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Mario Kart World version 1.3.0 added a way to join friends in Knockout Tour, let up to two players use Free Roam while waiting for a full online group, and adjusted Free Roam, race pacing, and several gameplay bugs. Nintendo’s North American support page dates the update to September 23, 2025. It is a historical update, not the current version: Nintendo lists version 1.8.0, released September 9, 2026, as latest on its update history.
How to join friends in Knockout Tour
In 1-player mode, select Online Play, then Friends to join friends playing Knockout Tour. This was the update’s main multiplayer addition.
When an online Race, Knockout Tour, or Battle group was full, up to two players could wait while playing Free Roam instead of simply waiting in the lobby.
Spectating and race transitions
- In online or wireless Knockout Tour and Balloon Battle, spectators holding Joy-Con 2 or a Joy-Con horizontally could choose whom to watch.
- Nintendo shortened the time between finishing and spectator mode starting in Knockout Tour and Balloon Battle.
- In Wireless Play and LAN Play Knockout Tour, the delay between passing a checkpoint and seeing the rankings was reduced.
Free Roam changes
- The map showed P Switches the player had activated and Peach Medallions collected. Players could select a P Switch on the map to move near it.
- Players could transform into the character taken by a UFO, unless the Dash Food controller setting was set to “Doesn’t transform.”
- UFO encounters were made easier, and Nintendo adjusted the appearance conditions for some Peach Medallions.
Gameplay tuning
- Item boxes respawned sooner after being taken.
- The invincibility period after spinning or crashing was increased.
- Landing on a rival from above caused a less forceful jump.
- Lap-type courses became more frequent in the next-course selection for VS Race and wireless races.
Bugs fixed in version 1.3.0
Nintendo’s changelog describes fixes across rankings, items, movement, course behavior, and online play. The listed issues include:
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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
- Online and wireless rankings could be incorrect when a player went off course while crossing the finish line.
- CPU rankings could drop after finishing in Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, and VS Race.
- Knockout Tour ratings could appear as zero in online results.
- Spiny Shells could pass the first-place player or send players flying backward.
- An item could remain in the second item slot after Lightning.
- Players could make an unexpectedly large jump at the base of a pillar, encounter unstable water wall rides, be swept away after a mini-jump in a river, or fall through the ground after being hit by a road car.
- In Free Roam, players could have trouble entering a pipe after exiting a trailer. In online Free Roam, exiting a pipe could prevent them from reaching course selection.
- Balloon Battle results could be distorted after spectating.
- Bullet Bill could pass through walls at Sky-High Sundae or Bowser’s Castle.
- Players could get stuck at the start of the Airship Fortress to Shy Guy Bazaar race.
- Smart Steering could make item boxes difficult to pick up at Cheep Cheep Falls, and an item box could be buried in Spiny Rally.
Nintendo also says that several other issues were addressed; it does not itemize those additional fixes on the update page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Release date and current version
Nintendo’s North American support page records version 1.3.0 as released September 23, 2025. Nintendo’s UK page gives September 24, 2025, reflecting a regional date difference. As of October 8, 2026, Nintendo’s North American update history lists version 1.8.0, released September 9, 2026, as the latest version. See Nintendo’s How to Update Mario Kart World for its update history and full change log.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
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Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - US Version
- 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)
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
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.
Rank #2
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Mario Kart World Game Bundle
- 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
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.
