Mario Kart World For Switch 2: Release Date, 24-Player Races, $80 Price, And Everything We Know

During the April Nintendo Direct, the company fully unveiled Mario Kart 9 as Mario Kart World, and during an April 17 Direct dedicated to the game, we learned a whole lot more.

Mario Kart World is a successor to Mario Kart 8, and it's coming to the Switch 2 this June as a launch title. Players can also grab the game by way of a $500 Switch 2 bundle that includes the console and a digital copy of the racing game.

Here's everything we know so far about Mario Kart World, including details about Nintendo opting to charge $80 for the game.

When Will Mario Kart 9 Be Released?

As expected, Mario Kart World is going to be a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, which means it will arrive on June 5 alongside the console.

Mario Kart 9 platforms

Mario Kart World is a launch title for the Nintendo Switch, arriving on June 5. It is exclusive to the Switch 2 and will not be available on the original Switch console.

Mario Kart World Characters

The Mario Kart World trailer showed off popular returning characters like Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Donkey Kong, along with new ones like Lil Penguin from Super Mario 64 and the Cow from Moo Moo Meadows. For more, check out GameSpot's rundown of all the confirmed Mario Kart World characters so far.

Preorder Mario Kart World

Preorders for Mario Kart World are not yet open in the US, due in part to Nintendo's decision to delay preorders of the system and games due to Trump's tariffs. It's rumored that preorders will open later in April, but nothing is confirmed yet.

$80 Price

One of the biggest takeaways from the April 2 Nintendo Direct was that Mario Kart World will carry an $80 price point for its digital edition. Nintendo later defended the price point, saying what the game offers is worth $80.

Some believed that a price increase in gaming above $70 was coming, but that it would be GTA 6 to kick off the trend. Now, it's been confirmed that Mario Kart World may be the first major new release to up the ante. The $500 Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle may now be the most economical option for those who want a console and the game. Buying the Switch 2's standard version for $450 and a copy of Mario Kart World for $80 would come out to $530 before tax. Nintendo has said the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle is only being offered until Fall 2025, while supplies last.

See all Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, accessories, and games at:

• Walmart
• Target
• GameStop
• Best Buy

Mario Kart World Trailer

Following a brief teaser that premiered in January, the April 2 Nintendo Direct delivered the goods when it came to showing off Mario Kart World. In addition to showing more of the 24-player races--the highest player count ever for the series--the trailer revealed returning and new characters. But the April 17 Direct focused on Mario Kart World specifically really opened the lid--check out the full 15-minute video below (and read on for further specifics we learned from the presentation).

Interconnected World

Perhaps the biggest thing to know about Mario Kart World is that, unlike all past entries in the series, the game features an interconnected world. The courses are all connected, and players will drive between them, with dedicated paths that take players from one to the next. In the Free Roam mode (more on that later), players are free to traverse the entire map however they want, by themselves or with friends.

Mario Kart World New And Returning Modes

Knockout Tour

Mario Kart World has a new battle royale-like Knockout Tour mode where players race through back-to-back courses and checkpoints. If a player cannot reach a checkpoint in a certain position, they get knocked out.

Free Roam

There is also a new Free Roam mode where players can zip off the track and drive almost anywhere they want. Nintendo described this as more of a zen offering where players can drive around leisurely, or even together with friends to take in the sights. The Free Roam mode also has a variety of "missions" to perform and unlockables to collect, so players can do more than just wander aimlessly in the world.

Battle Mode

Then there is the return of Battle Mode, which has two styles. In Ballon Battle, players do not race to the end of a track, but instead zip around and try to take players down by smashing them with items to remove their balloons until all are gone. Another Battle Mode variant is called Coin Runners, and this has players collecting as many coins as possible and trying to hold onto them as rivals try to hit them with items to take them away.

Grand Prix

Of course, Mario Kart's iconic Grand Prix mode returns as well. Players will compete to earn the most points (based on finishing positions) across four courses. In a new twist for Mario Kart World, the courses are all connected, and players drive from one course to the next. "The areas between courses are part of the race, too," Nintendo said.

Time Trials

Time Trials is coming back, too, allowing players to race against ghosts. Players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership can access online ghost data from players around the world, too.

The Nintendo Direct also spotlighted the new team-based races in Mario Kart World--this time around, players can assemble in up to four different teams, composed of human and AI characters.

24-Player Count

Mario Kart World supports up to 24 players in a single race, the most in franchise history. That will seemingly lead to some frenetic and hectic matches.

What's more, split-screen is coming back for Mario Kart World, allowing up to four players to compete on the same TV. It's expected the frame rate will dip in this scenario, like it did for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Mario Kart World also brings back the ability to race in Teams, with as many as four teams in VS mode. The game has online support too, of course, as well as split-screen support for local play.

New Karts And Food Items

The Mario Kart World trailer highlighted new types of karts, including jet skis, along with updated standard karts and bikes. There is also a sequence in the trailer showing a player grinding on a rail with sparks flying from their wheel, suggesting this may be a new way to obtain a speed boost. At another point, we see a character driving into the bed of an 18-wheeler, then taking control of the massive vehicle to run down players in the way. We also saw a player take control of a giant submersible vehicle.

Another new feature is the ability to visit an in-race side-of-the-road restaurant, Yoshi's, where players can consume items like steak, burgers, and sushi. Eating these items unlocks special character costumes that are available permanently.

New Tricks And Rewind Feature

Mario Kart World also seems to take a page out of the Forza Horizon playbook with not just its open world, but a new Rewind feature. Like in Forza, players can rewind if they make a mistake or want another chance to reach a certain path. However, all other competitors continue while you're Rewinding, so using the feature comes with a risk-reward calculus to be done. It appears the feature is limited to single-player races and Free Roam.

Mario Kart World also adds new tricks. Players can use a new Charge Jump move to vault onto rails that players can grind on, or to avoid attacks. Players can also use this new move to jump toward a wall to ride it for a short period of time. Players can also chain wall-rides together to access hidden routes.

Mario Kart 8's "roadside assistance" features are back in Mario Kart World as well, including things like Smart Steering (to keep you on the course), Auto-Accelerate (to automatically drive forward for you), and Tilt Controls when using a Joy-Con.

New Items

Mario Kart World includes lots of new items, too. The Coin Shell disperses coins on the track ahead of you to collect, but rivals can grab these, too. The Ice Flower, meanwhile, is a throwable fire-ball-style item that freezes an enemy if it lands, and also sends them spinning. The Hammer item gives players the ability to chuck hammers in front of them to disrupt other players. Players can strategically throw them to block the path of other players. The Mega Mushroom is exactly what it sounds like--consume this and you become huge and are capable of smushing enemies. The Feather item can be used to jump up to avoid attacks or even access parts of a course that would otherwise be out of reach. The Kamek item, meanwhile, summons the Magikoopa, who flies ahead and transforms enemies into other beings, and also has some mysteries that will be unveiled later, Nintendo said.

These are some of the new items for Mario Kart World, but it also brings back series staples like Bullet Bill, Lightning, Star, Green and Red shells, and lots more.

Mario Kart World Courses

Mario Kart World features new courses like Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Starview Peak, and Boo Cinema, while classic courses from previous games are coming back, reimagined for Mario Kart World. Some of these include Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard. Additionally, Rainbow Road is returning as an unlockable course. Additionally, Mario Kart World courses have day and night settings, along with changing weather systems.

Switch 2 GameChat Support

One of the Switch 2's new system features, GameChat, will be supported for Mario Kart World. This allows players to use the console's built-in microphone to chat with people as they play. Users can also connect the new Switch 2 Camera (or a USB-C camera they may already own) to chat with friends in real time over video as they play. "It's like you're zooming around together," Nintendo said. Mario Kart World's use of the camera also allows players to put their face into races in real time, so players can see the human face of who they are racing against.

GameChat support for Mario Kart World is free until March 31, 2026, after which players will need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to use the feature.

New Joy-Con 2 Steering Wheel

Mario Kart World can be played with Joy-Con controllers or a Pro controller, while steering-wheel attachments are supported as well. Nintendo created a new Joy-Con 2 Steering Wheel controller for Mario Kart World, which will be sold for $20 in a two-pack (one blue and one red). Players place their Joy-Con 2 controller into the wheel, and it locks in magnetically.

Who's Developing Mario Kart World?

Mario Kart World is expected to be developed internally at Nintendo, with Nintendo EAD and Nintendo EPD, the developers of Mario Kart 8, likely the teams responsible for the sequel. However, there's been a recent trend with Nintendo as of late in which it does not reveal developers in advance, leaving it to players to discover the details in the credits upon release.

Will There Be DLC?

Nintendo made no mention of any post-launch DLC plans for Mario Kart World during the April 2 or April 17 Directs. Nintendo offered a Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 that introduced a whopping 48 additional courses and numerous characters across multiple DLC waves. However, there is no word as of yet regarding Nintendo's plans or lack thereof for more courses and characters for Mario Kart World over time as DLC.