Mario Kart World Direct Unveiled

The recently concluded Mario Kart World Direct unveiled exciting details about the upcoming installment in Nintendo's kart-racing franchise. Discover the game's groundbreaking free-roam features and other enhancements coming to this highly anticipated title.

Mario Kart World Direct Highlights

An Expansive Open World

Nintendo's April 17 presentation showcased the game's revolutionary open-world design. Players can freely navigate Mario Kart World, exploring both familiar locations and brand-new environments never before seen in the series.

Nintendo explained: "Mario Kart World features interconnected courses with connecting roads, allowing seamless transitions between races while exploring this vibrant universe."

Experience the Mushroom Kingdom from new perspectives with stunning landscapes and iconic landmarks waiting to be discovered. Hidden collectibles and skill-building challenges are scattered throughout the world, rewarding exploration between races.

The game features redesigned classic tracks alongside new courses, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard - all meticulously crafted for this reimagined racing experience.

Enhanced Racing Modes

Two primary racing formats headline the experience: Grand Prix and Knockout Tour, both supporting up to 24 racers - a series first. Drivers must stay alert for dynamic track hazards like Bullet Bill-firing vehicles and Hammer Bros attacks.

The Grand Prix challenges players to complete four consecutive races across classic cups like Mushroom, Flower, and Star. Unlike previous entries, competitors must physically travel between races, adding a new layer of strategy. Completing all cups unlocks a special "colorful course" - widely speculated to be Rainbow Road.

The innovative Knockout Tour mode offers an endurance challenge, taking racers on a cross-country journey where only those who qualify at each checkpoint continue the race.

Fresh Gameplay Elements

Mario Kart World introduces new power-ups alongside returning favorites. Highlights include:

• The Coin Shell - knocks out rivals while leaving a coin trail
• Ice Flower - freezes opponents on contact
• Big Mushroom - temporarily makes racers giant enough to squash competitors

The roster features classic characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, joined by newcomers including Goomba, Spike, and even Cow. Each character sports unlockable alternate costumes hidden throughout the world.

Multiplayer Features

Mario Kart World offers diverse multiplayer options:

• Time Trials with online ghost data competitions
• Customizable VS mode for team-based racing
• Returning Battle mode variants including Coin Runners and Balloon Battle

The game supports local split-screen for up to four players on one Switch 2 system and local wireless play for eight players across multiple consoles. The new GameChat feature enables real-time communication between racers.

Accessibility features include:

• Smart Steering assistance
• Auto-accelerate option
• Motion control support
• Enhanced Joy-Con 2 Wheel compatibility

Mario Kart World revolutionizes the kart-racing genre with its expansive open-world design. Launching exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.