The recent showcase of Mario Kart World has provided fans with an exciting glimpse at the game’s expansive roster of tracks. This installment promises to introduce a wealth of innovative courses, which is a refreshing change. While it’s always enjoyable to revisit classic favorites, the sheer volume of new content is particularly thrilling. It’s apparent that Mario Kart World is set to deliver fresh experiences in both course design and gameplay mechanics.
In addition to the introduction of new tracks, Mario Kart World features an exciting new racing format and a free-roam exploration mode. These enhancements signal a significant evolution for the franchise and position Mario Kart World as a compelling launch title for the anticipated Switch 2. Although not all tracks have been revealed yet, the latest Nintendo Direct offered a substantial preview of what players can expect.
Confirmed Courses in Mario Kart World
A Total of 16 Courses Have Been Confirmed
The recent Nintendo Direct provided an impressive showcase of content available in Mario Kart World, which can be viewed on Nintendo’s YouTube channel. Among the highlights were confirmations of at least 16 new courses displayed in the game’s menu alongside dynamic gameplay footage. The following list outlines the confirmed courses:
- Mario Bros Circuit
- DK Pass
- Moo Moo Meadows
- Peach Stadium
- Crown City
- Whistletop Summit
- DK Spaceport
- Desert Hills
- Shy Guy Bazaar
- Wario Stadium
- Airship Fortress
- Sky-High Sundae
- Starview Peak
- Wario Shipyard
- Koopa Troopa Beach
- Faraway Oasis
- Dino Dino Jungle*
While most course titles were explicitly revealed in the trailer, it’s noteworthy that the beloved Dino Dino Jungle from GameCube’s Mario Kart: Double Dash was not included in the initial announcement. However, gameplay footage unmistakably features recognizable sections of this level, further confirming its inclusion. As the preview was not exhaustive, several Cups remain undisclosed, leaving fans eager for more.
The new course designs feature exciting gameplay innovations such as karts transforming into boats to navigate water sections, rail grinding, and wall-running mechanics. Although there was no mention of the anti-gravity courses familiar to players of Mario Kart 8, anticipation builds regarding possible returns of these mechanics. Overall, the new tracks and racing styles create a buzz of excitement among the community.
Confirmed Mario Kart World Cups
Seven Cups Have Been Confirmed Thus Far
Mario Kart World retains a mix of traditional Cup formats familiar to longtime players, which can be accessed through the Grand Prix mode. Notably, a new race format called the Knockout Tour is introduced, requiring players to navigate multiple courses while competing against one another, with the lowest-scoring racers being eliminated at designated checkpoints. Currently, two of the eight Knockout Tours have been named: the Golden Rally and the Ice Rally. Here’s the full list of confirmed Cups and Rallies:
- Mushroom Cup
- Flower Cup
- Star Cup
- Shell Cup
- Banana Cup
- Leaf Cup
- Lightning Cup
- Golden Rally
- Ice Rally
While not all Cups’ course lineups have been detailed yet, it’s reasonable to assume a format similar to previous iterations, where new maps populate the Mushroom, Flower, and Star Cups, while the retro courses are predominantly found in the Shell, Banana, Leaf, and Lightning Cups. It’s worth noting that the retro courses, such as Moo Moo Meadows, appear to be entirely reimagined rather than mere reproductions. This vibrant and immersive approach could well eclipse any hesitations regarding the Switch 2’s pricing.
Source: Nintendo/YouTube