Mario Kart World Announced for Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date, Features, and Gameplay Details Revealed

Nintendo has officially lifted the curtain on Mario Kart World, set to become the most expansive entry in the beloved racing series.

Unveiled during today's Mario Kart World Direct presentation, the company detailed a suite of new features and innovations, confirming Mario Kart World will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

To mark this highly anticipated release, a special Nintendo Switch 2 hardware bundle—including the new system and a digital download code for Mario Kart World—will also become available on launch day. A Landmark Evolution in Mario Kart Series Mario Kart World ushers in a series-first interconnected world, allowing players to drive seamlessly across diverse locations such as bustling cities, rolling plains, deserts, and even the ocean.

Dynamic weather effects and a full day/night cycle add extra challenge and realism to every session.

Players can engage in classic Grand Prix races, embark on the all-new Knockout Tour mode, or simply explore the vast environment in Free Roam.

Both single-player adventurous drives and multiplayer showdowns, locally or online, are fully supported. "For the very first time in the Mario Kart series, courses are embedded across a single world map—letting racers travel the roads that connect one course to the next," recaps Nintendo, emphasizing the interconnected design at the core of Mario Kart World.

In Grand Prix, earning gold means conquering a series of four races within each Cup, including classics like the Mushroom Cup and Star Cup, all connected by driveable terrain.

The game also introduces a Knockout Tour, a high-intensity mode where players must pass through checkpoints and survive unpredictable hazards, including unique vehicles and environmental threats. Free Roam empowers players to venture off the beaten path, unlock missions, collect hidden coins, or snap in-game photographs of the landscape and friends.

Battle Mode returns with coin-collecting and balloon-popping chaos, now augmented by a wider variety of characters, including core Mushroom Kingdom residents and fresh entrants like Goomba and Cow. Innovative Gameplay Mechanics and Expanded Multiplayer New gameplay mechanics make their debut, such as Charge Jump for leaping onto rails or walls, while a Rewind feature allows drivers to reset their vehicle position during races, improving accessibility and practice opportunities.

Mario Kart World supports races with up to 24 players—an all-time high for the franchise.

Local split-screen accommodates up to four racers on a single Nintendo Switch 2 system, while local wireless enables up to eight players.

Robust online play, with both traditional and custom race rules, and expanded features such as GameChat voice communication enhance the community experience. The game incorporates CameraPlay, letting your face show beside your racer via the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, and, for the first time, lets you see your friends’ reactions as you play together.

In Free Roam, fast travel enables groups to gather anywhere on the world map for spontaneous racing or exploration. Classic and New Content Unveiled Fans can look forward to mastering new and returning tracks such as Mario Bros.

Circuit, Crown City, Starview Peak, and Boo Cinema.

Classic courses from previous Mario Kart games will also reappear, updated to fit within the newfound open-world structure.

Players can collect new items like Coin Shells, Ice Flower, Hammer, Mega Mushroom, Feather, and Kamek’s magic, again ensuring unpredictable and strategic races. Customizations and Assist Features Character customization through outfits unlocked by Dash Food pit stops and roadside assistance options like Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate make Mario Kart World approachable for all levels of players.

Motion controls are backed by the new Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessory. Mario Kart World is slated for release exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

For fans who missed the live presentation, a full recap is available on Nintendo’s official channels, signaling the start of an exciting new era for the franchise.

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