Mario Kart World: How Coins Boost Speed and Unlock Vehicles on Nintendo Switch 2

Mario Kart World has taken the Nintendo Switch 2 by storm, reinvigorating the classic kart-racing series with new mechanics and expansive multiplayer options.

Developed by Nintendo and released globally for both physical retail and on the eShop, Mario Kart World stands out with vibrant tracks, diverse characters, and fresh features that push the genre forward.

Among its core gameplay elements, the role of coin collection presents a strategic layer familiar to Mario Kart veterans but refined for the newest hardware generation. Coins are scattered throughout every mode in Mario Kart World, whether you’re racing in Grand Prix, competing in Knockout Tour, engaging in Battle Mode, or exploring in the expansive Free Roam.

Each coin you collect provides a tangible in-game benefit: collecting coins increases your character’s top speed.

Specifically, players can hold up to 20 coins at any given time, with each coin adding a small incremental boost.

Accumulating the full 20 coins grants the highest possible speed advantage.

However, players should stay vigilant—taking hits from rivals or environmental hazards will cause you to lose coins.

Fortunately, you can continue collecting to replenish your total. In addition to the immediate speed boost, Mario Kart World tracks the total number of coins you’ve gathered across all sessions.

This cumulative count directly rewards players by unlocking new vehicles.

For instance, in early gameplay impressions, vehicles such as the Lobster Roller, Li’l Dumpy, Big Horn, Pipe Frame, Fin Twin, the fan favorite R.O.B.

H.O.G., and Buggybud became available after reaching specific milestones—every 100 coins led to another unlock.

Although it remains to be seen whether each player unlocks vehicles in the same order, the system encourages consistent coin gathering. For those seeking to maximize their coin count, Free Roam mode proves especially fruitful.

Large stacks of coins are strategically placed, sometimes visible on the overhead mini-map for easier discovery, but often in hard-to-reach locations that reward skillful driving and exploration.

Watching the lower-right corner of your screen helps track nearby opportunities while racing. Other game modes, beyond standard track pickups, introduce new items to enhance coin collection.

The traditional Coin item increases your tally by two, while the innovative Question Block generates coins each time the L Button is pressed.

Meanwhile, the new Coin Shell item not only damages opponents but also leaves a trail of collectible coins along the racetrack, rewarding both offense and opportunistic driving. Mario Kart World is now available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 via retail stores and the Nintendo eShop.

Whether you’re a series newcomer or a seasoned competitor, mastering the coin collection system is essential for gaining speed and unlocking the game’s impressive stable of vehicles.

For fans eager to stay at the front of the pack, a focus on gathering coins could prove the key to victory in this newest entry in Nintendo’s storied racing franchise.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Nintendo Switch Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Switch 2 Switch Kart eShop Grand Prix Knockout Tour Battle Mode Free Roam vehicle unlocks