Start your engines — Nintendo has just dropped a turbo-charged info bomb with the Mario Kart World Direct, revealing everything we need to know about the most ambitious installment in the franchise’s history. Mario Kart World is racing onto the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch on June 5, 2025, and it’s unlike anything the series has seen before.
An Interconnected World is Your New Racetrack
For the first time ever, Mario Kart goes open world — not just open course. Instead of simply selecting isolated tracks, Mario Kart World is built around an interconnected environment where courses are connected by roads, deserts, oceans, and cities. You can drive from one region to another, with weather, terrain, and even time of day changing dynamically around you.
In Grand Prix mode, this world integration becomes part of the challenge. Imagine racing through Mario Bros. Circuit, then physically driving from there to Crown City for the next leg. No warp screens — just roads and rival racers between you and the next cup.
More Players, More Modes, More Mayhem
The series staples are back and bigger than ever — but with massive upgrades. Up to 24 players can now join races, whether in Grand Prix, the new Knockout Tour mode, or Battle Mode.
- Knockout Tour is a high-stakes, multi-checkpoint race where failing to reach the next checkpoint means elimination. Think Mario Kart meets battle royale.
- Free Roam lets you and friends cruise the open world, discover hidden coins, take on missions via P Switches, snap photos, and just vibe.
- Battle Mode returns with Balloon Battle and Coin Runners, now with more chaos and carnage than ever.
And yes, Time Trials and VS Race return as well, with new twists like real-time ghost data and rule customization, including team-based setups and track-to-track sprints.
New Tech: Charge Jumps, Rewinds, Wall-Riding, and More
Mario Kart World introduces a slew of slick new mechanics:
- Charge Jump lets racers leap over obstacles, grind rails, or even ride along walls for secret shortcuts.
- Rewind allows players to reset their kart’s position after a mistake — a solo-only feature that can help recover without breaking the flow.
- Smart Steering, tilt controls, and auto-acceleration options are all still available for accessibility and family fun.
Characters, Items, and Surprises Galore
In addition to series regulars like Mario, Peach, and Bowser, the roster now includes unexpected choices like Goomba, Spike, and even Cow. The item lineup is just as wild:
- Coin Shells bump rivals and spawn speed-boosting coins.
- Kamek’s Magic creates havoc by unleashing a magical attack with various results.
- Ice Flower, Hammer, Mega Mushroom, and Feather all make their return from previous games with exciting effects.
- Dash Food from in-game drive-thrus grants speed boosts and unlocks character outfits — because fashion matters at 150cc.
Play Together, Anywhere — With Faces and Voices Too
Whether you’re racing couch co-op (up to four on one Switch 2), wirelessly connecting eight players locally, or hopping into massive online races with 24 global participants, Mario Kart World is built to bring people together.
The new GameChat feature allows voice chat through the system’s built-in mic (no app needed), and will be free to use until March 31, 2026.
Got the Switch 2 Camera? You’ll see players’ faces next to their karts — up to four on the same system, or dozens online. It’s a fun twist that makes each race feel more personal.
Launching alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, Mario Kart World isn’t just another sequel — it’s a reinvention. With expansive environments, massive multiplayer options, and more ways to play than ever before, it’s poised to become the definitive Mario Kart experience.
Whether you’re out for glory in Grand Prix, exploring secrets in Free Roam, or just trying to squash your friends with a Mega Mushroom, there’s only one rule: never let off the gas.
Watch the full Direct below:
[Source: Press Release from Nintendo of America]
Steve is the Senior Editor of NintendoFuse and co-host of the NintendoFuse Podcast. He’s been a Nintendo gamer since age 6 and has been on staff with NintendoFuse since 2008.