This time, you’re not just selecting a cup and picking a track. You’re driving across cities, deserts, oceans, and even straight through restaurant drive-thrus as part of a continuous world. From new gameplay mechanics like Charge Jump and Rewind, to 24-player Grand Prix and Knockout Tour races, Mario Kart World looks ready to shake things up.
Whether you’re exploring in Free Roam, racing in a full Grand Prix, or just curious to see if “Cow” really is a playable character (spoiler: yes), here’s everything revealed in the Mario Kart World Direct.
An Open World of Racing
For the first time in the series, Mario Kart World introduces a fully interconnected world. Instead of jumping between disconnected tracks, you’ll now drive from one course to the next. Roads, highways, and shortcuts link every region together—from city streets to snowy mountains to wide open oceans.
This seamless layout also changes how races flow. In Grand Prix mode, you’ll actually need to drive between courses within the same cup. One example shown in the Direct had racers finishing Mario Bros. Circuit, then continuing straight on to Crown City as part of the same cup progression.
If you’re not in the mood to compete, Mario Kart World also includes a Free Roam mode. You can take in the sights, discover hidden coins, trigger P Switch missions, and snap photos using the in-game camera. Some P Switches will activate short objectives that help improve your driving skills, with hundreds of missions available across the world. During Free Roam or online sessions, you can also strike poses, decorate your photos with themed frames, and capture moments with friends. It’s a break from the usual lap-focused chaos, offering a more relaxed way to explore the world and sharpen your abilities.
The new world design brings variety, surprises, and a stronger sense of place to the experience. Whether you’re drifting through a canyon or riding along a coastal path, everything is part of a connected space that makes this feel like something entirely new for Mario Kart.
Modes for Every Racer
Mario Kart World isn’t just adding new locations—it’s also introducing new ways to race. At launch, you’ll have access to several core modes, including Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, Free Roam, and the return of Battle Mode.
In Grand Prix, traditional four-race cups are back, but with a twist: you’ll actually drive between courses. This changes how each cup flows, making the experience feel more connected. Mushroom Cup, for instance, might start at Mario Bros. Circuit and lead you straight into Crown City without any menu in between.
Knockout Tour is a new competitive mode that spans the entire map. Racers compete in extended rallies with checkpoints across the world. Fail to reach the next checkpoint in time, and you’re out. Hazards like Bullet Bill-equipped vehicles and Hammer Bros. pop up along the way, turning each leg of the race into a challenge of endurance and awareness.
Battle Mode also makes a return, with Balloon Battle and Coin Runners both confirmed. You’ll burst rival balloons with items or try to grab the most coins before the timer runs out. In Balloon Battle, if you pop all of a rival’s balloons, they’ll be eliminated from the match, adding more pressure to every encounter.
Even beyond these, Time Trials and VS Race round out the lineup. In VS Race, you can customize the experience with two, three, or four teams, and choose between classic three-lap rules or multi-course routes that carry you from one track to the next.
New Gameplay Mechanics and Customization
Mario Kart World introduces a set of new gameplay mechanics that shake up how you move through races. Charge Jump lets you leap over obstacles, grind rails, and launch into wall rides. You can chain wall rides together to discover alternate routes or avoid incoming attacks.
If you make a mistake mid-race, the new Rewind option lets you reset your vehicle’s position. It’s a handy tool for recovering from a wrong turn or missed jump—just don’t expect the rest of the race to pause. Rivals will keep moving while you rewind, so there’s a real tradeoff involved.
Customization is also getting a boost. The Dash Food system ties in-game meals to unlockable outfits. Grab a to-go order from Yoshi’s and you might unlock a matching outfit to equip later. Eat sushi, for example, and you could end up with an outfit themed to your meal. Each dish offers a different look, giving you more ways to personalize your racer.
The game also features CameraPlay if you own the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera. This lets your face show up next to your racer online, or even detect up to four players locally using one camera. Add in GameChat support with built-in mic access and there’s a lot more personality and connection this time around.
New Characters, Tracks, and Items
Mario Kart World brings back familiar faces while also expanding the roster in unexpected ways. You’ll be able to race as core characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser—but you’ll also find newcomers like Goomba, Spike, and yes, even Cow.
Each character comes with multiple outfit options, which you can unlock through gameplay or by using the new Dash Food system. Outfits can be selected from the character menu, letting you tweak your look between races. Characters and vehicles each have their own stats, so finding the right combination can make a difference during races.
Track selection is also expanding. New courses shown in the Direct include Mario Bros. Circuit, the neon-lit Crown City, the snowy Starview Peak, and the haunted Boo Cinema. These tracks are seamlessly connected within the open world, and older courses from past Mario Kart games have also been updated to match the new design. Returning favourites like Toad’s Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard are also included, now reimagined to fit the world’s structure.
Item variety is getting a boost too. New additions include:
- Coin Shell – knocks rivals off course and spawns coins that increase speed.
- Ice Flower – freezes racers on impact.
- Hammer – slams into rivals or blocks paths.
- Mega Mushroom – makes your racer grow and flatten others.
- Feather – returns as a jumping tool.
- Kamek’s Magic – causes random transformations and chaos on the course.
The lower your position, the more likely you’ll get powerful items—so even if you’re trailing behind, there’s always a chance to turn things around.
Multiplayer and Online Details
Mario Kart World supports a wide range of multiplayer options, both locally and online. You can race with up to four people in split-screen on a single system, or link up to eight players locally using two Switch 2 consoles. Online, up to 24 racers can compete in Grand Prix or Knockout Tour events—the largest lobbies in the series so far.
Free Roam mode also supports multiplayer. You can drive around with friends, see their locations on the map, and warp directly to them. From there, you can choose to race, battle, or just explore together.
GameChat adds more ways to stay connected during online sessions. You can voice chat with friends using the Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in microphone, and even watch each other’s screens.
CameraPlay works with the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and adds a more personal touch to online races. When enabled, it shows your face beside your racer during online play. It can even detect up to four players on one system for local multiplayer, adding a bit of personality to couch co-op sessions.
Roadside Assistance and Accessibility Options
Mario Kart World includes several assist options for those who want a different way to play. Smart Steering can help you stay on track. Auto-Accelerate removes the need to hold the gas. Tilt Controls are also available for motion-based steering.
The Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessory is supported as well. All settings can be toggled on or off at any time.
A New Era for Mario Kart
Mario Kart World is shaping up to be more than just a next-gen sequel—it’s a reimagining of what the series can be. From its open world layout and 24-player races to new features like Rewind, Dash Food, and Free Roam, this feels like the boldest shift for the franchise in years.
What stands out most is how every part of the game ties together. You’re not just jumping into a track anymore—you’re living in a continuous world where exploration, competition, and customization all connect. Whether you’re chasing a gold trophy, experimenting with new gameplay mechanics, or just coasting through a mountain pass with friends, everything is built to flow from one mode to the next without breaking momentum.
Watching the Direct, I found myself smiling at the amazing amount of detail packed in—especially the Dash Food outfits and the addition of Cow as a playable racer. It reminded me of when I first played Mario Kart on the SNES and thought, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” That feeling’s back.
With its June 5 launch on Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World looks set to kick off Nintendo’s next generation with its biggest feature set yet. We’ll be covering it every step of the way.
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