Summary

  • "NPC" racers like Cow won't have unlockable costumes, unlike mainline characters in the game.
  • Players can unlock costumes in free roam mode by visiting different regions and eating Dash Food items.
  • Mario Kart World features a larger roster of playable characters and new features like a free roam option.

Mario Kart World features a much larger roster of playable characters, though Nintendo confirmed that a portion of them won't be able to take part in one new game feature. Following its full reveal earlier this year, Mario Kart World looks to be evolving the fan-favorite franchise in new ways.

While it still features the weapon-based racing fans have come to expect, Mario Kart World is tweaking the formula by expanding races to 24 characters, offering an open world to explore, and essentially letting players travel to each course between races. However, one of the biggest changes is the new expansive roster of characters, adding a variety of NPC characters to Mario Kart World like Cow from the Moo Moo Farms course. As exciting as the reveal was for these new characters, Nintendo recently confirmed a disappointing detail about them.

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Nintendo Makes Unexpected Change to Mario Kart World Days Before Launch

Nintendo makes an unexpected change to Mario Kart World mere days ahead of the arrival of its biggest Switch 2 launch exclusive.

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While many of these new roster characters have become a big hit with fans, these "NPC" racers won't be able to use Mario Kart World's new costume feature, which was initially reported by ComicBook. So, while Nintendo has shown mainline characters like Mario and Yoshi dressed up as Bikers, Mariachis, and in other regional-style outfits, this popular feature won't apply to the likes of Cow, Cataquack, and Chargin' Chuck, to name a few.

Mario Kart World "NPC" Racers Don't Have Unlockable Costumes

The new outfits caught the attention of fans and, as Nintendo described it, these new costumes can be unlocked in the free roam mode. Essentially, while exploring the various regions in the game, players can visit Yoshi's restaurant drive-thrus and pick up Dash Food. The food is treated like an item and once eaten by players, their character will transform into a new costume based on the location. Better yet, once obtained, the costume is then unlocked permanently in Mario Kart World.

While Nintendo has previously detailed the various game modes like Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, and Free Roam, there appears to be more that the company hasn't revealed yet. A Japanese ad for the game seemed to tease that players would get access to some sort of Mirror Mode in Mario Kart World. The classic franchise feature lets players race the courses in reverse, giving a different perspective.

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Mario Kart World Tag Page Cover Art

Mario Kart World
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Racing
Open-World
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
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Released
June 5, 2025
ESRB
Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Nintendo
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Hit the open road with Mario and friends! Zip around courses in a vast world where everything is connected. Race along grassy plains, bustling cities, wide-open waters, big ol' volcanos, and more—plus everything in between.

A sprawling world of courses. Speed across plains, cities, water, volcanos, and much more. Everything is connected!

Go beyond the course. There's more to racing than just the course. Hop off the course and race the distance to the next one!

Free Roam - Drive wherever your heart takes you. Where to? That's up to you! Take off in any direction in this new mode. Explore areas that pique your interest, and maybe even snap some in-game pics at scenic spots.

Play Together - Have a blast with friends, whether near or far. Up to 4 players can race on the same system. Play using your choice of button controls or motion controls. Attach a Joy-Con 2 controller to the optional Joy-Con 2 wheel accessory to wheely feel like you're driving. You can also play using Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers connected wirelessly.

Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
Prequel(s)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Franchise
Mario Kart
Number of Players
1-24
Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
June 5, 2025
Genre(s)
Racing, Open-World
Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch 2