Mario Kart World
{{Short description|Upcoming video game}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Mario Kart World Cover Artwork.png
| caption = Key artwork
| alt = The game's cast of playable racers drive towards the camera, led by Mario. Multiple environments are depicted around them. The game's logo, featuring a globe, is in the top middle.
| publisher = Nintendo
| series = Mario Kart
| platforms = Nintendo Switch 2
| genre = Kart racing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| released = June 5, 2025
| developer = Nintendo
| title = Mario Kart World
}}
{{nihongo foot|Mario Kart World|マリオカートワールド|Mario Kāto Wārudo|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is an upcoming kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch 2. It is scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, as a launch game for the console. It adds open world and off-roading elements to the Mario Kart series.
Gameplay
{{See also|Gameplay of Mario Kart|l1=Gameplay of Mario Kart}}
Mario Kart World is a kart racing game. As in previous Mario Kart games, players race as characters from the Mario series in one of many selectable go-karts. The game features over 40 playable characters, many of which also have alternate unlockable costumes accessed by eating snacks during races.{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=2025-04-03 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive Mario Kart World: Every Playable Character and Outfit Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-exclusive-mario-kart-world-every-playable-character-and-outfit-revealed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406031544/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-exclusive-mario-kart-world-every-playable-character-and-outfit-revealed |archive-date=2025-04-06 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |date=2025-04-03 |title=Mario Kart World Hands-On: The Conservative Switch 2 Gets A Bold Sequel |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-world-hands-on-the-conservative-switch-2-gets-a-bold-sequel/1100-6530583/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404170106/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-world-hands-on-the-conservative-switch-2-gets-a-bold-sequel/1100-6530583/ |archive-date=2025-04-04 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=GameSpot}}{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Dashiell |title=Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct: new free roam details confirmed and everything announced about the Switch 2 game |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/live/mario-kart-world-nintendo-direct-live-switch-2 |website=TechRadar |access-date=17 April 2025}} It supports up to 24 players, more than in previous Mario Kart games,{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Victoria |date=April 2, 2025 |title=Mario Kart World announced as Switch 2 launch title, complete with 24 player races, new modes and more |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/mario-kart-world-announced-as-switch-2-launch-title-complete-with-24-player-races-new-modes-and-more |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406031113/https://www.eurogamer.net/mario-kart-world-announced-as-switch-2-launch-title-complete-with-24-player-races-new-modes-and-more |archive-date=2025-04-06 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Eurogamer}} and includes features such as an open world design, a free-roaming mode, off-roading segments, boat racing, rail grinding and wall jumping.{{cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2025-04-02 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Game Officially Revealed as Mario Kart World |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-mario-kart-game-officially-revealed-as-mario-kart-world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406031817/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-mario-kart-game-officially-revealed-as-mario-kart-world |archive-date=2025-04-06 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=IGN}}{{cite web |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=2025-04-02 |title=Nintendo Reveals 'Mario Kart World' For Switch 2, Here's The Trailer |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/04/02/nintendo-reveals-mario-kart-world-for-switch-2-heres-the-trailer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406032153/https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/04/02/nintendo-reveals-mario-kart-world-for-switch-2-heres-the-trailer/ |archive-date=2025-04-06 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Forbes}}
Unlike prior Mario Kart titles, the Grand Prix mode does not simply consist of four separate races, but rather racers must drive to each course,{{Cite news |date=2025-04-03 |title=Here's how Mario Kart World's Grand Prix and Free Roam modes work |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-how-mario-kart-worlds-grand-prix-and-free-roam-modes-work |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Eurogamer |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405220341/https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-how-mario-kart-worlds-grand-prix-and-free-roam-modes-work |url-status=live }} though it is believed that there will be an option to turn off these intermissions.{{Cite web |title=Mario Kart World's Open World, Knockout Mode, and More Major Changes on Switch 2 |url=https://www.restart.run/articles/mario-kart-world-s-open-world-knockout-mode-and-more-major-changes-on-switch-2 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Restart |language=en |archive-date=April 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410175554/https://www.restart.run/articles/mario-kart-world-s-open-world-knockout-mode-and-more-major-changes-on-switch-2 |url-status=live }} Mario Kart World features some past courses from the series that have been reimagined to fit the game's open world design and to include a shift from day to night.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Catherine |date=April 17, 2025 |title=Mario Kart World's retro courses have been "reimagined," so don't expect your muscle memory to carry you through the Switch 2 racing game |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/racing/mario-kart-worlds-retro-courses-have-been-reimagined-so-dont-expect-your-muscle-memory-to-carry-you-through-the-switch-2-racing-game/ |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=GamesRadar+}} In addition, a mode called "Knockout Tour" will be introduced in the game; the 24 racers will compete in one much longer race spanning the game's world, with four eliminations at each of the six intermittent checkpoints.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqE7noDQLvs |title=Mario Kart World – Knockout Tour Gameplay – Nintendo Treehouse: Live {{!}} Nintendo Switch 2 |date=2025-04-03 |last=Nintendo of America |access-date=2025-04-09 |via=YouTube |archive-date=April 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406143000/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqE7noDQLvs |url-status=live }}{{primary source inline|date=April 2025}}
Battle Mode returns from previous titles; players compete against one another to pop each other's balloons in Balloon Battle or collecting the most coins in Coin Runners.{{cite web |title=Mario Kart World Direct Revs up New Details on the Biggest Mario Kart Ever, Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 at Launch |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250416860422/en/Mario-Kart-World-Direct-Revs-up-New-Details-on-the-Biggest-Mario-Kart-Ever-Coming-to-Nintendo-Switch-2-at-Launch |website=Business Wire |access-date=17 April 2025}}
Development
A successor to Mario Kart 8 (2014) was rumored since the release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) for the Nintendo Switch. In 2021, it was reported that a new Nintendo racing game had been in development for "at least two [to] three years".{{cite web |last1=Felt |first1=Klein |date=2024-01-16 |title=Mario Kart 9: Rumors and Everything We Know |url=https://thedirect.com/article/mario-kart-9-release-rumors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125161805/https://thedirect.com/article/mario-kart-9-release-rumors |archive-date=2025-01-25 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=The Direct}} On January 16, 2025, Nintendo announced the Nintendo Switch 2 with footage of a new Mario Kart game. Critics likened the art style to Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, both released in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=January 16, 2025 |title=A New Mario Kart Game Is Seemingly Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/a-new-mario-kart-game-is-seemingly-coming-to-nintendo-switch-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401141535/https://www.ign.com/articles/a-new-mario-kart-game-is-seemingly-coming-to-nintendo-switch-2 |archive-date=2025-04-01 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=IGN}}
Release
In a Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2, 2025, Nintendo announced the title Mario Kart World and revealed the first trailer.{{cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=2025-04-02 |title=Mario Kart World goes open-world and off-road on Nintendo Switch 2 |url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/551079/mario-kart-switch-2-release-date-details |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406032801/https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/551079/mario-kart-switch-2-release-date-details |archive-date=2025-04-06 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Polygon}} Nintendo will sell Mario Kart World for {{USD|79.99|link=}}, $20 more than the standard price for games on the original Nintendo Switch and more than most standard editions of AAA games, which has led to controversy.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2025-04-03 |title=Here's Why the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World, and Everything Around Them Is So Expensive |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/heres-why-the-nintendo-switch-2-mario-kart-world-and-everything-around-them-is-so-expensive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404162111/https://www.ign.com/articles/heres-why-the-nintendo-switch-2-mario-kart-world-and-everything-around-them-is-so-expensive |archive-date=2025-04-04 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=2025-04-02 |title=First-party Switch 2 games—including re-releases—all run either $70 or $80 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/04/psa-mario-kart-world-is-50-bundled-with-a-switch-2-but-80-by-itself/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403080125/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/04/psa-mario-kart-world-is-50-bundled-with-a-switch-2-but-80-by-itself/ |archive-date=2025-04-03 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Redmond |first=Wash |date=2025-04-02 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Launches June 5 at $449.99, Bringing New Forms of Game Communication to Life |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402229347/en/Nintendo-Switch-2-Launches-June-5-at-%24449.99-Bringing-New-Forms-of-Game-Communication-to-Life |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404043716/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402229347/en/Nintendo-Switch-2-Launches-June-5-at-%24449.99-Bringing-New-Forms-of-Game-Communication-to-Life |archive-date=2025-04-04 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Business Wire}} A Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct presentation was held on April 17, 2025.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2025-04-02 |title=They're just letting anyone drive in Mario Kart World |url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/551483/mario-kart-world-roster-drivers-racers-characters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406011609/https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/551483/mario-kart-world-roster-drivers-racers-characters |archive-date=2025-04-06 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}
Notes
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Video games}}
- {{official|https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/featured-games/mario-kart-world/}}
{{Mario Kart}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch 2 games
Category:Nintendo Switch 2-only games
Category:Off-road racing video games
Category:Open-world video games
Category:Split-screen multiplayer games
Category:Upcoming video games scheduled for 2025