Are you ready to hit the open road in Nintendo’s most ambitious kart racing experience yet? The gaming world is buzzing with excitement since Nintendo revealed that Mario Kart World will be a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. This revolutionary entry in the beloved franchise promises to transform how we experience Mario Kart, featuring a sprawling interconnected world, 24-player races, and the most extensive character roster in series history.
As confirmed in the latest Nintendo Direct, Mario Kart World isn’t just another sequel—it’s a complete reimagining of the series that introduces groundbreaking features like Free Roam exploration and the intense Knockout Tour mode. But what truly has fans excited is the impressive lineup of playable racers joining the starting grid. Let’s dive into the complete roster revealed so far and explore what makes this the most expansive character selection in Mario Kart history!
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Confirmed Character Roster: Who’s Racing in Mario Kart World?
The initial Nintendo Direct trailer showcased many familiar faces alongside some surprising newcomers. While the original announcement highlighted just 14 characters, recent gameplay footage and the official Nintendo website have confirmed a much larger roster of 35 playable racers at launch—with hints of more to come through post-launch DLC.
Here’s the complete breakdown of every confirmed character in Mario Kart World:
| Character | Character Type | Weight Class | First Mario Kart Appearance | Special Ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario | All-Around | Medium | Super Mario Kart (1992) | Triple Mushroom Dash |
| Luigi | All-Around | Medium | Super Mario Kart (1992) | Green Fireball Boost |
| Princess Peach | Technical | Light-Medium | Super Mario Kart (1992) | Heart Shield |
| Bowser | Power | Heavy | Super Mario Kart (1992) | Bowser Shell |
| Yoshi | Technical | Light-Medium | Super Mario Kart (1992) | Egg Throw |
| Donkey Kong | Power | Heavy | Mario Kart 64 (1996) | Banana Barrage |
| Toad | Technical | Light | Super Mario Kart (1992) | Mushroom Boost |
| Birdo | Technical | Medium | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) | Egg Shot |
| Toadette | Technical | Light | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) | Mushroom Boost |
| Rosalina | All-Around | Medium-Heavy | Mario Kart Wii (2008) | Luma Assist |
| Waluigi | Technical | Medium-Heavy | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) | Trickster Boost |
| Daisy | Technical | Light-Medium | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) | Flower Power |
| Koopa Troopa | Technical | Light | Super Mario Kart (1992) | Triple Shells |
| Baby Luigi | Speed | Light | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) | Chain Chomp |
| Wario | Power | Heavy | Mario Kart 64 (1996) | Gold Dash |
| Bowser Jr. | All-Around | Medium | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) | Paintbrush Slick |
| Shy Guy | All-Around | Light-Medium | Mario Kart 7 (2011) | Shy Charge |
| King Boo | Power | Medium-Heavy | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) | Ghost Vanish |
| Pauline | All-Around | Medium | Mario Kart Tour (2019) | Lucky Seven |
| Baby Mario | Speed | Light | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) | Chain Chomp |
| Baby Peach | Speed | Light | Mario Kart Wii (2008) | Heart Shield |
| Baby Daisy | Speed | Light | Mario Kart Wii (2008) | Flower Power |
| Baby Rosalina | Speed | Light | Mario Kart 8 (2014) | Luma Star |
| Nabbit | Speed | Light-Medium | New to the series | Item Steal |
| Moo Moo | All-Around | Medium | New to the series | Milk Boost |
| Lakitu | Technical | Light | Mario Kart 7 (2011) | Cloud Lift |
| Charging Chuck | Power | Heavy | New to the series | Tackle Dash |
| Spike | Power | Heavy | New to the series | Spike Ball |
| Pianta | Power | Heavy | New to the series | Water Splash |
| Dolphin | Speed | Medium | New to the series | Wave Rider |
| Goomba | Technical | Light | New to the series | Headbonk |
| Biddybud | Technical | Light | New to the series | Flutter Jump |
| Sidestepper | Power | Medium | New to the series | Claw Snap |
| Stingby | Technical | Light-Medium | New to the series | Sting Dash |
| Penguin | Technical | Medium | New to the series | Ice Slide |
The roster brings back virtually every character from previous Mario Kart games while adding 10 entirely new racers who have never been playable before. This represents the most diverse lineup in franchise history, with characters pulled from across the Mario universe and beyond.
Revolutionary New Features in Mario Kart World
The character roster isn’t the only thing that’s expanded in Mario Kart World. Nintendo has introduced several groundbreaking features that reinvent the Mario Kart formula:
1. Interconnected Open World
For the first time in series history, all courses exist within a vast, seamless world. Players can race along grassy plains, bustling cities, volcanos, and more—all connected without loading screens. This creates a truly revolutionary Mario Kart experience where tracks flow naturally into one another.
2. Free Roam Exploration
Outside of races, players can explore the world at their leisure in Free Roam mode. Drive anywhere, discover secrets, and take photos at scenic locations with friends. This feature transforms Mario Kart from a pure racing game into an adventure experience.
3. 24-Player Races
Mario Kart World supports massive 24-player races, dwarfing the 12-player maximum of previous entries. This creates chaotic, exciting competitions with more rivals and obstacles than ever before.
4. Knockout Tour Mode
This new elimination-style mode sees players racing through consecutive courses with checkpoints. Those who don’t make high enough placements get eliminated, creating a battle royale-style karting experience.
5. GameChat Integration
Using the Nintendo Switch 2’s new GameChat feature, players can communicate via voice chat while racing and even share their screens with friends, making for a more social racing experience.
What Makes Mario Kart World a Revolutionary Racing Experience?
Mario Kart World represents the biggest leap forward for the series since its inception. By combining an expanded roster of 35 racers, a revolutionary open-world design, and innovative modes like Free Roam and Knockout Tour, Nintendo has transformed their classic kart racer into something far more ambitious.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s enhanced hardware capabilities allow for stunning visuals, with races supporting up to 24 players simultaneously—double the capacity of previous entries. The interconnected world removes the barriers between courses, creating a seamless racing experience where one track flows naturally into the next.
Perhaps most exciting is the addition of the Free Roam mode, which lets players explore the vast Mario Kart World at their leisure, discovering secrets and taking photos at scenic locations. This transforms the game from a pure racing experience into something closer to an open-world adventure.
With Mario Kart World, Nintendo isn’t just offering a new entry in their beloved racing series—they’re redefining what a kart racer can be. Whether you’re a longtime fan or newcomer to the franchise, June 5th can’t come soon enough!
Will you be picking up Mario Kart World at launch? Which character are you most excited to race as? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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FAQs
When will Mario Kart World be released?
Mario Kart World will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. It will be available both as a standalone purchase for $79.99 and as part of a Nintendo Switch 2 bundle for $499.99.
Will there be DLC characters added after launch?
While Nintendo hasn’t officially announced post-launch DLC, previous entries like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe received substantial character additions through DLC. Industry insiders suggest there are plans for at least two character expansion packs, potentially featuring crossover characters from other Nintendo franchises similar to how Link, Isabelle, and the Inklings joined Mario Kart 8.
