A few weeks after its grand unveiling at the Grand Palais in Paris, Mario Kart World was showcased again through a dedicated Nintendo Direct. The presentation lasted 16 minutes and provided insights into the open world, new mechanics, unseen items, the Grand Prix, various game modes, assistance features, and other details ahead of its release on June 5th for the Nintendo Switch 2. Notably, the focus was on the open world described by Nintendo as an ‘interconnected world’ where players can go anywhere—whether on roads, off-road, in the air, or even on water. The vast world includes various biomes such as cities, plains, deserts, and oceans, with races occurring both day and night under dynamic weather conditions.
Relaxation Mode: Beyond the competitive races of Mario Kart World, there is an expansive world to explore. To relax between intense competitions, players can enjoy a leisurely drive in Relaxation Mode. This mode allows exploration of picturesque landscapes, venturing off designated paths, visiting the ocean, finding hidden items, and completing hundreds of missions to hone driving skills outside of race conditions. Players also have the option to capture their journey with snapshots at any moment.
Survival Mode: Sprint across the world in designated marathon races. If you do not rank high enough, elimination follows. Therefore, prepare for a constant push as you must maintain your speed to remain in the race. Your competitors are not the only threats on the road; be cautious of vehicles launching Bill Balls, the antics of the Marto brothers, and other surprises that could disrupt the race. Stay ahead to keep advancing, with the goal of securing first place.
In the Grand Prix mode, participants engage in a series of four races and strive to achieve gold medals in various cups around the world, such as the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and others. For the first time in the series, the connecting tracks between each circuit are part of the competition as well. For example, in the Mushroom Cup, players start by racing on the Mario Bros Circuit and then immediately race on the route leading to Trophéopolis. Winning all Grand Prix races may unlock a colorful track.
Battle Mode returns more intense than ever in Mario Kart World. Players can use objects to pop their opponents’ balloons in “Balloon Battle” and aim to collect the most coins in “Coin Run.” This time, players who lose their balloons will be eliminated from the game.
New Techniques: Utilize a charged jump to navigate obstacles effectively. This technique can also be applied for sliding on rails, dodging attacks, or jumping toward a wall and briefly riding it. By chaining wall jumps, players can discover secret paths within the game. If an action is missed in Tourist mode or during a race, the Rewind feature allows for correction of course mistakes. However, players should exercise caution as opponents will continue racing normally while rewinding, which may lead to a decrease in rankings.
Mario Kart World features races with 24 drivers, setting a new series record. Players can invite friends to join them in the game world and compete against each other in Grand Prix and Survival modes to achieve victory in these 24-driver races.
Mario Kart World offers numerous opportunities to play with loved ones, whether locally or online. Up to four players can race on the same console using split-screen mode. Wireless local multiplayer is also available, supporting up to eight participants (with a maximum of two per Nintendo Switch) for shared enjoyment. Additionally, players from around the world can join races or battles online. In Touring mode, you have the option to reunite with friends anywhere within the game’s extensive world. You can stroll through the environment, locate friends quickly by checking the map, and then organize races or battles according to your preferences, or embark on an adventure together.
Enhance your online gaming experience with GameChat: extend it with GameChat*4. Utilize the built-in microphone of the Nintendo Switch 2 to chat while racing together or share screens to view everyone’s progress. Until March 31, 2026, the GameChat discovery offer allows you to try this feature for free. After that date, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription will be required.
If you have a Nintendo Switch 2 camera, you can display your face next to your character in the game and observe the reactions of your loved ones while playing online together. If you are playing on the same console, one camera can detect up to four faces and display them within the game.
In Mario Kart World, there are numerous circuits spread across its expansive global setting. Test your skills on new tracks such as the Mario Bros. Circuit, Trophéopolis Avenues, the snowy paths of Observatory Peak, and the eerie sessions at Boo Cinema, among others. Circuits from previous Mario Kart games also return in reimagined versions, offering fresh experiences that integrate into this new world.
Mario Kart World, unveiled at the Grand Palais in Paris, is set for release on June 5th on Nintendo Switch 2. The game features an interconnected world with various biomes, allowing for diverse racing conditions such as day/night cycles and weather changes. Key modes include:- Relaxation Mode: Explore scenic landscapes, complete missions, and capture snapshots.- Survival Mode: High-stakes marathon races where elimination awaits those who fall behind.- Grand Prix: A series of four races across various cups, with tracks connecting circuits also part of the competition.- Battle Mode: Returns with intensified balloon bursts and coin collection challenges.New techniques like charged jumps for obstacle clearing and wall chain jumps for secret paths add strategic depth. Up to 24 drivers can participate in Grand Prix and Survival modes, and local or online multiplayer supports up to eight players. GameChat allows voice chat during races with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription (free until March 31, 2026). For those with a Nintendo Switch 2 camera, real-time facial overlays can be used, displaying up to four faces in split-screen mode.The game introduces numerous new tracks such as Mario Bros Circuit, Trophéopolis Avenues, Observatory Peak, and Boo Cinema, alongside reimagined circuits from previous Mario Kart games for a fresh experience within this expansive global world.
Items: Get a head start with a selection of both familiar and new items. The Mushroom can stop your opponents and leaves behind coins that gradually speed up the vehicle of anyone who collects them. With the Ice Flower, freeze your opponents (and make them turn their heads). Throw hammers to nail opponents in place or block their path. Become giant with the Mega Mushroom and squash your opponents. Use the Acrobatic Feather to jump into the air. Call upon Kamek’s magic to transform opponents in surprising ways and sow chaos in the race. The lower you are in the rankings, the more chance you have of picking up certain items. If you get something that could be useful, make use of it!
Visit the drive-in: make a stop at Yoshi’s drive-in to pick up a turbo snack. The snacks you receive provide a speed boost and sometimes unlock outfits that can be found on the character selection screen. Do not hesitate to visit the drive-in to discover the full range of dishes and outfits available in Mario Kart World.
More game modes: Whether it is racing or battling, Mario Kart World offers even more ways to enjoy the game in good spirits. Challenge the clock in Time Trial mode and join online to race against ghosts of pilots from around the world. You can also play by your own rules in Course VS mode and decide to play in teams of two, three, or four, following classic rules, either doing three laps on the same circuit or racing across multiple circuits.
Assistance features: Need a helping hand? You can activate or deactivate assistance features at will, such as assisted driving to help avoid off-road excursions, auto-acceleration, or motion sensors that allow you to play by tilting a Joy-Con. Additionally, if you have a Joy-Con steering wheel (sold separately in sets of two), you can race as if you are on the circuit yourself!
