Following its initial debut at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct earlier this month, Mario Kart World hosted its own Direct this morning to reveal more about the game’s interconnected world. The 15-minute presentation showed why the Switch 2 exclusive is the biggest Mario Kart game in series history, aiming to justify its $79.99 USD price tag, which has been at the center of controversy.
From the game’s unveiling and subsequent Nintendo Treehouse events, we already know Mario Kart World features a series-first interconnected world where players can drive virtually anywhere. Today’s Direct unveiled P Switches in the Free Roam mode, which players can trigger to take on hundreds of missions outside of races. It’ll be interesting to see how simple or robust these missions are and whether or not Mario Kart World will offer the same depth as a Forza Horizon game. My guess is that it’ll have a very Nintendo approach to it all: simplified with a focus on fun.
The Mario Kart World Direct also gave us a look at Battle Mode, which is more hectic than ever. Those who have been playing Mario Kart since its first entry on the SNES will be happy to hear that Balloon Battle is in the game, along with Coin Runners. We also learned a bit more about Yoshi’s, where racers can pass by to pick up Dash Food. These meals will give a speed boost and sometimes unlock outfits for characters. No exact number has been revealed for how many dishes and outfits are in the game, but it looks to be plenty for collectors to find.
As for courses, Mario Kart World will obviously feature new courses, like Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Starview Peak, and Boo Cinema. Many courses from previous Mario Kart games have been reimagined to fit inside the new open world, so expect some fresh experiences on classic tracks. Nintendo is still being a bit shy about the total number of characters but has confirmed what we’ve already seen: familiar faces and new ones, including Goomba, Spike, and Cow.
For some racers, items are the most important part of a Mario Kart game and Mario Kart World features a selection of new and returning items. Players can look forward to the Coin Shell, which knocks rivals off course while making coins appear—coins that gradually increase the speed of whoever collects them. There’s also the Ice Flower, which will send players spinning, and the Hammer that can nail another racer or briefly block their path. Other examples Nintendo talked about include the Mega Mushroom, which makes racers grow really big to squash their rivals; the Feather, which lets them jump to new heights; and Kamek, who can transform other racers into something surprising, causing unexpected chaos on the entire course. As is tradition in Mario Kart, the lower your position, the more likely you’ll get items that can turn the tables.
Whether or not Mario Kart World is worth $79.99 USD boils down to how much the open-world design appeals to you. But considering Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold over 67 million units as of December 31, 2024, we don’t really think Mario Kart World is going to have any issues selling, despite its higher price.
Mario Kart World launches on June 5 along with the Switch 2 console.
