Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2: Everything You Need to Know
The wait is finally over — Mario Kart World is racing onto the Nintendo Switch 2 this June 5, 2025, and it’s bringing the biggest, craziest, and most exciting Mario Kart adventure yet.
Nintendo recently treated fans to a Mario Kart World Direct, giving us a sneak peek at what’s coming. Whether you’ve been a fan forever or just curious to try it out, there’s plenty here to get you hyped. Let’s check out the details!
An Open-World Twist with Reimagined Classics
For the first time ever, Mario Kart World features an open-world map that merges new tracks with classic favorites into one big, smooth racing world.
You’ll race through fresh courses like Crown City and Salty Salty Speedway, while revisiting beloved tracks like Peach Beach and Wario Shipyard, each given clever new spins.
The coolest part? You can drive from one course to another without stopping back at a menu — making the race feel way more real and exciting.
24 Racers, New Tricks, and a Touch of Strategy
With up to 24 racers battling it out in a single race, Mario Kart World offers a huge lineup of characters to choose from. Expect to see staples like Mario, Bowser, and Donkey Kong, along with new faces like Rocky Wrench and Conkdor.
The racing itself is also smarter. New moves like Charge Jump let you dodge attacks or find secret paths by grinding rails and riding walls.
And if you miss a shortcut or wipe out badly? The new Rewind feature rewinds time — but watch out, your opponents keep racing, so use it wisely!
Mario Kart World is packed with fresh modes:
- Grand Prix stays the same, but now you race straight from the world instead of going back to a menu.
- Knockout Tour gives it a battle-royale feel — fall behind and you’re out!
- Free Roam lets you explore the world without worrying about rankings. Find secret medallions, hunt down Peach Medallions, and grab a snack at Yoshi’s Restaurant for cool outfits that boost your speed.
Multiplayer Madness
Playing with friends is more fun than ever. Whether it’s:
- Split-screen for four players
- Local wireless for up to eight players
- Online races with 24 racers around the world
You can race, battle, and explore together. Plus, Mario Kart World lets you roam with friends between races, take group photos in Photo Mode, and chat using the new GameChat system — with live video reactions if you’ve got a camera.
New Items and Classic Chaos
Of course, it wouldn’t be Mario Kart without crazy items, and this game brings the fun:
- Newbies: The Coin Shell leaves a trail of coins, the Ice Flower freezes rival solid, and the Kamek Spell turns racers into unexpected things.
- Old favorites: Bullet Bill, Mega Mushroom, Feather, and more come back for more chaos.
Supporting options like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls, and Auto-Accelerate make sure players of all skill levels can jump in and have a blast.
With its open-world design, bigger character lineup, new tricks, and multiplayer upgrades, Mario Kart World looks like it’s going to be a must-have for
Nintendo Switch 2 fans. Whether you’re hunting for secret medallions in Free Roam or battling for first in a 24-player Grand Prix, there’s something here for everyone.
The countdown to June 5, 2025, is on — get ready to start your engines!
