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How Multiplayer Works in Mario Kart World: Local, Wireless, and Online Play

Mario Kart World supports one-system multiplayer, local Wireless Play without internet, and online sessions with up to 24 players. Here’s how to set up each option.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Mario Kart World has three main ways to play with others: share one Nintendo Switch 2, connect nearby consoles with Wireless Play, or race online. One console supports up to four players; nearby wireless groups can include up to eight, and online sessions can include up to 24. Wireless Play does not need internet, while Online Play requires both an internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online.

Choose a multiplayer setup

Setup Players What you need Best for
Multiplayer on one system 2–4 in a multiplayer session; the Nintendo eShop listing counts solo play in its 1–4 total One Nintendo Switch 2, the game, and a controller for each player People playing together on one screen
Wireless Play 2–8 total, with up to 2 players per system Nearby Nintendo Switch 2 systems and a copy of the game for each participating system; no internet connection People in the same place who have more than one console
Online Play 2–24 total, with up to 2 players per system Internet access and a Nintendo Switch Online membership Playing with friends who are not nearby, or joining online sessions
LAN Play Nintendo lists a LAN option; its support instructions do not state a player count Use the LAN option in the mode-selection screen. Nintendo’s cited instructions do not specify cabling or network requirements. Groups seeking a LAN connection rather than Wireless Play

Nintendo’s game listing describes capacities including solo play, while its multiplayer setup guide walks through sessions with two or more players. The figures above distinguish the listing’s total capacity from the multiplayer setup steps.

Play with two or more people on one Switch 2

One system supports up to four players in Multiplayer. A Joy-Con 2 can be used horizontally as a single-player controller; players can also use a Joy-Con 2 pair. The system includes a Joy-Con 2 pair, so add compatible controllers if your group needs more controllers than you have.

  1. At the title screen, press L and R.
  2. Choose Multiplayer.
  3. Choose the number of players, then have each player assign a controller.
  4. Choose a mode and configure its rules.

For local play, Nintendo lists Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, VS Race, and Battle. CameraPlay is optional: ordinary multiplayer does not require a camera.

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#1 Best Overall
Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2)
  • Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
  • Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
  • Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
  • Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
  • Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam

Connect nearby consoles with Wireless Play

Wireless Play connects multiple nearby systems without an internet connection. A group can have two to eight players, with no more than two playing on a single system. Each participating system needs a copy of the game.

  1. At the title screen, press L and R, then choose Wireless Play.
  2. Choose whether one or two players will use that system.
  3. One player creates a room; players on other nearby systems join it.
  4. Choose a mode and set up the session.

Nintendo recommends that players with their own game copy update to the latest software version. Wireless Play is the option to choose when the group is together but needs separate screens or wants more than four players.

Rank #2
Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]
  • Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
  • Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
  • Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
  • Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode

Play online with friends

Online Play supports two to 24 players, with up to two players joining from each system. It requires an internet connection and a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo’s setup guide provides these steps:

  1. At the title screen, press L and R, choose Online Play, and select one or two players for your system.
  2. Choose a public online option or Friends.
  3. For a private gathering, create a room or join one using the host’s six-digit Room ID.
  4. Once friends are together, the host sets the rules and starts a race or battle.

Friends in a room can meet in Free Roam while waiting. Nintendo says players can find friends on the map and warp to them. If someone leaves during a race, a CPU takes their place temporarily; the player can return to Free Roam.

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Rank #3
Nintendo Mario Kart World Racing Game for Nintendo Switch 2 (Hong Kong Version) (Mario Kart World)
  • [SEAMLESS OPEN WORLD] Experience an interconnected racing environment with zero loading screens between courses. Navigate a massive world featuring 24-hour dynamic day/night cycles and shifting weather patterns that directly impact vehicle traction and handling across mountains and cities.
  • [ADVANCED RACING MECHANICS] Master all-new maneuvers including high-speed rail riding, wall jumping, and tactical water skimming. These next-gen traversal abilities allow players to discover hidden shortcuts and alternate routes within a 100% seamless world-map architecture.
  • [24-PLAYER ELIMINATION MODE] Compete in the high-stakes Knockout Tour, an adrenaline-packed 24-driver elimination mode where racers are removed checkpoint by checkpoint. Supports up to 24-player online multiplayer with integrated GameChat for real-time social coordination.
  • [NEXT-GEN TECHNICAL SPECS] Optimized exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 system to deliver stunning 4K Ultra HD resolution in docked mode and a locked 60FPS frame rate. Features enhanced texture mapping and global illumination for the most immersive visual experience in series history.
  • [OPEN-WORLD EXPLORATION] Step away from the Grand Prix in the all-new Free Roam mode to wander the world at your own pace. Discover hidden surprises, unlockable vehicle parts, and brand-new drivers across diverse biomes including dense forests and sprawling urban landscapes.

Online options include Race, Knockout Tour, and Battle. Knockout Tour also has team play, announced in a Nintendo update.

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Modes, GameChat, and CameraPlay

Race and battle modes

Local Multiplayer includes Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, VS Race, and Battle. Online setup offers Race, Knockout Tour, and Battle. Nintendo describes Grand Prix and Knockout Tour as modes with up to 24 racers; that race-field figure is distinct from the player limit for a particular local setup.

Rank #4
Sale
Puyo Puyo Tetris - Nintendo Switch
  • Ferocious Competition - At the heart of Puyo Puyo Tetris is the fighting spirit of players competing against each other to be most clever, cunning, and quick-witted one to set up devastating attacks on opponents. It's the classic easy-to-learn puzzles mashed up into a multiplayer battle like no other!
  • Adventure Mode - The game also has a single player mode with ten unique acts, eatch with ten stages. They feature different characters from the Puyo Puyo or Tetris universes and have unique challenges to learn and master game mechanics that players must overcome!
  • Arcade Modes - Online play has Puzzle League, which tracks players' ratings, players can save replays to upload and share, and more.
  • There's also an in-game shop players can use their points to unlock different Puyo and Tetrimino skins, background music, stages, and more.

GameChat

GameChat adds voice chat and screen sharing while playing or exploring. Nintendo’s launch-era announcement said it would be available without a Nintendo Switch Online membership until March 31, 2026. That temporary period has ended; Nintendo’s current store listing and support information say a membership is required for online features, including GameChat.

CameraPlay

CameraPlay can show players’ faces in the game. It is optional and requires a compatible USB camera, such as the separately sold Nintendo Switch 2 Camera. Nintendo Support says one camera can show up to four players locally; online, up to eight faces can appear using cameras on as many as four consoles. See Nintendo’s CameraPlay instructions.

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Best Value
Sale
Mario Kart™ World with Nintendo Joy-Con™ 2 Wheel Racing Bundle (Set of 2 Wheels)
  • Race through an interconnected world of courses spanning mountains, forests, and cities with dynamic weather patterns and day/night cycles.
  • Experience intense 24-driver elimination races in Knockout Tour mode, where racers compete checkpoint by checkpoint until one champion remains.
  • Master new racing techniques including rail riding, wall jumping, and water skimming to find the fastest route to victory.
  • Explore the vast world at your own pace in Free Roam mode, discovering hidden surprises and alternate paths.
  • Enhance your racing experience with magnetic Joy-Con 2 Wheel accessories, providing secure and realistic steering control.

Switch from Wireless Play to LAN Play

Nintendo’s support guide exposes LAN Play from the mode-selection screen: hold L and R, then click the left stick to change Wireless Play to LAN Play. Nintendo’s cited instructions do not spell out the LAN cabling or network setup, so check the relevant console and network guidance before relying on a particular arrangement.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2)
Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2)
Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world; Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
$79.00
Bestseller No. 2
Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]
Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]
Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world; Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
$79.99
SaleBestseller No. 4

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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