Mario Kart World: Nintendo Unveils Ambitious Racing Game for Nintendo Switch 2 at Mario Kart World Direct

Nintendo has officially lifted the curtain on Mario Kart World, the highly anticipated next entry in the storied Mario Kart series.

Announced in the recent Mario Kart World Direct presentation, Mario Kart World brings groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind gameplay to the franchise and is slated to launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5.

In tandem with the game’s release, fans can look forward to a special bundle featuring the Nintendo Switch 2 system and a digital copy of Mario Kart World — both available from launch day. Mario Kart World marks a major evolution for the racing series, introducing an interconnected open world as its central feature.

Players now have the freedom to drive seamlessly between diverse regions, including cities, open plains, deserts, and ocean routes — a significant leap from the course-based structure of previous titles.

Races are staged across this expansive landscape, bolstered by dynamic weather changes and a fully integrated day/night cycle. During the Direct presentation, Nintendo described Mario Kart World as the largest and most innovative Mario Kart game yet, noting that, "Players can explore and compete in a world that’s truly open, offering new types of adventures and races never before possible in the franchise." This bold new structure sets the stage for a varied suite of gameplay modes: - **Grand Prix:** The classic four-race tournaments return, now enhanced with interconnected courses.

Racers must traverse from one track to another as part of each Cup, forging a continuous racing journey across Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and more.

Completing all Grand Prix events unlocks secret courses as a reward for dedicated players. - **Knockout Tour:** A brand-new mode where players race across extended segments dotted with checkpoints, striving to avoid elimination.

In addition to competing against rivals, racers must navigate environmental hazards and classic Mario Kart obstacles, raising the stakes as they fight for first place. - **Free Roam:** Away from the pressure of competition, players can drive freely, explore unique surroundings, discover hidden coins, tackle over a hundred driving missions, and snap in-game photos of their journey. - **Battle Mode:** Fan-favorite modes like Coin Runners and Balloon Battle return with heightened intensity.

In Coin Runners, collect the most coins; in Balloon Battle, eliminate opponents by bursting their balloons. Mario Kart World also debuts new techniques, such as the "Charge Jump" move for leaping obstacles and wall-riding, as well as a handy Rewind feature that allows players to recover from mistakes without interrupting the flow of the race. The game supports up to 24 racers per match — the most in Mario Kart history — and offers robust local and online multiplayer options.

Up to four players can compete via split-screen on one Nintendo Switch 2, while online sessions allow worldwide races and meetups with friends in Free Roam.

GameChat, Nintendo’s enhanced online voice and video system, enables in-game voice chat and offers an expanded social experience, freely available until March 31, 2026, after which a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required. Mario Kart World’s roster includes familiar Mushroom Kingdom favorites like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, alongside quirky picks like Goomba, Spike, and even Cow.

The course list spans fresh tracks such as Mario Bros.

Circuit, Crown City, Starview Peak, and Boo Cinema, as well as updated fan favorites from previous games, all woven into the interconnected world. Additional features include support for the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera (sold separately), allowing players’ faces to appear beside their racer in online play, Smart Steering, Auto-Accelerate, and motion controls via the Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessory.

A bevy of new and returning items, customizable multiplayer rules, and accessibility features round out what promises to be the deepest Mario Kart experience yet. Mario Kart World will be available exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 starting June 5, both as a standalone title and as part of a bundle with the system.

For full details and to view the presentation, visit Nintendo's official site.

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