Mario Kart World might have the most extensive character roster of any Mario Kart game, but some of these deep cuts, like Fish Bone, are truly unexpected.

Nintendo wants Mario Kart World to be the reason players buy a Switch 2. But can it really convince us to pay $80 for a game and $450 for a new console?

On Wednesday, Nintendo held a big Direct dedicated to the upcoming Switch 2. The new console is set to launch on June 5 and will cost $450. And one of the launch games for the console is Mario Kart World, a big, sprawling kart racer that looks like a lot of fun. But uh, what the heck is Mario drinking in that can?

Mario Kart World is the first Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive title and it will launch on the same day as the console.

Mario Kart World gives players another option for dodging the blue shell in races, but it might not be very easy to pull off.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct provided a bounty of knowledge regarding the new console from Nintendo, including a first look at some Nintendo Switch 2 games coming – one being Mario Kart World, the iconic racing game series' first-ever open-world entry.

The first new Mario Kart in a decade is packed with stuff.

Yes, the new Mario Kart World will exclusively be available on the Nintendo Switch 2. Both the game and the console will release on June 5, 2025. Mario Kart World will cost $79.99, or you can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99. The Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 for the console alone.

Well, we've now had the opportunity to put together some footage - showing the newest entry in the Mario Kart series alongside the existing Switch entry (and juggernaut) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Mario Kart World has all sorts of extra attention to detail and generally just looks a lot crisper on the new and more powerful Switch system.