Mario Kart World is set to speed onto the Switch 2 later this year, and it already promises to step things up a gear for Nintendo's long-running racing series. Following a brief teaser that appeared to show what we then referred to as Mario Kart 9, we at last got the official announcement for Mario Kart World as part of a slate of exciting Switch 2 Direct news during the recent April showcase.
The new open-world Mario Kart game is set to be one of the earliest upcoming Switch 2 games headed our way, and with a more extensive look at some of the modes, characters, vehicles, and more, in a lineup of Nintendo Treehouse livestreams and a new Mario Kart Direct showcase, we've gotten plenty of exciting details about the long-awaited follow-up to one of the best Switch games of all-time.
From what we've seen so far, it's certainly shaping up to be one of the biggest new games for 2025. For a full recap of all of the gameplay details, character list, and more, read on below as we take you through our overview of everything we know so far about Mario Kart World.
Mario Kart World release date
The Mario Kart World release date is June 5, 2025, and it will launch alongside the Switch 2.
This news came as part of the April 2 showcase, where we also found out that it will be a Switch 2 exclusive. We've known that Mario Kart was coming unofficially since January 16, when the Switch 2 reveal trailer showed off some footage of the upcoming game during its demonstration.
While it wasn't fully confirmed for months, fans were quick to point out that this was a new title in the series. So, it's nice to finally have a proper confirmation and release window from Nintendo after months of navigating speculation and rumors.
Is there a Mario Kart World trailer?
Our first look at Mario Kart 9 (aka Mario Kart World) came during the Switch 2 reveal trailer back in January(which you can check out for yourself above). In the teaser, we see a desert track, with drivers zooming past Yoshi's Gas Station.
We also recently got a deeper look at the new Mario Kart during the April Direct, which showed off even more tracks, new modes, and a fancy title - Mario Kart World. Watch the latest trailer for yourself down below!
Mario Kart World platforms
Mario Kart World is a Switch 2 exclusive. So that means you won't be able to play it on your old Switch.
One thing is for certain, as well, like with all Mario games, platforms will be strictly Nintendo-owned and operated. So, don't expect to play Mario Kart 9 on your Steam Deck or PS5 anytime soon.
Mario Kart World gameplay
The Mario Kart World gameplay reveal during the Nintendo 2 Direct gave us our first proper look at the new Mario Kart game in action, and it's set to go in an open-world direction. Instead of the usual track set-up we've seen in previous entries, the races take place in "various regions that span the globe", and will even feature different weather conditions and times of day, which changes up the atmosphere of the race you're speeding your way through.
Not only that, but you won't just be hitting the road either, with the ability to drive almost anywhere. Yes, that means we'll be racing off the track, too, and there's even an option to go for a casual drive with pals in a new Free Roam mode. This looks set to pair perfectly with the game's photo mode, which is another new feature that will be introduced in Mario Kart World - the trailer shows some drivers sidling up together to get in the camera frame for a screenshot.
The gameplay show also officially confirmed there will be 24 racers hitting the track, which is a series first, and there are a ton of fancy new features as well. For instance, a new "Charge Jump" move will let you jump onto rails, quickly avoid attacks, and let you chain wall drives in order to uncover secret routes on the course. You'll also be able to unlock outfits for your racers by finding food on different tracks.
The recent Nintendo Tree House live stream gave us a more in-depth look at a Grand Prix race in action, with some gameplay of the Mushroom Cup. As we got to see during the show, World lives up to its name by having your race between courses to reach the next track, which makes it feel much bigger in scope and keeps the flow of the race going. Each lap also appears to be broken up into sections as opposed to looping tracks.
In the past, vehicles were broken up into different parts we could choose from -such as selecting wheels and paragliders, but the Treehouse also confirmed that the vehicles in World will all be "fully formed".
Finally, voice chat is coming to Mario Kart World for all you Nintendo Switch Online Members. It will also be compatible with the new Switch 2 camera if you plan to watch your friends play or keep an eye on them online. Tilt Controls for motion control steering are also available for folks. There is also a Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessory up for sale, but that will cost you extra.
Mario Kart World tracks and courses
We finally got to see some Mario Kart World tracks in action during the recent Mario Kart Direct livestream, along with a closer look at the characters who will be getting behind the wheel of the upcoming entry in the long-running series.
New courses include: the highway desert road Mario Bros Circuit, the urban metropolis Crown City, a stunning city with Salty Salty Speedway, and the spooky Boo Cinema.
Retro tracks from past games have also been confirmed, such as Toad's Factory from Mario Kart Wii, Peach Beach from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, and Wario's Galleon from Mario Kart 7.
Mario Kart World characters
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showed off a wealth of Mario Kart World characters that we'll be able to play as. The big showcase also confirmed that there are 24 placements in each race, which is a series first; we've only typically seen 12 racers on the track in previous games. Each character will also have a selection of different outfits to choose from, so you can speed against others in style.
Here is a list of all the racers that we spotted during the Mario Kart World trailer in the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, with the new additions marked in bold:
- Mario
- Baby Mario
- Luigi
- Baby Luigi
- Princess Peach
- Baby Peach
- Princess Daisy
- Baby Daisy
- Yoshi
- Birdo
- Toad
- Toadette
- Koopa Troopa
- Dry Bones
- Bowser
- Baby Bowser
- Wario
- Waluigi
- Rosalina
- Baby Rosalina
- Donkey Kong
- Boo
- Piranha Plant
- Pauline
- Moo Moo Meadows cow
- Stingby
- Fish Bone
- Goomba
- Biddybud
- Spike
- Conkdor
- Snowman
- Pianta
- Nabbit
- Sidestepper
- Swoop
- Coin Coffer
- Dolphin
- Cataquack
- Cheep Cheep
- Pokey
- Penguin
- Peepa
- Monty Mole
- Wiggler
- Lakitu
- Hammer Bro
Mario Kart World modes
During the Mario Kart Direct livestream, we also got to take a look at some new Mario Kart World modes that look set to bring exploration and a new competitive challenge to the experience.
Like with all Mario Kart games, there is, of course, a Grand Prix mode. You'll race against drivers, and once you complete all circuits, Nintendo has also teased that potentially a "colorful new course" will unlock as well. Along with Grand Prix mode, time trials are back, along with Battle mode and VS races. In VS races, you can create up to four competing teams this time around, fully utilizing the stacked 24-racer roster in the game.
A big shiny new mode in Mario Kart World, though, is Free Roam. In this mode, we can, as the name gives away, freely roam through any of the tracks within a cup course. You can go in any direction you want, too, with the freedom to go off-road and casually drive around with friends around any part of the course. This presents you with the chance to not only explore but also try to learn each track and perhaps come up with new strategies to win.
Another new Mario Kart World mode is Knockout Tour, which is a "transcontinental rally" where 24 players have to try and avoid being knocked out and make it through each leg of the race - all the tracks are interconnected. Every checkpoint will have set parameters, so you have to be in a certain place in the race to qualify for the next part. Going from 20th or better, it breaks down to 16th or better, 12th or better, 8th or better, and 4th or better, before it's down to the last two racers who have to aim for first place to ultimately win.
We've also learned the names of the different possible courses you can race through in the Knockout mode, which are as follows: Golden Rally, Ice Rally, Moon Rally, Spiny Rally, Cheery Rally, Acorn Rally, Cloud Rally, and Heart Rally.
In Knockout Mode, Free Roam will also briefly act as a play lobby while you wait for players to join the session, with binocular stations dotted around the area that let you do some sightseeing in the interim. You'll also be able to send messages to other racers using the D-Pad on the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers.
Mario Kart World price
According to the official Nintendo website, the Mario Kart World price will clock in at a whopping $79.99 in the US. In the UK, the My Nintendo page also reveals that a digital edition of the game comes in at £66.99 while the physical version costs £74.99.
This makes Mario Kart World much more expensive than its predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with Switch 2 pre-order bundles combining with a copy of World coming in at $499.99.
For more on Nintendo, head over to our guide on the Switch 2 design and our list of the best Switch exclusives.
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