Get Ready to Race: Mario Kart World Launches on Switch 2 with Groundbreaking Features and a $80 Price Tag

Mario Kart World will be launching exclusively with the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5. The simultaneous release of this new installment in the franchise was announced during the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, where an exciting new feature was unveiled: off-road driving.

Indeed, Mario Kart World enables players to “drive just about anywhere.” This implies that you can glide down railings, leap off walls, and even veer off the designated racing pathway. There is also a mode called Free Roam where you can casually drive around, soaking in the vistas with friends. Count me in as I take to the roads with my perennial choice, Yoshi, joyfully exploring the world.

As expected from a title like Mario Kart World, the tracks will be set in various areas connected within a unified gaming environment. Moreover, Nintendo is enhancing the experience by varying elements based on the time of day and weather conditions.

For a four-race Grand Prix, Nintendo requires players to actually drive between courses. How well you perform during these transitions will influence your positioning in the overall standings. There’s also a new mode called Knockout Tour, which takes racers around the globe with elimination markers along the route. You need to maintain a position above the one displayed on-screen, such as being in eighth place, or you’ll be disqualified from the race. And let’s not forget that the number of racers has increased to 24, heightening the competition.

A new Mario Kart title for the Switch 2 has been anticipated. We got our initial glimpse of a potential Mario Kart game earlier this year in January, when Nintendo previewed the Switch 2. Currently, a detailed preview is available on Nintendo’s website, including a trailer on YouTube (below).

Regrettably, this same announcement revealed a less thrilling aspect: the game will be priced at an impressive $80 upon its release on June 5. However, a bundle that includes the game and the Switch 2 console will be available for $500, allowing you to save $30.

Nintendo intends to share additional details regarding Mario Kart World in another Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 17.

Updated 12:21PM ET to include information on pricing and package offers.

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