Mario Kart World is setting the stage for something truly unprecedented as it prepares to debut as a launch title for the Switch 2. For the first time in the franchise’s history, up to 24 players can hit the tracks simultaneously, promising a chaotic yet exhilarating racing experience. This substantial increase in racer count naturally calls for a broader selection of characters. Consequently, Nintendo has decided to open the racetrack to almost every character and entity from the Mario universe. From the lovable Moo Moos to the skeletal Fish Bones (that’s right, the reanimated carcasses of Cheep Cheeps), the game places no restrictions on who can grip the wheel in this latest installment that follows Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Rest assured, all your favorite classic racers are set to make a return. Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Toad, and Toadette — they’re all back, ready to race with gusto. However, in an exciting twist, some unexpected guests are also getting their racing licenses. Dolphins and penguins — those beloved creatures from the Super Mario saga — are joining the fun, appearing simply as Dolphins and Penguins. Joining them are the islanders known as Piantas from “Super Mario Sunshine,” the fluttery Para-Biddybuds from “Super Mario 3D Land,” the frosty Snowmen from “Super Mario 64,” and the quirky Sidesteppers from the classic “Mario Bros.” With such an eclectic cast, Mario Kart World is poised to offer an entirely new level of racing mayhem and merriment.