Mario Kart World Is Real – And It's Going Full Open World

Get ready, racers. Nintendo has officially taken the wheel off the rails. During the April 17 Mario Kart World Direct, the gaming giant dropped the biggest bombshell in franchise history—Mario Kart is going open world. Yes, Mario Kart World is real, massive, and it’s racing exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

Here’s everything you need to know about this groundbreaking entry in the iconic series.

A Truly Interconnected Racing World

Forget lobbies and menus. In Mario Kart World, you drive seamlessly across a living map—spanning cities, deserts, forests, and oceans.

Weather shifts on the fly. Day turns to night. Your journey isn’t just about winning races anymore—it’s about exploring, discovering, and driving into the unknown.

No load screens. No downtime. Just pure karting freedom.

Grand Prix, Reinvented

This isn’t your old-school four-track cup anymore. Nintendo has reimagined Grand Prix. You now drive from one course to the next, racing through landscapes that connect each classic track in real-time.

Imagine finishing Rainbow Road, cruising through a moonlit desert, and rolling straight into Boo Cinema without ever hitting pause. That’s the new flow. It’s continuous, immersive, and feels like a true journey.

Knockout Tour Mode – Eliminate or Be Eliminated

Want more edge to your races? Try Knockout Tour Mode. This intense, globe-spanning challenge sees you facing elimination at checkpoints.

Fall behind? You’re out. Keep up, and you live to drift another lap.

It’s a high-stakes, high-speed mode made for players who thrive on tension.

Free Roam with Friends (Or Solo!)

Exploration is now a full feature. In Free Roam, you can drive anywhere—on your own or with your crew.

Find hidden shortcuts, unlock bonus characters, or just vibe in Crown City at night. This mode offers a chill, sandbox feel while still keeping that classic Mario Kart charm.

Up to 24 Racers – Local & Online Madness

You read that right. 24-player races are happening.

Whether you’re linking Switch 2 consoles in person or racing online with the world, the chaos just got double the fun. Expect more bumping, more blue shells, and way more bragging rights.

New & Iconic Tracks Return

Confirmed tracks include:

Mario Bros. Circuit
Salty Salty Speedway
Toad’s Factory
Boo Cinema
Crown City
And of course, Rainbow Road

Each course blends into the overworld, making the map feel alive and layered.

Roster Expansion: New Faces Join the Race

The character lineup is bigger than ever.

Classic racers like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser return. But now they’re joined by:

Spike
Penguin
Conkdor

Nintendo teased there are dozens of racers to unlock—including surprise legacy characters.

Power-Up Overhaul

New items include:

Coin Shell – Boosts your coin count and speed
Mega Mushroom – Returns for some smashing fun
Feather – Perfect for cheeky shortcut jumps

Also, look out for new camera options, accessibility upgrades, and built-in voice chat through GameChat.

Release Date & Launch Details

Launch Date: June 5, 2025
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive)
Bundles: Switch 2 + Mario Kart World console bundles available on day one

Final Lap: Why This Is Huge

Mario Kart World isn’t just a sequel. It’s a bold evolution of the franchise. Open-world exploration. Huge multiplayer races. And modes that push competitive play in exciting new directions.

Nintendo is turning the series into a full-blown karting universe—and we’re absolutely here for it.