
- Whistlestop Summit
- DK Spaceport
Here are all the tracks in the Flower Cup:
- Desert Hills
- Shy Guy Bazar
- Wario Stadium
- Airship Fortress
Here are all the tracks in the Star Cup:
- DK Pass
- Starview Peak
- Sky-High Sundae
- Wario Shipyard
Here are all the tracks in the Shell Cup:
- Koopa Troopa Beach
- Faraway Oasis
- Crown City
- Peach Stadium
Here are all the tracks in the Banana Cup:
- Peach Beach
- Salty Salty Speedway
- Dino Dino Jungle
- Great ? Block ruins
Here are all the tracks in the Leaf Cup:
- Cheep Cheep beach
- Dandelion Depths
- Boo Cinema
- Dry Bones Burnout
Here are all the tracks in the Lightning Cup:
- Moo Moo Meadows
- Choco Mountain
- Toad's Factory
- Bowser's Castle
Mario Kart World characters
There are a ton of Mario Kart World characters that we'll be able to play as. The big showcase also confirmed that there are 24 placements in each race, which is a series first; we've only typically seen 12 racers on the track in previous games. Each character will also have a selection of different outfits to choose from, so you can speed against others in style.
Here is a list of all the racers that we spotted in Mario Kart World so far, with new additions set to come as we discover more locked racers over the next few days:
- Mario
- Baby Mario
- Luigi
- Baby Luigi
- Princess Peach
- Baby Peach
- Princess Daisy
- Baby Daisy
- Yoshi
- Birdo
- Toad
- Toadette
- Koopa Troopa
- Dry Bones
- Bowser
- Baby Bowser
- Wario
- Waluigi
- Rosalina
- Baby Rosalina
- Donkey Kong
- Boo
- Piranha Plant
- Pauline
- Shy Guy
- Moo Moo Meadows cow
- Stingby
- Fish Bone
- Goomba
- Biddybud
- Spike
- Conkdor
- Snowman
- Pianta
- Nabbit
- Sidestepper
- Swoop
- Coin Coffer
- Dolphin
- Cataquack
- Cheep Cheep
- Pokey
- Penguin
- Peepa
- Monty Mole
- Wiggler
- Lakitu
- Hammer Bro
- Rocky Wrench
Mario Kart World price
Mario Kart World price
According to the official Nintendo website, the Mario Kart World price is $79.99 in the US. In the UK, the My Nintendo page states that the digital edition of the game comes in at £66.99 while the physical version costs £74.99.
This makes Mario Kart World much more expensive than its predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with Switch 2 bundles combining with a copy of World coming in at $499.99.
For more on Nintendo, head over to our guide on where to buy the Switch 2 or read our Switch 2 review.
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