Get ready to rev your engines and race across 32 thrilling tracks in Mario Kart World, the largest and most ambitious entry in the beloved series yet. From the sun-soaked Mario Bros. Circuit to the bustling urban streets of Crown City, and the iconic Rainbow Road, this game offers a dazzling mix of new courses and reimagined classics that will keep up to 24 racers on the edge of their seats. Launching exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World promises fresh mechanics, expansive free-roaming, and a global racing adventure like no other.
According to the Direct, Mario Kart World will allow players to “drive virtually everywhere” in its “fully connected world.” In other words, players will have the option to essentially drive from course to course and explore the larger world freely.
Players might be able to drive wherever they want now, but it is still a Mario Kart game and a major draw will be its wild, whimsical race tracks. Given that, here are all courses that have been confirmed so far for Mario Kart World, including new courses and returning ones.
All confirmed new courses in Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World introduces a thrilling lineup of new courses that expand the series’ iconic racing experience. Among the confirmed new tracks are Mario Bros. Circuit, featuring a southwestern desert vibe; Crown City, a bustling urban metropolis with multiple routes; Salty Salty Speedway, set alongside scenic canals; Starview Peak, a magical icy mountain illuminated by auroras; and Boo Cinema, a spooky drive-in movie theater environment. Additional new courses teased include Whistlestop Summit, DK Spaceport, Faraway Oasis, and Peach Stadium, each offering unique themes and challenges. These fresh tracks blend seamlessly with the game’s open-world design, allowing players to explore and race through diverse and imaginative settings exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title.
The Direct officially confirmed a whole boatload of completely new tracks with original concepts. We didn’t get to look at all of them closely (some were just shown in menu screens and the stream merely teased the return of a Rainbow Road course), but we do have a stronger idea of some new themes and courses to expect.
Given that, here is every new track confirmed for Mario Kart World so far, which you can see images of above:
- Mario Bros. Circuit – A track with ridges and a southwestern theme
- Crown City – Bustling city where you drive through urban settings
- Salty Salty Speedway – Set in a city with water canals that looks inspired by Venice, Italy
- Starview Peak – A new magical ice-filled world where you drive with auroras in the sky
- Boo Cinema – A haunted drive-in theater
The following courses were shown in the Direct but not with additional imagery:
- Whistlestop Summit
- DK Spaceport
- Faraway Oasis
- Peach Stadium
All confirmed returning courses in Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World brings back a host of classic courses from previous Mario Kart games, reimagined with updated visuals and integrated into the game’s expansive open world. Among the confirmed returning tracks are fan favorites such as Toad’s Factory, Peach Beach, Desert Hills, Wario Stadium, Airship Fortress, DK Pass, Sky-High Sundae, Wario Shipyard, Koopa Troopa Beach, Choco Mountain, Dino Dino Jungle, Moo Moo Meadows, Shy Guy Bazaar, and Mario Circuit. These tracks span various Mario Kart installments, offering nostalgic racing experiences alongside the new content. Some returning courses even appear with different layouts in multiple cups, enhancing replayability and variety for players.
In addition to completely new courses, Mario Kart World will also bring back retro tracks from previous Mario Kart games. According to the direct, these courses have been “re-imagined” and spread throughout the world of the game and players can race on them during the night or day.
Here is every returning track coming to Mario Kart World, which you can see images of above for those Nintendo showed footage of:
- Toad’s Factory (Mario Kart Wii)
- Peach Beach (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)
- Desert Hills (Mario Kart DS)
- Shy Guy Bazaar (Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart Tour)
- Wario Stadium (Mario Kart 64)
- Airship Fortress (Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart 7, and Mario Kart Tour)
- DK Pass (Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart Tour)
- Sky-High Sundae (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Kart Tour)
- Wario Shipyard (Mario Kart 7)
- Koopa Troopa Beach (Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart Tour)
Could Mario Kart World’s new courses redefine racing excitement on Switch 2
Mario Kart World’s new courses on the Nintendo Switch 2 could indeed redefine racing excitement by blending classic thrills with bold innovations. The game connects tracks into one continuous journey, allowing players to drive freely between races and explore expansive, dynamic environments like the bustling Crown City and the eerie Boo Cinema. This open-world approach, combined with fresh modes like the intense Knockout Tour featuring 24-player elimination races, promises a more immersive and strategic racing experience. New tracks, reimagined classics, and innovative power-ups such as the Ice Flower and Hammer further shake up gameplay, while a Free Roam mode invites players to explore and interact with the world at their own pace. These features mark a significant evolution from previous Mario Kart titles, suggesting that Mario Kart World could set a new standard for racing games on the Switch 2.
How will the open-world design change my racing experience on Switch 2
The open-world design in Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2 transforms the racing experience by turning traditional isolated tracks into one vast, interconnected environment where players can freely drive between races and explore diverse biomes like Mushroom Jungle and Bowser’s Volcanic Fortress. This seamless world allows for off-road driving, rail grinding, and wall jumps, adding verticality and new traversal mechanics that deepen gameplay beyond standard racing. The inclusion of a Free Roam mode lets players cruise, discover secrets, and interact with friends at their own pace, enhancing replayability and social engagement. Additionally, dynamic weather and day/night cycles influence track conditions and visibility, requiring racers to adapt strategies on the fly. With up to 24 players competing simultaneously across sprawling courses and open areas, the game delivers more chaotic and unpredictable multiplayer races, making each competition feel fresh and immersive. Overall, this open-world approach shifts Mario Kart from a series of discrete races to a living, breathing racing world that blends exploration and competition in unprecedented ways.
