Mario Kart World Unlockable Characters Guide: How to Unlock All Racers on Nintendo Switch 2

With the highly anticipated release of Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2, players are eager to dive into its expansive racing roster and uncover all the hidden unlockable characters.

Building on the series’ legendary status, Nintendo’s latest installment introduces not only stunning new circuits but also an engaging array of unlockable racers—both familiar faces and surprise newcomers.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to unlock every character in Mario Kart World, offering verified strategies and essential information for completionists and competitive players alike. Mario Kart World launched globally alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, capitalizing on robust hardware to deliver a visually impressive and feature-rich kart racing experience.

Developed by Nintendo, the game continues the franchise’s tradition of offering unlockable content that incentivizes players to explore every mode and milestone.

At launch, Mario Kart World features six main unlockable characters, each with additional costumes, as well as eighteen NPC drivers without extra attire.

Notably, the game’s day one patch (version 1.1.0) immediately unlocks a handful of NPC drivers, so some players may find certain characters already available upon starting the game. **Unlocking NPC Drivers in Mario Kart World** There are eighteen NPC drivers to unlock in total: Cheep Cheep, Coin Coffer, Conkdor, Cow, Dolphin, Fish Bone, Monty Mole, Para-Biddybud, Peepa, Penguin, Pianta, Pokey, Rocky Wrench, Sidestepper, Snowman, Spike, Stingby, and Swoop.

All of these are unlocked through a unique in-game mechanic involving the Kamek item.

During any race, if a player—or even an AI-controlled competitor—activates the Kamek item, Kamek will appear on the track and transform all racers into random NPC drivers.

Once a character transformation occurs, that driver becomes permanently unlocked for your roster.

Because Kamek’s transformations are randomized, unlocking all NPC drivers may require patience and several races. **How to Unlock Primary Racers in Mario Kart World** The six major unlockable characters—each with their own set of themed costumes—are earned by completing specific Grand Prix cups, regardless of the chosen difficulty.

To help you target your favorite character, here is the list of cups associated with each unlockable racer: - Mushroom Cup: Donkey Kong - Flower Cup: Daisy - Star Cup: Rosalina - Shell Cup: Lakitu - Banana Cup: Birdo - Lightning Cup: Bowser Jr. Clearing the corresponding Grand Prix cup unlocks that primary racer, expanding your character selection and customization options.

With thoughtfully designed challenges and rewards, Nintendo ensures that players are motivated to revisit every cup and mode. For those seeking even more details or official patch notes, Nintendo’s official website provides up-to-date resources—including the full 1.1.0 update changelog.

Mario Kart World is shaping up to be one of the strongest entries yet on the Nintendo Switch 2, blending beloved kart racing gameplay with a satisfying progression system. Stay tuned for further updates and additional coverage as Mario Kart World continues to evolve post-launch, and be sure to check out our ongoing guides for tips, character strategies, and the latest news from Nintendo Direct announcements.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Nintendo Switch Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Switch 2 Switch Kart Grand Prix Cups Kamek Nintendo Direct