Mario Kart World version 1.3.0 made Free Roam easier to navigate and its collectibles easier to track. The map shows P Switches you have run over and Peach Medallions you have collected, and selecting a P Switch lets you move to a nearby location. The update also changed UFO encounters and some Peach Medallion appearance conditions. It was released on 24 September 2025; it is not the game’s latest update.
Free Roam map changes make P Switches easier to revisit
In version 1.3.0, the Free Roam map began displaying P Switches you had run over and Peach Medallions you had obtained. You can select a P Switch on the map and move to a location near it, which gives you a direct way to return to its area instead of searching for it again. Nintendo’s patch notes do not say that the map marks P Switches you have not yet activated or Peach Medallions you have not collected.
UFO encounters and transformations
Nintendo says UFOs are easier to encounter in Free Roam after the update, but the notes do not quantify the change. When a UFO pulls in a character, you can transform into that character. This transformation is disabled if the Dash Food setting is set to “Doesn’t transform.”
Some Peach Medallion appearance conditions changed
Version 1.3.0 adjusted the appearance conditions for some Peach Medallions. Nintendo did not identify which medallions were affected or describe the revised conditions, so the update notes do not provide a specific new route or requirement to follow.
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- 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
Other changes in version 1.3.0
Playing while waiting for a full online session
If you could not join a friend because an online Race, Knockout Tour, or Battle session was full, up to two players could play Free Roam while waiting. The update also made it possible to join friends playing Knockout Tour.
Adjustments and fixes
Nintendo adjusted spectating controls, the wait for item boxes to reappear, and some post-crash invincibility timing. The notes also list fixes involving online rankings, movement, pipes, and other issues.
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
Version 1.3.0 is not the latest update
Nintendo’s regional support pages show different points in the update history. Its ZA page dates version 1.3.0 to 24 September 2025, while its Americas page lists version 1.8.0, released 9 September 2026, as the latest update as of 8 October 2026. Check the official page for your region for the applicable version and release date.
To update, connect your Nintendo Switch 2 to the internet, highlight Mario Kart World on the HOME Menu without starting it, open Software Update, and choose the internet option. Nintendo says the update must be installed to use the game’s internet features; online play also requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. See Nintendo’s Americas update instructions and version history or its ZA support page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A variety of playable characters are available, some with unique attributes that affect gameplay and platforming physics.
- Younger and less-experienced players will love playing as Toadette, who is brand new to both games, and Nabbit, who was formerly only playable in New Super Luigi U. Both characters offer extra assistance during play.
- Multiplayer sessions are even more fun, frantic, and exciting thanks to entertaining character interactions. Need a boost? Try jumping off a teammate’s head or getting a teammate to throw you.
- Features a wealth of help features, like a Hints gallery, reference videos, and a Super Guide in New Super Mario Bros. U that can complete levels for you if they’re giving you trouble.
- Three additional modes—Boost Rush, Challenges, and Coin Battle—mix up gameplay and add replayability, while also upping the difficulty for players who want to try something harder. Players can use their Mii characters in these modes.
Rank #4
![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
Rank #3
- [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.
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