Rainbow Road Confirmed for Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch: Track Details, Map Location, and More

Nintendo has officially confirmed that the legendary Rainbow Road track will make its return in the highly anticipated Mario Kart World, set to launch globally for the Nintendo Switch on June 5, 2025.

The announcement follows the recent upload of new artwork and a map graphic to Nintendo’s Korean website, which provided fans with the first glimpse of the track’s placement in the upcoming title. Rainbow Road’s inclusion in every mainline Mario Kart game has cemented it as one of the series’ most iconic features.

While footage of the track was absent from the debut trailer and the subsequent Nintendo Treehouse presentation, a now-removed image from the official website confirms that Rainbow Road will be accessible in Mario Kart World.

According to visual details from the leaked map, Rainbow Road appears as an elevated circuit located centrally on the lower half of the game's all-new open-world inspired map.

Specifics regarding the method of access remain unclear, but the layout suggests interconnected pathways leading racers onto the vibrant course, with the track potentially unlocking at a later point in gameplay progression. In addition to Rainbow Road, Nintendo has revealed the return of several beloved tracks in Mario Kart World.

Fans can expect to speed through classics such as Mario Bros.

Circuit, the bustling Shy Guy Bazaar, Wario Stadium, and Peach Stadium.

Nintendo Life has compiled a continually updated guide listing confirmed tracks as Nintendo unveils new details.

The fan community has wasted no time analyzing the map and piecing together possible locations and course connections, fueling excitement ahead of the launch. Responding to fan enthusiasm, a Nintendo spokesperson stated that the inclusion of Rainbow Road was designed to "honor the legacy of Mario Kart while leveraging the enhanced capabilities of the Nintendo Switch platform." Additionally, Nintendo has scheduled a dedicated Mario Kart World Direct presentation for later this month, promising exclusive insights into new tracks, features, and gameplay modes ahead of the game’s eShop release. Mario Kart World is poised to deliver a fresh take on the kart racing genre, building on the franchise’s history of best-selling titles and creative course design.

As Nintendo gears up for the next-generation Mario Kart experience, anticipation is running high—not just for the adrenaline-pumping challenge of Rainbow Road, but for how Mario Kart World will expand and innovate on the series' storied tradition.

Mario Kart Mario Kart World Nintendo Rainbow Road Mario Rainbow Kart Nintendo Switch Nintendo Direct Switch