The recent Nintendo Direct event for Mario Kart World gave eager fans a deeper look into what to expect from the next entry in the long-running racing series. Mario Kart World is bringing forth a fun variety of tracks, characters, and new gameplay modes, making it an exciting evolution of the franchise.
Since the Mario Kart franchise stars some of the most notable mascots from the Super Mario universe, it only makes sense for the game's character roster to be one of the biggest questions asked by players. The confirmation of the Moo Moo Meadows cow as a playable racer thrilled many Nintendo lovers. However, there is one anticipated character that has been revealed as an item, not a racer.
The Pros and Cons of Mario Kart World’s Approach to Outfits
Mario Kart World introduces many brand-new character outfits, but Nintendo could still make this addition more convenient for players.
Kamek Will Serve as an Item in Mario Kart World, Not a Racer
This beloved Magikoopa wizard has been a father figure to Bowser, and his presence in the first trailer for Mario Kart World made a lot of fans wonder if he would be added as a racer. For those hopeful that Kamek would be included as a playable character, that unfortunately won't be the case. This isn't entirely bad news, though. Instead of being put in the driver's seat, Kamek has been confirmed as an item. Even better, he looks to be an item that will bring a lot of fun, chaotic moments to the track.
Kamek's first appearance was in Super Mario 2: Yoshi's Island back in 1995.
Kamek Could Prove to Be One of the Best Items in Mario Kart World
- Kamek can transform other drivers on the track.
- Nintendo has yet to confirm all the types of transformations Kamek is capable of.
Because of his status as a powerful wizard, Kamek getting to use his powers on the track makes perfect sense. It's likely that the full extent of Kamek's magic has yet to be seen, and it makes him one of the most interesting items right now. Kamek could be filled with surprises, and that is sure to make the first few races in Mario Kart World feel incredibly exciting. This extra dose of chaos seems primed to make races with friends hilariously frustrating at times.
Other Confirmed Items for Mario Kart World
- Coin Shell
- Ice Flower
- Hammer
- Mega Mushroom
- Feather
The various items being brought to Mario Kart World are exciting, and they are bound to add an extra layer of action to the track. While they all look interesting in their own right, Kamek might be one of the shining features. Mario Kart World aims to bring its replayability to the next level, and Kamek, combined with these other items, promises just that.
Mario Kart World's modes include Grand Prix, Time Trials, Knockout Tour, VS Race, Balloon Battle, Coin Runners, and Free Roam.
Gamers Won't Have to Wait for Mario Kart World Much Longer
- Mario Kart World launches alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.
- The Switch 2 is being sold for $450, but a bundle can also be purchased for $500 that includes Mario Kart World.
The Switch 2 may have faced controversy since the April 2 Nintendo Direct showcase, but there are still a lot of fans who are excited to jump into a new Mario Kart game. Thankfully, for those particularly eager to try out the new tracks and modes, Mario Kart World's launch is only a short wait.
2025 is continuing to be a year filled with massive releases, and the Switch 2 launching alongside fresh exclusives is shaking up the industry. As the weeks continue, it will be exciting to see if Nintendo reveals anything else about Mario Kart World ahead of its launch.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- June 5, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
