"New Racing Event": Nintendo potentially introduces a competition featuring Mario and friends.
Mario Kart World, the latest instalment in the popular racing series, is set to revolutionise the Mario Kart experience with its ambitious open-world design and advanced mechanics, exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
## Open-World Structure and Map
The game abandons the traditional, isolated tracks of previous Mario Kart games in favour of an interconnected, open-world map. The entire game takes place on a single, continuous landmass, featuring various areas and biomes, similar to games like Fortnite. The 32 tracks are linked by seamless roads, creating a more organic and dynamic racing experience, allowing exploration and discovery between races.
## New Gameplay Mechanics
The introduction of rail grinds, wall rides, on-the-spot jumps, and haptic feedback adds depth and complexity to races, providing players with new opportunities for finding shortcuts, optimising racing lines, and executing strategic manoeuvres.
## Additional Features and Modes
Mario Kart World introduces a new racing format called Knockout Tour, featuring endurance races with elimination. Up to 24 players can participate, doubling the previous maximum. Online races can accommodate up to 24 global participants, significantly increasing the potential for chaos and excitement during races.
The game also features a robust unlock system, with characters, decorative stickers, and alternate costumes available by completing cup races or achieving specific in-game milestones. Stickers can be used to personalise karts, adding a new layer of customisation.
## Visual and Technical Improvements
The game boasts enhanced graphics and animations, with improved lighting and more expressive character animations. The new abilities and handling changes create a racing experience that is both accessible and rewarding for skilled players, with more opportunities for strategy and execution.
With the separately available camera for the Nintendo Switch 2, player faces can be displayed in both online and local modes. The new gamechat feature introduces a voice chat function for free until March 31, 2026, after which a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release on June 5th, and Mario Kart World promises to be a flagship title for the new console. The game also features a classic Grand Prix mode with new elements, including connected race sections, and two new control mechanics, Charge Jump and Rewind, to enhance the driving experience.
Eight devices can play locally, with two players per device, and the game features a mix of new tracks and heavily reimagined classics, offering fresh experiences for both new and veteran players. New items include Coin Box, Ice Flower, Hammer, Super Mushroom, Feather, Kamek's Magic, Dash Food, and Changeable Outfits. New tracks include Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Starview Peak, and Boo Cinema.
Mario Kart World blends classic Mario Kart fun with open-world freedom and advanced mechanics, resulting in one of the most ambitious and innovative entries in the series to date.
In Mario Kart World, in addition to exploring the vast, interconnected open-world map, players can express their individuality by personalizing their karts with decorative stickers, which are unlockable rewards. Furthermore, socializing with others is easier than ever with the new gamechat feature and the ability to display player faces in both online and local modes.
