🌍 Welcome to Mario Kart World

This is the first Nintendo Direct to fully focus on a single title for the upcoming Switch 2—and it shows. We got a closer look at the world-hopping, free-roaming, chaos-embracing future of Mario Kart. From new courses to new mechanics, characters, and modes, this isn’t just a new entry. It’s a reimagining of what Mario Kart can be.

🏁 New & Returning Courses

The new courses are chef’s kiss. Here are a few that had us hyped:

• Mario Bros. Circuit – A classic city-style starter.

• Crown City – Think neon lights and high speed.

• Salty Salty Speedway – We're hungry already.

• Starview Peak – That skybox? Gorgeous.

• Boo Cinema – Dracula Waluigi lives in our nightmares (and we love it).

And yes, there’s room for fan favourites too: Toad’s Factory, Peach Beach, Koopa Troopa Beach, and Wario Shipyards are back—reworked and reloaded.

Even better? Courses shift between day and night in real-time. Let’s gooo.

🏎️ Characters (and Some Unexpected Ones)

Of course, the usual suspects are here:

• Mario

• Luigi

• Peach

• Bowser

• Yoshi

But we also got curveballs like:

• Goomba (how do they drive?!)

• Spike

• Lakitu

• A Cow (yes. Just… a cow.)

And hey, we’re not judging. Moo-ve over, Mario.

💥 Game Modes Galore

Grand Prix

Classic four-course cups are back—but now you physically drive between races. No fade-to-black, no menus, just open road. And yes, Rainbow Road is teased as a final unlock.

Knockout Tour

A brand-new elimination mode with names like Golden Rally and Spiny Rally, these 6-course slogs knock out the last four racers every checkpoint. It’s brutal. It’s brilliant.

VS Race & Time Trials

Race your friends in 24-player madness or chase ghosts in time trials. Yep, ghost data is downloadable.

Battle Mode

Yes! Balloon Battle and Coin Runners return. Grab your friends, inflate those egos.

Free Roam Mode

Bob-omb’s Battlefield in a kart racer? Count us in. Explore the world, trigger P-switch missions, discover secrets, and collect costume coins. This might just be the sleeper hit mode of the whole game.

🎯 Items & New Tricks

The new items are spicy:

• Coin Shell – Drop coins on the road for others to scramble after.

• Ice Flower – Freeze your foes mid-race.

• Hammer – Drop hazards like a mad Blacksmith.

• Kamek – Transform opponents into random things? Pure chaos.

Oh, and mechanics-wise:

• Charge Jump lets you prep a massive leap mid-drift.

• Wall Ride adds a Tony Hawk twist.

• Rewind lets you roll it back (but time doesn’t stop—so use it wisely).

🍟 Food = Fashion

Drive-throughs around the world serve up local snacks that unlock themed outfits. Grab ramen in Tokyo? Now you’re racing in a noodle-themed kart suit. It’s fun, it’s weird, and we’re here for it.

🧍‍♂️ Multiplayer – Split-Screen and Local Wireless

Four-player split-screen is in (with some possible frame drops—we’ll see). You can also link up to eight Switch 2 consoles locally with two players per system. Perfect for parties, tournaments, or couch chaos.

📸 Photo Mode, Missions & More

From Peach Medallions to mission-triggering P-switches, Free Roam isn't just a sandbox—it's a treasure hunt. Snap pics with special poses and frames to show off your favourite moments.

Final Lap

From everything shown, Mario Kart World isn’t just gearing up to be the biggest Mario Kart yet—it’s shaping up to be one of the boldest games Nintendo has ever released.

From the Free Roam to Rewind mechanics, food-themed costumes, and the sheer scale of its world, this Direct gave us a taste of what Switch 2 can really do—and it’s got us counting the days until June 5.

🗳️ Over to You!

What was your highlight? Are you Team Boo Cinema or all about that Knockout Tour grind? Join our DIscord: https://discord.gg/jUrcqU3tB9 and hit the poll below:

How would you rate the Mario Kart World Direct?
👍 Loved it!
😄 Solid showcase
😐 Meh
👎 Not my track

Let’s talk about it!