We’ve already had a good look at Mario Kart World through the original Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and from Day 1 and Day 2 of the Nitnendo Treehouse Live streams. From local split-screen in Knockout Tour mode to food-based costume unlocks and rail-grinding mid-race. The game is shaping up to be more than just a sequel—it’s a full reimagining of what Mario Kart can be.
But Nintendo’s clearly not done showing it off. With the Direct just days away, now’s a good time to recap what we’ve learned so far. And, what we’re hoping to see next.
What We’ve Seen So Far
Mario Kart World has already made several appearances since its reveal. The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct gave us our first trailer, showing off the new open-world layout, expanded racer roster, and updated visuals. Then came the Nintendo Treehouse: Live presentations, which offered deeper dives into specific features.
From those streams, we learned about the Knockout Tour mode—a 24-player elimination format where racers must qualify each round to survive. It’s fast, competitive, and now confirmed to support local split-screen multiplayer, as shown on Day 2. You and a friend can team up on the same system and race as a unit, where both of you must qualify together to stay in the game.
We also saw how food-based costumes tie into gameplay. Characters can pick up food items mid-race that trigger outfit changes—some purely visual, others possibly linked to bonuses. Rail grinding, aerial tricks, and overworld fast travel between races were all on display, showing how Mario Kart World blurs the line between racer and adventure.
Day 1 also introduced the new race HUD, weather effects, updated item displays, and a small crown that floats over the leader’s head. Even in early footage, load times were quick, and the framerate looked stable—even in hectic Knockout Tour matches.
We also learned that Mario Kart World will launch at $79.99 USD, making it one of Nintendo’s most expensive first-party game to date. The higher price point sparked some debate online, with many fans questioning whether the new features and modes justify the increase.
With all that already out in the open, the big question now is: what’s left to reveal?
What We’re Hoping to See and Learn in the Mario Kart World Direct
While we’ve already seen plenty of Mario Kart World in action, there’s still a lot Nintendo hasn’t shown. The Free Roam mode, for example, was talked about during the Nintendo Direct and Treehouse streams—but the full extent of what you can do in it is still a mystery. Can you unlock secrets? Are there collectibles tied to specific characters? How do multiplayer photo ops and exploration work? These are questions many fans, including myself, are hoping the Mario Kart World Direct will answer.
The same goes for character customization. We’ve seen costume changes triggered by food pickups, but we still don’t know how many outfits exist or if they change gameplay. Some previews mentioned glowing bags, stat boosts, and even hints at gear rarity, but nothing’s been officially confirmed.
We’re also expecting a closer look at the item system. Pre-release footage has shown at least 28 different items, including returning classics and new power-ups. A full rundown of item effects—and how they fit into the larger open-world structure—could easily be part of this Direct.
Then there’s the course list. Nintendo has teased new and returning tracks, including ones adapted to support the new open format. Fans have spotted icons for possible remixed classic tracks, but it’s still unclear how they’ll be accessed. Are they locked behind progress in Free Roam? Do you find them organically, or select them from a map?
With Mario Kart World set to launch alongside Switch 2, there’s a good chance we’ll also get confirmation on DLC plans or post-launch content. Will all DLC and post-launch content come free as part of the $79.99 USD price tag? Nintendo previously supported Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with a massive Booster Course Pack—so it’s not far-fetched to expect a roadmap here too.
How to Watch the Mario Kart World Direct
The Mario Kart World Direct airs this Thursday, April 17. And, it will be livestreamed on Nintendo’s official YouTube and Twitch channels and you can watch it in the Nintendo Today! app. Here’s when it goes live in major time zones:
- 6:00 AM PDT
- 9:00 AM EDT
- 2:00 PM BST
- 3:00 PM CEST
- 10:00 PM JST
- 11:00 PM AEST
- 9:00 PM AWST
Nintendo has announced that the presentation will last approximatley 15 minutes.
Expect a more focused look at everything Mario Kart World has to offer—from its open-world design to gameplay systems, customization, and (hopefully) post-launch plans. If you’ve been curious about the game’s deeper structure or wondering how it compares to past Mario Kart entries, this is the one to watch.
What are you hoping to see in the Mario Kart World Direct? New characters? Expanded Free Roam details? Let us know in the comments! We’ll have a full breakdown of everything revealed in the Mario Kart World Direct right after the event, so be sure to check back.
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