Mario Kart World – everything we know

Mario Kart World has now been revealed, having been showcased during the recent Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event. From what we’ve seen so far, the new Mario Kart looks primed to push the franchise forward, with a new art style, and seamless racing between tracks across a large map.

Of course, we’ve known about a new Mario Kart game for a while, as it was teased during the initial Nintendo Switch 2 event back in January. This full reveal is no doubt music to your ears, given just how long it’s been since we got a brand new Mario Kart game on consoles. We’ve even played it, and you can read what we thought in our Mario Kart World preview.

Now we know that it’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2, as well as some new details on what to expect. The promise of a new Mario Kart has certainly convinced us here at TechRadar Gaming to stay up to date with Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders.

Following its reveal, Mario Kart World is easily one of the most highly anticipated upcoming games for 2025. Hopefully, it’ll end up on our list of the best Nintendo Switch games by the end of the year. Who knows, maybe it’ll even dethrone its predecessor after many, many years at the top of sales charts? Rather big shoes to fill indeed.

Here’s everything we know so far about Mario Kart World so far, including a look at gameplay, as well as all of the latest news and trailers. As new info drops this page will be updated.

Mario Kart World: cut to the chase

What is it? The next entry in the legendary Mario Kart series
When does it come out? June 5, 2025
What can I play it on? Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusively)
Who’s making it? Nintendo

Mario Kart World release date and platforms

Mario Kart World

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Mario Kart World will launch on June 5, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2, alongside the main console.

This new Mario Kart is going to be an exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Mario Kart World trailer

So far, we’ve only received one trailer for Mario Kart World. It was revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025. This reveals the game’s name and gives us our first look at the new 24-player races.

Mario Kart World – Announcement Trailer (Nintendo Switch 2) – YouTube

Watch On

We’ll likely hear more about Mario Kart World in the coming months. To keep up to date with every trailer release for the game, be sure to check out the official Nintendo YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can stay up to date with all things Nintendo using the Nintendo Today app.

Mario Kart World gameplay

New Mario Kart screenshot

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Mario Kart World gameplay was shown off during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event that aired on April 2, 2025. In it, we see that all tracks in the game lead into one another, in a large interconnected world map. This allows players to drive between tracks during Grand Prix. In addition, you can drive anywhere on a track, even outside of the guidelines.

From what we’ve seen so far, Mario Kart World features a bunch of new mechanics. The first is the ability to grind, which is shown in the reveal trailer. Players can seemingly drive into larger vehicles and take them over as well. There are new items to play with too, like a burger seen in the aforementioned trailer. There’s wall-riding, and an expanded flying mechanic as well.

Races can now contain 24 players, the largest in the series so far. We’ll have to see how this works in action, but given the larger scope of the game’s world, we think it’ll be just the right mix of chaos and fun.

Mario Kart World characters

New Mario Kart screenshot

(Image credit: Nintendo)

So far, the following characters have been confirmed for Mario Kart X:

Baby Daisy
Baby Luigi
Baby Mario
Baby Peach
Baby Rosalina
Birdo
Bowser
Bowser Jr.
Cataquack (new)
Chargin’ Chuck
Cheep Cheep (new)
Coin Coffer (new)
Conkdor (new)
Cow (new)
Daisy
Dolphin (new)
Donkey Kong
Dry Bones
Fish Bone (new)
Goomba
Hammer Bro.
King Boo
Koopa
Lakitu
Luigi
Mario
Monty Mole (new)
Nabbit
Para-Biddybud
Pauline
Peach
Peepa (new)
Penguin (new)
Pianta (new)
Piranha Plant (new)
Pokey (new)
Rocky Wrench (new)
Rosalina
Shy Guy
Sidestepper (new)
Snowman (new)
Spike (new)
Stingby (new)
Swoop (new)
Toad
Toadette
Waluigi
Wario
Wiggler
Yoshi

Mario Kart World tracks

New Mario Kart screenshot

(Image credit: Nintendo)

We’ve only seen a few Mario Kart World tracks in action – also called courses – with some returning from previous titles, while others are brand new to the series. Here’s what’s been revealed so far:

Mario Bros. Circuit
Crown City
DK Spaceport
Whistlestop Summit
Desert Hills (DS)
Shy Guy Bazaar (DS)
Wario Stadium (N64)
Airship Fortress (DS)
DK Pass (DS)
Starview Peak
Sky-High Sundae (Tour)
Wario Shipyard (3DS)
Koopa Troopa Beach (SNES)
Faraway Oasis
Peach Stadium
Moo Moo Meadows (Wii)
Bowser’s Castle

Mario Kart World: FAQs

Is Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 only?

Yes, Mario Kart World is being developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. It will not be available on the previous console.

Can you pre-order Mario Kart World?

You can now pre-order Mario Kart World in select region. Currently, it’s the UK that’s seeing the most Mario kart pre-order pages going live. We’ll update once we see it come to the US and other regions. For now, check out our how to pre-order the Switch 2 article for more details.

Does Mario Kart World have splitscreen?

Mario Kart World does indeed have splitscreen. You can also play online, though a Nintendo Online subscription will likely be required.

Mario Kart World news

Nintendo confirms the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers have been ‘designed from the ground up’ and I couldn’t be happier
Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 controllers have been redesigned, hopefully, to avoid potential stick drift.

During an exclusive hands-on preview of the Nintendo Switch 2, TechRadar Gaming asked Technology Development Division general manager Tetsuya Sasaki if any improvements have been made to prevent Joy-Con stick drift.

Sasaki responded, confirming that the new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers have been completely redesigned for smoother gameplay.

Mario Kart World has been revealed
Mario Kart World has now been officially revealed, and it’s a launch title!

Mario Kart World teased
What we now know to be Mario Kart World was first teased during the first look at Nintendo Switch 2 event. We only saw a brief glimpse of gameplay, but it certainly got the internet talking.