There's a New Mario Kart Game. It Looks Awesome

Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 is loaded with new tracks and characters, including an open-world mode. And it only costs $80! (Sarcasm)

Mario Kart World

Photo by: Nintendo

Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Apr 5, 2025 at 10:00am ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

With the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 comes a new Mario Kart. And it looks like a ton of fun. Dubbed Mario Kart World, the latest installment in the franchise promises to be bigger, better, and more exciting than ever.

Naturally, there’s a ton of new content packed into this latest Mario Kart game. Nintendo says each race will have 24 racers, and there will be various new game modes like Knockout Mode, online multiplayer mode, and for the first time, a Free Roam open-world option where drivers can venture "virtually everywhere," Nintendo said in a statement.

You’ll still be able to use all your favorite drivers, like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and many more. But there are a whopping 48 playable characters in total in Mario Kart World, including some truly obscure options.

The Para-Biddybuds from Super Mario 3D Land get their own vehicles, as do the Snowmen from Super Mario 64, and the Sidesteppers from Mario Bros. And yes, even the Dolphins and Penguins from Super Mario are playable characters, for some reason.

Here’s what the full list of characters looks like (with the new players noted in italics):

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

Of course, it wouldn’t be Mario Kart without dozens of wacky circuits to race on. The list includes favorites like Wario Stadium, Koopa Troopa Beach, and although unconfirmed, it’s extremely unlikely Nintendo decides to ditch Rainbow Road (unless everyone has finally gotten fed up).

Here’s what the confirmed track list looks like thus far, according to NintendoLife.com:

Mushroom Cup Flower Cup Star Cup Shell Cup Banana Cup Leaf Cup Lightning Cup Mario Bros. Circuit Desert Hills DK Pass Koopa Troopa Beach TBD TBD TBD Crown City Shy Guy Bazaar Starview Peak Faraway Oasis TBD TBD TBD Whistlestop Summit Wario Stadium Sky-High Sundae Crown City TBD TBD TBD DK Spaceport Airship Fortress Wario Shipyard Peach Stadium TBD TBD TBD

What do you think?

View

Comments

The latest Mario Kart game will be available when the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025. But here’s the kicker: Mario Kart World costs $80 for the digital version and $90 for the physical game. That’s quite a bit pricier than the $60 Nintendo (and most other companies) typically ask for their games.

But if you're as much of a Mario Kart fan as we are, it seems like it will be worth it. Hopefully.

Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2

Source: Nintendo