Key Highlights:
- Mario Kart World launches June 5, 2025, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.
- Features 24-player races, dynamic weather, rail-grinding, and a new Free Roam mode.
- Priced at $80/£75, it’s the most expensive Mario Kart game to date.
With Mario Kart World, Nintendo is doing more than iterating, it’s redefining the track entirely. Set to release alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th, this latest entry doesn’t just expand the roster or freshen up the visuals; it reimagines how Mario Kart is played.
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Think larger races, new traversal mechanics, and a full-scale open-world driving experience, yes, really.
The Biggest Roster in Mario Kart History
Nintendo’s character lineup is vast, with 48 confirmed racers, the largest to date.
The roster blends core favourites like Mario, Peach, and Bowser with quirky newcomers including the Para-Biddybud, Penguins, and even Moo Moo the Cow. Here’s the full list thus far:
- Toad
- Toadette
- Pauline
- Shy Guy
- Baby Mario
- Baby Luigi
- Baby Peach
- Baby Daisy
- Baby Rosalina
- Wario
- Waluigi
- Yoshi
- Lakitu
- Birdo
- King Boo
- Dry Bones
- Wiggler
- Nabbit
- Goomba
- Hammer Bro
- Moo Moo (Cow)
- Koopa Troopa
- Piranha Plant
- Conkdor
- Snowman
- Sidestepper
- Chargin’ Chuck
- Cheep Cheep
- Coin Coffer
- Rocky Wrench
- Monty Mole
- Fish Bone
- Dolphin
- Penguin
- Para-Biddybud
- Stingby
- Pokey
- Cataquack
- Peepa
- Spike
- Mario
- Luigi
- Peach
- Bowser
- Bowser Jr.
- Daisy
- Rosalina
- Donkey Kong
The goal here isn’t just variety; it’s chaos, charm, and fan service all in one.
This move adds character depth, appealing to veteran fans who’ve memorised kart stats and casual players who just want to pick the Snowman from Super Mario 64.
More characters also means a wider range of kart-body combinations and unique animations, a subtle but meaningful boost in replayability.
The headline mechanic is the new 24-player race format. It doubles the previous limit and reshapes track design completely. To accommodate this, circuits are visibly broader, with multiple lanes, dynamic shortcuts, and plenty of chaos potential. Here’s details on the tracks as per NintendoLife:
🏁 Mario Kart World – Track Line-Up
| Mushroom Cup | Flower Cup | Star Cup | Shell Cup | Banana Cup | Leaf Cup | Lightning Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Bros. Circuit | Desert Hills | DK Pass | Koopa Troopa Beach | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Crown City | Shy Guy Bazaar | Starview Peak | Faraway Oasis | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Whistlestop Summit | Wario Stadium | Sky-High Sundae | Crown City | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| DK Spaceport | Airship Fortress | Wario Shipyard | Peach Stadium | TBD | TBD | TBD |
That’s right: tracks now feature dynamic weather and lighting. A sunset lap may be scenic, but rain-soaked turns could change traction and visibility entirely.
It’s a meaningful evolution of the game’s physics and item meta, not just window dressing.
Seamless World and the New Free Roam Mode
For the first time, Mario Kart features an interconnected world. Instead of returning to a menu between races, you’ll drive between locations across a seamless Grand Prix map.
It plays like The Crew meets Mario Kart, encouraging detours and exploration.
This feeds directly into Free Roam mode – a no-lap, no-timer sandbox where players can cruise together, discover hidden routes, take in the scenery, and even snap photos.
It’s the most relaxed way to play a Mario Kart game, which adds a surprising and welcome shift in tone.
Knockout Mode and New Mechanics Shake Things Up
Another major new addition is Knockout Tour. Every few laps, the bottom four racers are eliminated until only one driver remains.
It’s a mode built for tension and streamers. Expect this to become a new competitive favourite.
Meanwhile, the core mechanics get a solid boost too. You’ll now be able to:
- Grind rails for speed boosts
- Wall ride around tight corners
- Hijack large vehicles mid-race
- Transform karts into boats and planes, depending on terrain
There’s also a peculiar burger-shaped power-up teased in the trailer that changes your character’s outfit.
Whether it alters gameplay or is purely cosmetic remains to be seen, but it points to increased customisation options.
Price: Steep – But It Might Just Be Worth It
There’s no ignoring it: Mario Kart World is the most expensive Mario Kart game ever.
At $80/£66.99 digitally and $90/£74.99 physically, it’s significantly above the usual first-party Nintendo pricing.
That said, a Switch 2 bundle including the game will be available for $499/£429.99, which works out to a hefty discount if you were planning to buy both anyway. You can grab it digitally via the official Nintendo website online.
The price will no doubt raise eyebrows, but the expanded feature set, sheer content volume, and the ambition of a true open-world Mario Kart might just justify the premium.
Nintendo isn’t just adding more racers or prettier tracks, they’re challenging the structure of Mario Kart itself.
With Free Roam, dynamic conditions, and new gameplay mechanics that lean into player expression and chaotic creativity, Mario Kart World feels like the most significant leap for the franchise in decades.