Among today's Nintendo Switch 2 news, Nintendo officially lifted the veil on the Mario Kart game, properly titled Mario Kart World, which will be exclusive to Switch 2 and launching on the same day as the console itself. Most notably, the game features a partially open-world structure that links tracks together and lets you "drive virtually everywhere."
The trailer opens with a lot of familiar power-ups and transforming kart styles, spiced up with 24 racers on a single track and vehicles transforming into jet skis, snowmobiles, and planes. A traditional grand prix mode links four tracks together with an ultimate winner crowned on points for an old-school Mario Kart experience.
But the difference here is that everything's connected in a big, open world, letting you go off-course and explore the spaces between the tracks. There's a full free roam mode, too, and a day-night cycle and inclement weather conditions to keep things varied as you drive around.
No word on whether the fan-favorite battle mode will return, but there is a new mode called Knockout Tour, where you race across the world hitting checkpoints along the way, with each checkpoint cutting out a number of racers at the back of the pack. You could call it a battle royale mode, but elimination modes certainly aren't unheard of in other racing games.
The game will support up to four players on a single system and yes, of course, Nintendo will be selling a separate wheel accessory to plug your Joy-Con into for that Wii-era motion control nostalgia. The game will, of course, also support online play, with support for the newly announced GameChat features.
Mario Kart World launches June 5, the same day as Switch 2 itself. More info on the game will come with a special Direct presentation on April 17.
For more upcoming Switch 2 games, you know where to click.
