Mario Kart World comes out June 5. Are you ready to race? (Nintendo)
Mario Kart World, the ninth edition of Nintendo's beloved racing game, comes out today. And while fans of the games (and perhaps the movie, and the Universal theme park rides) can expect to see a lot of familiar Mario Kart elements, there's also plenty of new stuff to look forward to — and a whole new Nintendo device to secure so you can play. Here’s everything you need to know before playing Mario Kart World, including where you can pre-order the game, how to get the Nintendo Switch 2, new game modes, confirmed courses and more.
Mario Kart World comes out on June 5 in conjunction with the Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are open now for the new game.
The cost of the new Mario Kart game starts at $79. You can also bundle the game with the new device you'll need to play it. The Nintendo Switch 2 on its own costs $450, or with the game bundle, $499 — saving you $30 on Mario Kart World.
Mario Kart World will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, so if you were wondering, "Can I play the new Mario Kart game on my original Nintendo Switch?" the answer, unfortunately, is no. You can, however, order a bundle that includes the new Mario Kart World game and the Nintendo Switch 2.
You can bundle the Nintendo Switch 2 and the new Mario Kart World game together and save $30 as opposed to purchasing the two separately.
Here are the game courses confirmed by Nintendo so far:
Airship Fortress
Boo Cinema
Cheep Cheep Falls
Choco Mountain
Crown City
Desert Hills
Dino Dino Jungle
DK Pass
DK Spaceport
Faraway Oasis
Great ? Block Ruins
Koopa Troopa Beach
Mario Bros. Circuit
Moo Moo Meadows
Peach Beach
Peach Stadium
Rainbow Road
Salty Salty Speedway
Shy Guy Bazaar
Sky-High Sundae
Starview Park
Toad's Factory
Wario Shipyard
Wario Stadium
Whistlestop Summit
The new Mario Kart game features two flagship modes: Grand Prix mode, which consists of a series of four races in pursuit of the podium and a Cup (of which there are seven), and Knockout Tour mode, where you race in elimination-style matches.
There are also Time Trials, Vs. Race, Battle Mode and Free Roam, which allows you to drive around and explore the whole of Mario Kart World.
There's rumor of a Reverse mode after characters were spotted racing in reverse in a Japan-only Mario Kart World ad. Perhaps an unlockable mode to replace Mirror mode? Time will tell if that rumor proves true.
Mushroom Cup
Flower Cup
Star Cup
Shell Cup
Banana Cup
Leaf Cup
Lightning Cup
The number of players you can have in Mario Kart World varies for each multiplayer mode. The game can have four players in split-screen multiplayer, and up to eight players (via local wireless multiplayer) if four players have their own Nintendo Switch 2s. Up to 24 players can get in on the action in online multiplayer or battle mode.
Classic characters and newcomers will be available to race in the new Mario Kart game, including:
Mario
Luigi
Peach
Daisy
Yoshi
Toad
Wario
Waluigi
Bowser
Koopa Trooper
Rosalina
Pauline
Baby Mario
Baby Luigi
Baby Peach
Baby Daisy
Lakitu
Toadette
Bowser Jr.
Baby Rosalina
Shy Guy
Donkey Kong
Birdo
King Boo
Wiggler
Dry Bones
New:
Nabbit
Cow
Goomba
Coin Coffer
Hammer Bro
Conkdor
Piranha Plant
Chargin’ Chuck
Sidestepper
Cheep Cheep
Snowman
Monty Mole
Rocky Wrench
Penguin
Dolphin
Fish Bone
Stingby
Para-Biddybud
Peepa
Pokey
Cataquack
Swoop
Spike
Pianta
