Mario Kart World

What it is

Mario Kart World is a kart-racing game built around a connected landscape rather than a collection of isolated circuits. Developed by Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 9 and published by Nintendo, it released on June 5, 2025, alongside Nintendo Switch 2. It remains exclusive to that system, with races supporting up to 24 drivers and options for solo play, same-system multiplayer and online competition.

Nintendo’s May 21, 2025 Ask the Developer interview traced prototyping to March 2017 and the project’s formal start to the end of that year. Producer Kosuke Yabuki described wanting to move beyond the series’ individual-course formula. Development initially targeted Nintendo Switch before moving to Switch 2; the developers explained that the newer hardware helped accommodate their larger world and performance goals.

Story and setting

The premise brings Mario and other Mushroom Kingdom characters together for races across an interconnected world. Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser appear alongside less conventional playable drivers, including Goomba, Spike and Cow. The roster is an ensemble of competitors rather than a single protagonist’s adventure.

Courses occupy different regions, with roads and surrounding terrain connecting them. Nintendo’s revealed locations include the streets of Crown City, the snowy slopes of Starview Peak and the haunted surroundings of Boo Cinema. Mountains, forests, deserts, cities and open water form part of the wider landscape, while changing weather and a day/night cycle alter its appearance.

Free Roam lets players explore outside structured races, visit scenic locations and take photographs. Roadside food also has a practical role: Dash Food provides a speed boost and can unlock character outfits. These outfits become selectable from the character screen, connecting exploration and roadside stops with additional customization.

Gameplay and modes

Grand Prix retains the points-based cup structure, with four connected races determining the winner. Driving between courses is part of the competition: a race can include the journey from one destination to the next rather than simply restarting on another self-contained circuit. Fields support up to 24 racers.

Knockout Tour turns that connected geography into an elimination rally. Drivers race continuously through a sequence of checkpoints, and competitors below the required position are removed. The field shrinks until four racers remain for the final stretch. VS Race provides configurable racing, while Time Trials focuses on improving course times and competing against ghost data.

Movement techniques include Charge Jumps, rail riding and short wall rides, alongside driving across water. Charge Jumps can clear obstacles or reach rails and alternate routes. Rewind allows a player to correct a mistake in Free Roam or single-player play, but opponents continue moving normally while that player rewinds.

Free Roam includes P Switch missions that test driving skills away from the main competitions. Battle offers a different objective: Balloon Battle revolves around eliminating opponents by popping their balloons, while Coin Runners rewards collecting coins. The subsequently added Bob-omb Blast uses explosive attacks and allows players to carry up to ten Bob-ombs.

Multiplayer supports four people on one console, eight through local wireless and 24 active racers online. Online play allows up to two participants per console and requires Nintendo Switch Online. Assistive settings include Smart Steering, Auto-Accelerate and Auto-Use Item. CameraPlay can display players’ faces beside their vehicles when a compatible USB camera is connected.

Reception

Launch reviews praised the racing while differing over the value of its open-world exploration. GameSpot’s June 9, 2025 review highlighted Knockout Tour, the connected setting and techniques that reward skilled driving. Its criticisms included sparsely populated Free Roam areas, limited appeal in sticker rewards and inconsistent availability of costumes across the roster.

GamesRadar+ was more enthusiastic about Free Roam, describing exploration and spontaneous diversions as important parts of the experience. Its review also welcomed Knockout Tour while questioning the game’s longer-term staying power. Together, these assessments distinguish the well-received racing systems from the more divisive exploration component.

Post-launch updates and editions

Nintendo has expanded and adjusted the game through free software updates. Version 1.3.0, released September 23, 2025, added map tracking for completed P Switches and collected Peach Medallions. Version 1.4.0 followed on December 2, 2025, introducing Custom Items and additional room-play options. Version 1.5.0 added team races to Knockout Tour in online and local-wireless rooms on January 21, 2026.

Bob-omb Blast arrived with version 1.6.0 on March 30, 2026. Version 1.7.0, released June 30, 2026, added Drill Rally and Boomerang Rally to Knockout Tour, plus sticker placement in Photo Mode.

As of October 26, 2026, Nintendo’s latest listed update is version 1.8.0, released September 9, 2026. It added ten SNES-inspired courses to supported racing modes and introduced Propeller Rally and Turnip Rally. Online and LAN rooms can now accommodate 26 people, although only 24 can participate in a race; the additional capacity supports spectators.

The standalone game’s US list price is $79.99. The current Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle has a $549.99 suggested retail price and includes the console, a full digital game download and a 90-day Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership. Nintendo’s store lists September 18, 2026 as the release date for this bundle configuration.