Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Summer Preview
  • Prime Day deals
  • New Games 2026
  • Best gaming tech
  • GTA 6
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Platforming Games
  3. Super Mario
  4. Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World adds 6 new items to Nintendo's beloved racing game series, including one that hasn't made an appearance in actual races for 33 years

News
By Anna Koselke published 17 April 2025

Wahoo!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Mario Kart World
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

As revealed during today's Mario Kart World Direct, the iconic racing game series' first-ever open-world entry features a variety of new items, ranging from the golden Coin Shell to the high-ranking Magikoopa, Kamek.

Mario Kart World boasts many firsts for Nintendo, from its Tony Hawk-style rail-grinding mechanic to its unique off-roading and open-world layout.

The game's new items are no exception, starting with the Coin Shell. Upon throwing a shiny Koopa shell, coins will appear in its stead – but players will have to be quick to collect them, as other racers can pick them up if they manage to drive through them first.

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

Another new item joining Mario Kart World's impressive line-up is the Ice Flower, which functions much like its counterpart in Super Mario Bros.

Players can fire ice blocks at other racers, freezing them while sending their vehicles spinning out of control along the track.

You may like
  • Bee Wario pops a trick off Crown City Bridge in Mario Kart World Mario Kart World suddenly gets a new game mode after Nintendo ruined its own surprise, alongside a buff for blue shells
  • Spike closely staring at the camera in a Mario Kart World screenshot. Mario Kart World's Bullet Bill power-ups "actually work like they're supposed to" now, players say
  • Switch 2 launch games: a close-up of Mario and Luigi racing each other during Mario Kart World. The real-life F1 car's new boosting feature is "like the mushroom in Mario Kart," drivers say

There's also the Hammer, an item that users can aim in an arc at others. Hammers stay where they've hit the ground for a while, too, acting as a short-term barrier.

YouTube YouTube
Watch On
— YouTube

The next item showcased during Nintendo's livestream is the Mega Mushroom, a consumable that causes players to grow exponentially in size, allowing them to flatten any fellow racers in their way.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Then, there's the Feather, a returning item from the 1992 Super Mario Kart which has otherwise only been featured in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's battle mode. It's a simple item that lets users jump high up into the air to avoid incoming attacks from others.

The final new item highlighted in the video is Kamek, Bowser's adviser and one of Mario's most notorious nemeses. By using Kamek's magic, players can transform other racers and cause "mysterious effects" to happen on the course.

As a longtime Mario Kart fan myself, it looks like it might end up being one of the most OP items available. No need to worry, though – much like the Bullet Bill item in past entries, powerful Mario Kart world items have a higher chance of being obtained by players further behind in a race to keep things fair.

Curious about the new racing game? Check out our Mario Kart World preview for more.

CATEGORIES
Racing Games Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo
Anna Koselke
Anna Koselke
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer

After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Bee Wario pops a trick off Crown City Bridge in Mario Kart World
Super Mario Mario Kart World suddenly gets a new game mode after Nintendo ruined its own surprise, alongside a buff for blue shells
 
 
Spike closely staring at the camera in a Mario Kart World screenshot.
Super Mario Mario Kart World's Bullet Bill power-ups "actually work like they're supposed to" now, players say
 
 
Switch 2 launch games: a close-up of Mario and Luigi racing each other during Mario Kart World.
Racing Games The real-life F1 car's new boosting feature is "like the mushroom in Mario Kart," drivers say
 
 
Rosalina riding the Stellar Sled kart across the snow in Mario Kart World
Super Mario The Super Mario Galaxy Movie's Brie Larson proves being Rosalina can't save you from experiencing peak Mario Kart
 
 
Official art for Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition - Switch 2 Edition's Nopon Grand Prix minigame.
Xenoblade Chronicles My favorite JRPG ever added a wildly out-of-place racing minigame and I'm so glad it exists
 
 
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Animated Movies The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Easter eggs: All the Nintendo references and cameos you may have missed
 
 
Latest in Super Mario
Super Mario World, our number one best retro games
Super Mario Super Mario World director Takashi Tezuka is leaving Nintendo after 42 years
 
 
Best NES games: Link holding a sword in the game The Legend of Zelda.
Super Mario Zelda was Nintendo's answer to "traditional RPGs," Shigeru Miyamoto says
 
 
Mario Bros 2 key art showing mario throwing a vegtable at enemies
Super Mario Nintendo was a madhouse thanks to the simultaneous development of Mario and Zelda, Miyamoto says
 
 
Mario riding Yoshi through space with Luigi and Peach flying along beside him
Super Mario Shigeru Miyamoto wants to keep The Super Mario Galaxy Movie's Princess Peach backstory changes canon in future games
 
 
Super Mario 64
Super Mario Nobody can touch the $10,000 Super Mario 64 speedrunning bounty except for the guy who started it
 
 
Image of the line of 5-inch Super Mario Galaxy Movie toys standing on a table.
Toys & Collectibles The movie only just come out, but Super Mario Galaxy Movie toys are already receiving their first stellar discounts
 
 
Latest in News
Diablo warlock in the Warlock Class Cinematic Trailer.
Diablo Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred stats reveal ARPG players prefer Warlocks to Paladins by almost 2 to 1
 
 
A cartoonish wild cat cooks over an open flame with a smile
RPGs Dev makes offer I can't refuse: get our new RPG cheap by downloading our survival game for free
 
 
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners character Rebecca with a shotgun
Action RPGs Action RPG Wuthering Waves hits Steam record thanks to Lucy and Rebecca from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
 
 
Destiny 2 character Lodi in brown suit
Destiny "I am utterly livid": Destiny 2 lore master says secret scene reveals "the potential that was ahead"
 
 
Halo 2
Halo "I look at AI almost like a toddler": OG Halo artist says devs relying on AI face "a rude awakening"
 
 
Nier Automata mask in Stellar Blade DLC
Action RPGs After saying the first game beats Nier Automata, Yoko Taro is hyped for Stellar Blade: Blood Rain
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Diablo warlock in the Warlock Class Cinematic Trailer.
    1
    Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred stats reveal ARPG players prefer Warlocks to Paladins by almost 2 to 1
  2. 2
    Dev makes offer I can't refuse: get our new RPG cheap by downloading our survival game for free
  3. 3
    Action RPG Wuthering Waves hits Steam record thanks to Lucy and Rebecca from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
  4. 4
    Fable drops the original games' good and evil binary for a "subjective and multifaceted" reputation system
  5. 5
    "I am utterly livid": Destiny 2 lore master says secret scene reveals "the potential that was ahead"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...