Mario Kart World – everything you need to know now that it's out

Mario Kart World has now been released for Nintendo Switch 2. In our Mario Kart World review, we praise the new kart racer for pushing the franchise forward, with a vibrant new art style and seamless racing between tracks across a large map being real highlights.

Following its reveal, Mario Kart World was easily one of the most highly anticipated upcoming games for 2025. Now that it's out, we've confidently placed it high on our best Nintendo Switch 2 games list. After a couple of years of updates, maybe it'll even dethrone its predecessor after many, many years at the top of sales charts? Rather big shoes to fill indeed.

Here's everything you need to know about Mario Kart World, including a look at Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay, as well as all of the latest news and trailers. To stay up to date post-launch, we've put together a Mario Kart World patch notes article. It'll receive all of the new details on changes to the game moving forward.

Mario Kart World: cut to the chase

• What is it? The next entry in the legendary Mario Kart series
• When did it come out? June 5, 2025 (OUT NOW)
• What can I play it on? Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusively)
• Who's making it? Nintendo

Mario Kart World release date and platforms

Mario Kart World launched on June 5, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2, alongside the main console.

This new Mario Kart is exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Mario Kart World trailers

The main trailer was revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025. This revealed the game's name and gave us our first look at the new 24-player races.

We'll likely hear even more about Mario Kart World in the coming months. To keep up to date with every trailer release for the game, be sure to check out the official Nintendo YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can stay up to date with all things Nintendo using the Nintendo Today app.

Mario Kart World gameplay

Mario Kart World gameplay was shown off during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event that aired on April 2, 2025. In it, we see that all tracks in the game lead into one another, in a large interconnected world map. This allows players to drive between tracks during Grand Prix. In addition, you can drive anywhere on a track, even outside of the guidelines. There's another mode called Knockout Tour, which takes you from one end of the world to the other. Speed towards checkpoints, as the players in last place are eliminated.

From what we've seen so far, Mario Kart World features a bunch of new mechanics. The first is the ability to grind, which is shown in the reveal trailer. Players can seemingly drive into larger vehicles and take them over as well. There are new items to play with too, like a burger seen in the aforementioned trailer. There's wall-riding, and an expanded flying mechanic as well. New tricks and items are now available too, with Charge Jump being handy for dodging items and other hazards.

Races can now contain 24 players, the largest in the series so far. This all pairs nicely with the new Free Roam mode that lets you and your friends drive around the map, completing challenges. New items include Coin Shell, which spawns a line of coins to collect. Hammer can be thrown at enemies in an arc. Mega Mushroom makes you grow massively in size, and Kamek casts spells that affect other players.

Mario Kart World characters

So far, the following characters are available for Mario Kart World:

• Baby Daisy
• Baby Luigi
• Baby Mario
• Baby Peach
• Baby Rosalina
• Birdo
• Bowser
• Bowser Jr.
• Cataquack (new)
• Chargin' Chuck
• Cheep Cheep (new)
• Coin Coffer (new)
• Conkdor (new)
• Cow (new)
• Daisy
• Dolphin (new)
• Donkey Kong
• Dry Bones
• Fish Bone (new)
• Goomba
• Hammer Bro.
• King Boo
• Koopa
• Lakitu
• Luigi
• Mario
• Monty Mole (new)
• Nabbit
• Para-Biddybud
• Pauline
• Peach
• Peepa (new)
• Penguin (new)
• Pianta (new)
• Piranha Plant (new)
• Pokey (new)
• Rocky Wrench (new)
• Rosalina
• Shy Guy
• Sidestepper (new)
• Snowman (new)
• Spike (new)
• Stingby (new)
• Swoop (new)
• Toad
• Toadette
• Waluigi
• Wario
• Wiggler
• Yoshi

Mario Kart World tracks

Here's the full list of tracks currently available in Mario Kart World:

• Acorn Heights
• Airship Fortress
• Boo Cinema
• Bowser's Castle
• Cheep Cheep Falls
• Choco Mountain
• Crown City
• Dandelion Depths
• Desert Hills
• Dino Dino Jungle
• DK Pass
• DK Spaceport
• Dry Bones Burnout
• Faraway Oasis
• Great '?' Block Ruins
• Koopa Troopa Beach
• Mario Bros. Circuit
• Mario Circuit
• Moo Moo Meadows
• Peach Beach
• Peach Stadium
• Rainbow Road
• Salty Salty Speedway
• Shy Guy Bazaar
• Sky-High Sundae
• Starview Peak
• Toad's Factory
• Wario Stadium
• Wario's Galleon
• Whistlestop Summit

Mario Kart World: FAQs

Is Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 only?

Yes, Mario Kart World is being developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. It will not be available on the previous console.

Does Mario Kart World have splitscreen?

Mario Kart World does indeed have splitscreen. You can also play online, though a Nintendo Online subscription is required.

Mario Kart World news

Nintendo confirms the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers have been 'designed from the ground up' and I couldn't be happier
Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 controllers have been redesigned, hopefully, to avoid potential stick drift.

During an exclusive hands-on preview of the Nintendo Switch 2, TechRadar Gaming asked Technology Development Division general manager Tetsuya Sasaki if any improvements have been made to prevent Joy-Con stick drift.

Sasaki responded, confirming that the new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers have been completely redesigned for smoother gameplay.

Mario Kart World has been revealed
Mario Kart World has now been officially revealed, and it's a launch title!

Mario Kart World teased
What we now know to be Mario Kart World was first teased during the first look at Nintendo Switch 2 event. We only saw a brief glimpse of gameplay, but it certainly got the internet talking.

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