Mario Kart World: Nintendo Direct lifts lid on Switch 2 game

Buckle up... Mario Kart is finally going open world. Nintendo used its latest Direct to reveal more details about Mario Kart World (MKW), the first new entry in the smash hit racing series since 2014 and the flagship launch title for the upcoming Switch 2 console.

More than just a series of laps, MKW lets players race across an interconnected map, weaving between courses, braving dynamic weather, and hunting for off-road shortcuts and secrets.

It’s no wonder it’s earning comparisons to Forza Horizon, while its transforming karts - which sprout wings and skim across water - sound like they’ve been lifted straight from fellow open-world arcade racer, Lego 2K Drive. But will this new world feel like a living, breathing playground, or just empty scenery?

Here’s what we learned from the Nintendo Direct.

After several teasers and short previews of the game, the latest online showcase gave us our first in-depth look at the game.

The biggest reveal? The courses. Players will tear through tracks like Mario Bros. Circuit and Crown City, complete with multi-lane motorways and a bustling main street.

There’s also Salty Speedway, where canals slice through the track; the slippery slopes of Starview Peak; and Boo Cinema, a haunted cinema that snakes across several floors. Classic tracks are also making a comeback, with remixed favourites like Toad’s Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario’s Galleon back on the grid.

Complete all the cups in Grand Prix and you’ll get a shot at Rainbow Road. Yes, the fan-favourite course is back but, frustratingly, Nintendo didn’t offer a peek at its new design.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Mario Kart without a colourful roster. Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Yoshi all return, joined by Goomba, Spike, Cow, and Lakitu. Every character and vehicle comes with its own unique stats, so choose wisely.

Items are getting a shake-up too. A new Coin Shell leaves a golden trail of coins in its wake, Ice Flowers freeze enemies, and Hammer lets you hurl hammers that stick in the ground. There’s also Mega Mushroom and Feather (for jumping and dodging attacks), while classic items like Bullet Bill, and Lightning also make the cut, along with a new twist that sees Kamek transform your rivals, much like the Wonder Flower from Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

Nintendo’s also tuned the controls for all skill levels. Auto-accelerate and smart steering look ideal for learner drivers, along with motion-based tilt controls, which are especially handy when using the Joy-Con wheel.

And if you’re feeling peckish, Yoshi’s Drive Thru lets you unlock character outfits inspired by your meal, like a sushi set that rewards you with a stylish kimono.

The gameplay is also packed with new tricks. A charge jump lets you hop onto rails, pull off wall rides, and dodge attacks. Skilled players can chain tricks together for stylish combos, Tony Hawk-style. If you mess things up, a new rewind feature lets you undo mistakes - though your rivals will keep racing, so you’ll still be left playing catch-up.

And for the speed demons, Time Trials lets you go solo, with online leaderboards and the option to take on ghost data from players worldwide.

Of course, it’s the multiplayer modes where the series shines. MKW supports both local multiplayer (up to four players on one console) and online races - now with a major upgrade. The new GameChat feature lets you talk to friends in real-time using the console’s built-in mic, share your screen mid-race, and even start face-to-face video chats with a compatible USB-C camera.

So far, Nintendo has shown off a game that looks even more chaotic than its predecessors. Races are stuffed with 24 drivers, both offline and online (not quite as jam-packed as F-Zero 99, but still recklessly overcrowded), with wider racks, more alternate routes, and just way more moving parts in general.

Get ready to dodge everything from oncoming traffic to galloping giraffes and hammer-happy Koopa Troopas as you blaze towards the finish line.

Mario Kart World launches on June 5 alongside the Switch 2, and will cost £67 for the digital version and £75 for the physical edition.