Mario Kart World: Switch 2 Launch Title, Trailer, 24-Player Races, Free Roam Mode, And Everything Else We Know

Following a tantalizing teaser that provided a first look at the next Mario Kart game back in January, Nintendo has now fully unveiled Mario Kart 9 as Mario Kart World. Revealed during the April 2 Nintendo Direct broadcast, 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. It is exclusive to the Switch 2.

Preorder Mario Kart World

Preorders for the Switch 2 open on April 9, and that’s when you’ll be able to reserve the $500 Switch 2 bundle that includes Mario Kart World. As for preorders for the game itself, it’s expected these will open on April 9 as well.

$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 has not elaborated as to why it’s raising prices, but prices going up is a trend people are facing for most products and services these days. US retailer listings from companies in the US suggest the physical edition will also be $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 seems 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.

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. All the main ones you’d expect are coming back, including the Mario brothers, DK, and Peach. In terms of new racers, it seems you’ll be able to play as a cow and a Goomba.

Mario Kart World New Features

In addition to 24-player races, the Mario Kart World debut trailer highlighted a new 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, so this sort of feels like a battle royale mode in a way. 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 Mario Kart World trailer also 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 in the trailer 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. Other new features seem to include the ability to consume items to change costumes mid-race.

Mario Kart World Direct Coming Up

Nintendo will share many more details on Mario Kart World during a Nintendo Direct event scheduled for April 17 at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET, so keep checking back for more.

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. 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 for a two-pack (one blue and one red). Players place their Joy-Con 2 controller into the wheel, and it locks in magnetically, much like peripherals we’ve seen on other Nintendo systems

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 characters like Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Donkey Kong. Here is a rundown of some of the characters fans have spotted in this trailer and the previous one released in January:

• Mario
• Luigi
• Donkey Kong
• Rosalina
• Toad
• Daisy
• Bowser
• Peach
• Baby Mario
• Wario
• Yoshi
• Toadette
• Waluigi
• King Boo
• Birdo
• Koopa Troopa
• Pauline
• Baby Luigi
• Baby Peach
• Baby Daisy
• Baby Rosalina
• Bowser Jr.
• King Bomb-Omb
• Some Cow
• A Goomba

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.

Will There Be DLC?

Nintendo made no mention of any post-launch DLC plans for Mario Kart World during the April 2 Nintendo Direct. 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 regardingNintendo’s plans or lack thereof for more courses and characters for Mario Kart World over time as DLC.