Get ready, Nintendo fans! After years of wild rumours and speculation, the wait is finally drawing to a close. The Nintendo Switch 2 is on the horizon, and what better way to kick off a new generation of gaming than with a brand new installment of Nintendo’s beloved racing franchise?
That’s right, Mario Kart World is Nintendo’s launch title for their highly anticipated upcoming handheld hybrid, set to arrive on June 5, 2025. This game could redefine what a Mario Kart title can be, introducing expansive new features and a massive roster to welcome players to the new hardware.
Below, we’ll talk about Mario Kart World’s unique features as well as provide some information on Nintendo’s upcoming console.
Here’s why Mario Kart World is Nintendo’s launch title
The game introduces a revolutionary interconnected world map, moving away from the traditional menu-based course selection. In other words, players will drive seamlessly from one course to the next, creating a much more immersive and continuous experience.
This open structure incorporates a blend of entirely new tracks and reimagined versions of classic courses from across the series’ history.
Familiar names like Peach Beach and Wario Shipyard are back, updated to feel at home within this vast new environment, promising fresh challenges on nostalgic layouts. Other courses mentioned include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, and Toad’s Factory.
Mario Kart World’s wide roster
One of the most striking revelations is the sheer scale of the character roster and races. Mario Kart World is set to support up to 24 racers on the track simultaneously, a big jump that demands a huge pool of drivers.
The revealed character list is extensive, featuring mainstays like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, alongside a deep dive into the wider Mario universe, bringing in characters such as Nabbit, Piranha Plant, Hammer Bro, Monty Mole, Dry Bones, and even lesser-seen faces like Pianta and Sidestepper.
Driving with this massive cast will involve new techniques, like the “Charge Jump,” which can be used defensively to dodge attacks, offensively to reach higher ground or grind rails, or even briefly drive up walls.
A particularly neat addition is the “Rewind” feature, allowing players to momentarily turn back time to correct mistakes or explore different paths – though rivals continue their progress, adding a strategic layer to its use.
There will be two primary competitive modes: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour
A familiar name to Mario Kart enjoyers, the Grand Prix returns as the premier circuit-based competition where players race through multiple courses to win cups. In Mario Kart World, this is integrated into the open map, requiring players to drive between cup locations.
Conquering all standard cups may unlock a challenging “colorful course,” heavily suggested to be a new iteration of Rainbow Road, complete with dangerous obstacles like Bullet Bill-firing cars and Hammer Bros.
The new Knockout Tour mode introduces a battle-royale inspired concept: players race across the map, needing to reach designated checkpoints within a time limit or be eliminated. The last racer standing after a series of these rallies (such as the Golden Rally or Ice Rally) is the winner.
Beyond competitive racing, Mario Kart World features a dedicated Free Roam mode. This allows players to simply explore the vast in-game universe at their leisure, free from the pressure of competition.
The world in Mario Kart World invites exploration
As players will easily see, the world is filled with interactive elements. Players will discover P Switches, numbering in the hundreds, that activate timed challenges to collect blue coins and start missions designed to hone driving skills.
Other hidden collectibles, like Peach Medallions and hidden panels, are scattered throughout the environment. A persistent Photo Mode lets players capture scenic views or memorable moments anytime. A quirky detail mentioned is Yoshi’s restaurant, where players can acquire “Dash Food” for temporary speed boosts, each type of food offering a different themed outfit.
Mario Kart World’s multiplayer features
Multiplayer is, of course, a staple of Mario Kart, and World offers robust options. Up to four players can race on a single system, local wireless supports up to eight players using two consoles, and online play accommodates up to a staggering 24 competitors.
For this iteration of the game, Nintendo added the ability for friends to join each other in Free Roam mode between races, seeing their friends’ locations on the map and fast traveling to them. This allows for easy meetups for impromptu custom races, battles, or just shared exploration.
An integrated game chat includes voice communication and even video for those with compatible cameras, with multi-face detection for local multiplayer sessions on a single console.
Additional features
Time Trials are making a return, allowing players to race for the fastest times and compete against online ghost data. VS Mode offers deep customization for local or online races, including options for team-based competitions. Battle Mode is also back, featuring classic types like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.
The game will also feature a mix of returning and new items to shake up the races. Familiar faces like the Bullet Bill and Lightning will make appearances.
New items include the Coin Shell, which can disrupt rivals and leave a trail of coins; the Ice Flower to freeze opponents; Hammers for attacking or blocking paths; the Mega Mushroom to grow to massive size; a Feather for a defensive jump; and even a Kamek item that transforms rivals in mysterious ways.
Hooray! Like there weren’t enough friendship-ruining power-ups already.
Finally, to ensure the game is accessible to all skill levels, several support features are included. These optional aids consist of smart steering, tilt controls (with Joy-Con 2 wheel compatibility mentioned), auto-use item, auto-accelerate, and adjustable camera angles for both vertical and horizontal views.
What to expect from the Switch 2
Following the exciting details about Mario Kart World, we now have the picture of the hardware it will run on. Visually, there’s a big jump: it features a larger 7.9-inch capacitive touch screen with a sharp 1920×1080 resolution in handheld mode, supporting a wide color gamut, HDR10, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) up to 120 Hz.
When docked, it can output up to 4K resolution at 60fps, or higher frame rates like 120fps at 1080p or 1440p. Powering this is a custom NVIDIA processor, indicating a notable increase in performance over the original.
Storage sees a big bump to 256GB internally, using faster UFS technology, and it supports the even faster microSD Express cards for expansion. Connectivity is updated with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and a wired LAN port on the dock for stable online play.
The console includes dual USB-C ports for flexibility, an improved microphone with noise cancellation for chat, and stereo speakers with an independent enclosure for better sound. Notably, it includes a slot compatible with both Nintendo Switch 2 and original Nintendo Switch game cards, ensuring backwards compatibility for physical games.
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers also feature enhanced HD Rumble 2, motion sensors, and an interesting “mouse sensor.” All these features point to a system designed for higher fidelity, smoother gameplay, and an overall better user experience.
Closing thoughts
Bringing Mario Kart World to the Nintendo Switch 2 on day one sounds like a truly memorable experience, promising to deliver countless hours of fun for gamers. Yes, the $80 price tag era is certainly a “big yikes!” moment for many, marking a step up from the long-standing $60 standard.
Despite that, the game’s sheer scope combined with the capabilities of the new Nintendo Switch 2 console itself promises thousands upon thousands of hours of gameplay and discovery for players worldwide.
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