The recently concluded Mario Kart World Direct has unveiled an array of exciting features for the upcoming kart-racing title in the Mario Kart series. Dive into the details about the game's expansive free-roam world and its innovative gameplay elements.
An Interconnected World
On April 17, Nintendo hosted the Mario Kart World Direct, where they introduced the game's vast and interconnected world. Players can now drive freely through Mario Kart World, exploring both familiar regions and new territories within the series.
Nintendo described, "In Mario Kart World, the game's courses are seamlessly integrated across the world, connected by roads that lead from one course to another, allowing players to experience driving through scenic routes between races!"
Explore the world of Mario like never before, with breathtaking landscapes and iconic landmarks scattered throughout. Hidden items and missions await as players roam, enhancing their driving skills beyond the traditional races.
The game introduces a mix of new and classic courses, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. These classic courses have been thoughtfully reimagined to blend seamlessly into the new Mario Kart World experience.
Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
Mario Kart World offers two primary racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, both supporting up to 24 racers, marking the highest number in the series' history. Racers must navigate through various obstacles, such as cars launching Bullet Bills and attacks from Hammer Bros.
In the Grand Prix, players compete in four consecutive races to win cups like the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, and Star Cup. A unique twist requires players to travel between races, culminating in a speculated "colorful course," possibly the iconic Rainbow Road, upon completing all Grand Prix Cups.
The newly introduced Knockout Tour takes players on an epic journey across the world. This survival-style race demands that players finish in a qualifying position to advance to the next race; otherwise, they are eliminated from the tour.
Items, Characters, and More
Mario Kart World introduces a fresh arsenal of items alongside returning favorites. New items include the Coin Shell, which can knock opponents aside while leaving a trail of coins, the Ice Flower, which freezes racers on contact, and the Big Mushroom, which temporarily enlarges players to squash opponents.
The roster features classic Mushroom Kingdom characters such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, joined by newcomers like Goomba, Spike, and even Cow. Players can discover alternate costumes for these characters scattered throughout the world, adding to the game's depth and replayability.
Playing With Friends
The game offers a variety of engaging multiplayer modes. Time Trials let players compete against ghost data from other racers worldwide. VS mode allows for extensive customization, enabling players to form teams and compete against each other. Battle mode returns with Coin Runners, where players vie to collect the most coins, and Balloon Battle, where the last racer with a balloon wins.
Mario Kart World supports both local and online multiplayer. Up to four players can race in split-screen mode on a single system, while local wireless play accommodates up to eight players (two per Switch 2 device). The new GameChat feature on the Switch 2 enhances communication by allowing players to chat and view each other's screens during races.
Additional gameplay options include Smart Steering to keep players on track, Auto-accelerate for automatic forward movement, Tilt controls for a more immersive experience, and support for the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel, enhancing the overall racing experience.
Mario Kart World is set to revolutionize the kart-racing genre with its expansive, freely explorable world. The game is slated for release on June 5, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our dedicated article below!
