It's happening as fast as a 200cc race! Since the detailed presentation of the Switch 2, the Japanese manufacturer has been accumulating speeches and visual demonstrations, and it's far from over. We've just attended a new Nintendo Direct, this time dedicated to Mario Kart World. The successor to one of the best-selling games in the world has been revealed in more detail, finally highlighting its exclusive new features before its release on June 5, 2025.
Even more circuits in the Mario Kart World Grand Prix
The race will resume very soon for Mario Kart competitors! This time, take part in races bringing together 24 drivers, the largest number ever in the franchise. All together, you can participate in the different Grand Prixs of this new installment. Among them, we will find most of those from the previous installments, revisited for the occasion. But new races will obviously be part of the game, like these:
- Mario Bros. Track
- Trophéopolis
- Salt City
- Observatory Peak
- Boo Cinema
- Toad Factory
- Peach Beach
- Wario's Galleon
The Nintendo Direct also teases a particularly anticipated circuit: the Rainbow Road. However, it doesn't show us too much right away, preferring to keep it a surprise. We're already wondering how we'll be able to reach it, since we'll now have to reach the tracks ourselves between two races. This is part of Mario Kart World's open-world dynamic.
A shower of new characters for Mario Kart World
We can't talk about Mario Kart without mentioning its roster. The Nintendo Direct makes sure to point out that the most iconic characters in the universe, Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Yoshi, will be back! But they won't be the only ones. New characters will be hitting the track, like a Goomba, Spike, and a Moo Moo Prairie Cow. And those are just the names mentioned during the conference. The images also show other Yoshis, a crab, and even a penguin. And we have no doubt that surprises will be in store.
However, the conference didn't detail another new aspect of this Mario Kart World: the skins. In fact, our characters will be able to wear a whole bunch of different costumes, further personalizing the experience while sometimes presenting themselves as very cool Easter eggs, like the vampire outfit for Wario.
Finally, even if the Nintendo Direct didn't dwell on it either, it has the opportunity to parade a ton of new vehicles. In addition to karts, cars of all kinds, gliders will be back. They should also be more used to fly from one area to another in the game. Finally, we will note the introduction of a big new feature: vehicles allowing you to glide on water. Racing is about to take on a new dimension!
Even Deeper Gameplay in Mario Kart World
Be careful though, because the competition is about to get even tougher! Mario Kart World truly aims to bring a breath of fresh air to the franchise with new mechanics. As we mentioned, the charged jump will be there to get a little boost, for example. To take on your opponents more directly, use the dodge to run into them! You can also play it smart by performing a grind, in order to slide over specific areas of the scenery. Finally, if you mess up, there's an option to rewind slightly to get going again.
In addition to these new techniques on Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World will provide you with new items. Six have been mentioned here. Some will allow you to go faster, like the Coin Shell or the Acrobat Feather. Others will be perfect for putting a spanner in the works of your rivals, like the Ice Flower, the Hammer (a very nice nod to the first Mario games), the Mega Mushroom, or even the summoning of Kamek. At the same time, some old items have confirmed their return, like Bill Ball and the lightning bolt. It is unclear, however, whether some of them will disappear in this installment.
Mario Kart World will also feature modes well-known to fans of the franchise, such as the Time Trial, now playable with up to 4 teams. Battles are also part of the game, so get ready to collect as many coins or balloons as possible!
One of the most interesting new features of Mario Kart World, however, could be completely new. We are thinking here of the "Ride", presented in more detail in this Nintendo Direct. As announced, we will be able to freely navigate the map with the vehicles and characters of our choice. The game also includes a photo mode allowing you to capture your memories in your own way.
But, if you are more of a competitive type, then it is the other major flagship mode of Mario Kart World that could appeal to you. This is the "Survival" mode which offers you Battle Royale-style races. So be the fastest to pass the checkpoints on the track, otherwise you will be eliminated along the way. In the end, there can only be one left, so go for it!
Everything for the comfort of the game, solo or in multiplayer
Like the most recent installments, Mario Kart World will allow you to adapt your driving comfort. Thus, you will have the choice of playing with or without the barriers, these preventing you from going off the track. Likewise, you can opt for a traditional game with the controller or for the use of the gyroscope. The steering wheels compatible with the Joy-Con will also be back for greater immersion.
But we all know, a Mario Kart game is best enjoyed with several people. Therefore, local multiplayer is back. On a single console, you can get together with up to 4 people in split screen. Moreover, the new favorite accessory of the Nintendo Switch 2, the famous camera, will be useful for recognizing the faces of the players in this layout. On the other hand, if everyone has their own console, then you can connect them together for up to 8 players in total.
Mario Kart World, the most complete game in the license
It's clear and simple: Mario Kart World will be THE flagship game at the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, on June 5, 2025. With all its new features, it is already shaping up to be the richest opus in the entire license since its launch. If the 8th episode kept you busy for a good while, even more so with its latest DLC, we expect the next one to last even longer.
Like its predecessor, Mario Kart World will also be entitled to its console pack upon release. So, you can pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 with the game pre-installed on it. Alternatively, you can opt for the game separately, at a recommended price of €80 digitally versus €90 in physical format.
Source: Nintendo France.
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