Nintendo has shared fresh details about Mario Kart World in a dedicated Nintendo Direct presentation focused entirely on the upcoming game. The new footage showcased a variety of brand-new tracks, returning classics, creative power-ups, and exciting new gameplay mechanics—all part of what’s shaping up to be the biggest Mario Kart entry yet.
New Tracks Unveiled
Among the tracks revealed were:
- Mario Bros Circuit – A reimagining of a classic fan-favorite
- Crown City – A bustling urban course
- Salty Salty Speedway – A seaside track with winding canal sections
- Starview Peak – A snow-covered mountaintop course
- Boo Cinema – A spooky, ghost-themed track filled with paranormal surprises
These new courses promise a mix of high-speed fun and environmental challenges that will push players’ skills to the limit.
New and Returning Items
Mario Kart World is introducing several new power-ups:
- Coin Shell – Fires forward and leaves behind a trail of coins
- Ice Flower – Freezes enemies on contact
- Hammer – Flies in an arc and lands for a brief time, dealing damage
- Kamek – Magically transforms opponents into different forms
Additionally, classic items like the Mega Mushroom and Feather are making a comeback.
Outfits & Food-Based Transformations
Nintendo also gave insight into the game’s new outfit system. During races, players can collect Dash Food, which temporarily transforms their characters into costumes based on the food they eat. For instance, eating sushi changes a character into a traditional Japanese outfit.
Once unlocked, these outfits become available in the character selection screen for future use.
New Gameplay Mechanics
Two major new gameplay techniques were confirmed:
- Charge Jump – A powerful jump that can be used to leap over obstacles, ride rails, and even perform wall-jumps
- Mid-Race Rewind – Allows players to rewind slightly after missing a trick or shortcut (though other racers will continue forward normally)
These additions offer more flexibility and creativity during races, especially for players seeking a competitive edge.
Free Roam Mode Gets Detailed
The Free Roam mode lets players explore the game’s world freely without racing. In this mode, players can:
- Drive across open maps
- Activate P Switches to unlock missions
- Discover hidden coins and secret panels
- Play online with friends
- Use Photo Mode to capture moments from their adventure
Multiplayer Options & Support
The game supports several multiplayer modes:
- Split-screen for up to four players on a single Switch 2 console
- Local wireless play for up to eight players (with two players per console)
- Online races with up to 24 players
Nintendo also confirmed the return of assisted driving controls for younger players and a new Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessory for those who prefer motion-based steering.
Launch Info and Pricing
Mario Kart World is the first brand-new console entry in the series in over a decade. The last major release, Mario Kart 8, launched in 2014 on the Wii U and was later ported to the Switch as Deluxe.
Mario Kart World will launch on June 5, alongside the Switch 2 console. The game will be available:
- As a standalone title for $80
- Or as part of a Switch 2 bundle, which includes the console and a download code for the game
