Mario Kart World Direct: Switch 2 Launch Title Announcements

Nintendo recently unveiled a treasure trove of information about the eagerly awaited launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, *Mario Kart World*, in their latest Mario Kart World Direct. This exciting reveal provided fans with a detailed look at new characters, courses, races, and hidden secrets, keeping anticipation high as we count down to the game's release on June 5, 2025, alongside the new console.

This comprehensive roundup aims to keep you in the loop with all the latest on *Mario Kart World*. We hope it helps ease the wait until launch day!

*Mario Kart World* promises an expansive array of tracks, both new and reimagined classics, interconnected in a sprawling map. The Direct showcased a few of these courses, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Notably, the older tracks have been revamped to seamlessly integrate into the game's new world, offering fans a fresh take on beloved classics.

Characters and New Techniques

With the capacity for up to 24 racers in a single race, *Mario Kart World* boasts a diverse roster to ensure varied gameplay. The Direct highlighted characters such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and an array of others, including lesser-seen favorites like Rocky Wrench and Cataquack. New driving techniques add excitement, with the Charge Jump allowing players to dodge attacks, reach higher places, grind on rails, and even ride walls temporarily. Additionally, the Rewind feature lets players retry sections to navigate hidden paths or perfect turns, though it's crucial to use it wisely as rivals continue to race normally.

Mario Kart World Screenshots

View 120 ImagesRaces - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

*Mario Kart World* offers two primary racing modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. In Grand Prix, players will compete in a series of races across various cups like the Mushroom Cup and Flower Cup, with seamless transitions between courses thanks to the game's open-world structure. Completing all cups might unlock the iconic Rainbow Road, featuring new challenges like bullet bill-shooting cars and Hammer Bros. throwing hammers. Meanwhile, Knockout Tour introduces a battle-royale-style race where players must reach checkpoints on time to avoid elimination, culminating in thrilling finales like the Golden Rally and Ice Rally.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

The Free Roam mode in *Mario Kart World* allows players to explore the map without the pressure of racing. Discover hundreds of P Switches to activate blue coins and initiate missions that enhance your driving skills. Hidden treasures like Peach Medallions and secret panels await eager explorers, and the photo mode lets you capture your adventures. Visiting Yoshi's restaurant adds another layer of fun, as players can grab "Dash Food" for speed boosts and themed outfits inspired by dishes like cheeseburgers, sushi, and ice cream.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Enjoying *Mario Kart World* with friends enhances the experience, and Nintendo offers multiple play options. You can race with up to four players on a single system, engage in local wireless play with up to eight players across two systems, or join up to 24 players worldwide in Online Play. Between races, friends can explore the map together, using fast travel to join each other for battles, races with custom rules, or simply to roam and take photos. GameChat integrates seamlessly, allowing voice communication and live video reactions for those with compatible cameras, enhancing the social aspect of the game.

Beyond the main racing modes, *Mario Kart World* includes Time Trials with an online component to race against global ghost data. VS Mode offers extensive customization, allowing up to four teams to compete. Battle Mode returns with classics like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle, ensuring diverse gameplay options for all players.

Items

While familiar items like Bullet Bill and Lightning return, *Mario Kart World* introduces fresh additions to keep races unpredictable. The Coin Shell knocks rivals off course and leaves a trail of coins, while the Ice Flower freezes enemies, Hammers block and attack, the Mega Mushroom grows players to giant sizes, the Feather aids in jumping, and the Kamek item transforms players into mysterious forms.

Support Features

To cater to players of all skill levels, *Mario Kart World* includes support features like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (compatible with Joy-Con 2 wheel), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and customizable camera settings. These options ensure everyone can enjoy the game at their own pace.

For more insights, don't miss our hands-on preview of *Mario Kart World*, details on its $80 price tag justification, and our exclusive interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen about the Nintendo Switch 2. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the launch date!