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The new Mario Kart game for Nintendo Switch 2 is Mario Kart World. Nintendo revealed it as a connected-world racing game, and it launched alongside the console on June 5, 2025. It is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.
What makes Mario Kart World different?
Nintendo describes the game as a vast environment where courses connect and routes between them become part of the race. Rather than treating every track as an isolated destination, the game links courses through a continuous world of mountains, forests, and cities. Nintendo’s official overview also highlights changing weather, a day-and-night cycle, rail riding, wall jumps, and skimming across water. Nintendo’s Mario Kart World overview explains those world and course features.
That connected layout is central to Nintendo’s framing: in its June 5, 2025 launch announcement, the company called the world the racetrack. Nintendo’s launch announcement introduced the game as the latest console Mario Kart in over a decade.
Modes and ways to play
| Mode | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Races link courses, with routes between them forming part of the competition. Nintendo says Grand Prix can include up to 24 drivers. |
| Knockout Tour | A 24-driver elimination mode in which drivers are knocked out at checkpoints. |
| Free Roam | Explore the world solo or online; Nintendo says it includes hundreds of single-player missions. |
| Battle | A separate battle mode. Nintendo’s cited launch announcement does not specify more detail here. |
| VS Races | Nintendo says VS Races can include up to 24 drivers. |
Nintendo lists three multiplayer options: split-screen for up to four players on one console, local wireless play, and online play. Online features require internet access, a Nintendo Account, and Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo said GameChat was free through March 31, 2026; after that date, a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for GameChat.
#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
CameraPlay is optional
CameraPlay and video chat require a compatible USB-C camera, sold separately. The camera is an optional accessory, not a requirement for ordinary Mario Kart World gameplay. Nintendo included these details in its launch announcement.
Launch and bundle context
Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 both launched on June 5, 2025. At launch, Nintendo listed the game at a U.S. suggested retail price of $79.99 and a U.S. Switch 2 bundle containing the console and a digital copy of the game at $499.99. Those are historical Nintendo-published U.S. launch prices, not current retailer quotes.
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
Nintendo later announced separate bundles with different terms. Its August 25, 2026 U.S. announcement said a Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle would arrive in late September 2026 for $549.99, including the console, a full game download, and a 90-day Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership. Nintendo described that as a $37.98 saving against buying the items at their suggested retail prices individually, while noting savings may vary and supply is limited. The same announcement says the standard U.S. Switch 2 suggested retail price becomes $499.99 on September 1, 2026. These are time-sensitive U.S. details; see Nintendo’s U.S. bundle announcement for the offer.
A different offer is Japan-only: Nintendo’s October 6, 2026 announcement scheduled a Japanese-language Switch 2 system bundle for November 12, 2026. It includes a download code for a choice of Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, or Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, at an announced suggested price of ¥63,980 including tax. It is not a U.S. or worldwide offer. Details are in Nintendo’s Japan-only bundle announcement.
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
What the early sales figure means
Nintendo reported that Switch 2 sold over 3.5 million systems worldwide in its first four days after the June 5, 2025 release, describing it as the highest global sales level for any Nintendo hardware in its first four days. This is a console sales figure, not a Mario Kart World unit-sales figure; Nintendo’s total included the Mario Kart World set and other Japan-only configurations. Nintendo’s June 11, 2025 corporate release gives the figure and its scope.
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.
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.
