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To unlock all 18 characters that Nintendo Life lists as unlockable in Mario Kart World, complete seven specific Grand Prix cups and use Kamek transformations or, from version 1.3.0, Free Roam UFO captures for 11 others. The game is for Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo’s game page identifies the title and platform.
Which characters do the Grand Prix cups unlock?
Complete the listed Grand Prix cup to unlock its character. Nintendo describes each Grand Prix cup as four races; in Mario Kart World, courses are connected, so progress includes driving between them. Nintendo’s announcement explains the cup format.
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| Character | Grand Prix cup |
|---|---|
| Daisy | Flower Cup |
| Rosalina | Star Cup |
| Donkey Kong | Mushroom Cup |
| Bowser Jr. | Lightning Cup |
| King Boo | Leaf Cup |
| Birdo | Banana Cup |
| Lakitu | Shell Cup |
The cup-to-character mapping is reported by Nintendo Life’s guide, published July 1, 2026. Read the full guide.
How do you unlock the other characters?
Nintendo’s official tips confirm that some characters unlock through Kamek item transformations. Nintendo Life’s July 1, 2026 guide lists the same group as unlockable through Kamek transformations or Free Roam UFO captures:
#1 Best Overall
- 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
- Coin Coffer
- Conkdor
- Chargin’ Chuck
- Cheep Cheep
- Fish Bone
- Dolphin
- Cataquack
- Peepa
- Spike
- Pianta
- Swoop
Nintendo’s tips explain the Kamek route but do not specify how to target a particular character. See Nintendo’s character and gameplay tips. Treat Kamek transformations as an additional route rather than a way to select a specific unlock.
Use a UFO in Free Roam
Nintendo Life says the UFO method was added in version 1.3.0. In Free Roam, find a UFO and drive beneath it to board. Its beam can pick up an NPC character; absorbing that character unlocks it. The guide does not establish a guaranteed encounter frequency or course-specific schedule, so it is not possible to promise where or when a UFO will appear.
Rank #2
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- 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
Do Dash Food or outfits unlock characters?
No: Dash Food can give a speed boost and may unlock an outfit for the character you are using, but outfits are cosmetic options for existing characters, not additional base characters. Nintendo notes that not every character has extra outfits. Free Roam can help you find different regional food types. Nintendo’s tips cover Dash Food and outfits.
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Nintendo Life’s guide reports 50 unique playable racers when costumes are excluded: 18 unlockable and 32 initially available. Nintendo’s official pages cited here confirm the general unlock methods but do not provide a complete roster count. The totals and detailed roster above are therefore attributed to Nintendo Life’s July 1, 2026 guide, not presented as a count published by Nintendo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
Rank #4
- [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.
Rank #3
![Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zaiyfzDeL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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
Quick route checklist
- For Daisy, Rosalina, Donkey Kong, Bowser Jr., King Boo, Birdo, and Lakitu, complete their corresponding Grand Prix cups in the table.
- For the 11 NPC characters, use Kamek transformations or look for the Free Roam UFO route described for version 1.3.0.
- Keep outfit unlocks separate from character unlocks: Dash Food outfits do not add a new racer.
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