The video game scene is buzzing with the announcement of Mario Kart 9, also called Mario Kart World, the flagship game for the launch of the brand new Nintendo Switch 2. After years of rumors and anticipation, Nintendo has finally unveiled this highly awaited title, revealing an official release date set for June 5, 2025, thus setting the stage for a new era for the most famous racing franchise in the world. The promised innovations, from the expanded multiplayer mode with up to 24 participants to the open world in the Ride mode, are generating excitement among fans and video game experts alike. While the special Direct dedicated to Mario Kart World took place on April 17 and the full Switch 2 presentation captivated players from April 2, exciting details about gameplay, visual novelties, and racing conditions were revealed, giving new life to this joyful and competitive universe.
This expected upheaval in the philosophy of circuits and game modes reconnects with Nintendo’s commitment to constant innovation, while paying tribute to Mario Kart’s legacy, whose previous version, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, holds the record for the best-selling racing game with over 67 million copies sold. This new iteration is therefore part of the continuity of a series that has conquered several generations of players, while integrating cutting-edge technologies and a refreshed approach to competition, both in solo and online modes. The impact of this revelation is such that it invites revisiting expectations around the game, the commercial strategy with a revised price, and the unprecedented possibilities offered by the Switch 2 in terms of power and interactivity.
- 1 A significant official announcement: Mario Kart 9 as the emblematic title of the Switch 2
- 2 Release date set for June 5, 2025: a must-attend event for Mario Kart fans
- 3 Major gameplay innovations in Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2
- 4 A more immersive visual and sound return: the graphic identity of Mario Kart 9
- 5 Higher price: Nintendo’s pricing policy for Mario Kart World
- 6 A legacy to respect: the succession of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- 7 Multiplayer and connectivity: a qualitative leap for Mario Kart 9
- 8 Future prospects and impacts for the Nintendo ecosystem in 2026
A significant official announcement: Mario Kart 9 as the emblematic title of the Switch 2
When a new console is released, the launch game is often crucial to establish its success. Nintendo did not miss this by placing Mario Kart 9, simply named Mario Kart World, at the heart of the official Switch 2 announcement. The reveal took place in two key moments: first, the spectacular presentation of the console on April 2, 2025, followed by a Direct dedicated to the new installment on April 17. These events gave the game all the necessary spotlight, with gameplay demonstrations offering a first concrete glimpse of the major innovations to be found at release.
This marketing strategy recalls that of the original Switch launch, where Mario Kart 8 Deluxe dominated the call content criteria. Here, Nintendo confirms its choice to capitalize on a flagship franchise to embed its new machine in a conquest dynamic with a loyal audience, but also new generations. The stakes are clearly visible, since after an exceptional lifespan of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which had consolidated the Switch’s popularity, the anticipation is immense for this successor. Players are eager to discover how Mario Kart World will revisit the fundamentals of racing games in an enhanced technical context.
Furthermore, the scheduling of events around Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 allows anticipating the communication rhythm that Nintendo wishes to establish: between teasing, gradual revelations, and direct interaction with the community. These presentation sessions also confirm Mario Kart 9’s integration into the Switch 2 ecosystem, demonstrating a perfect synergy between hardware and software, a sine qua non condition to maximize user experience and loyalty.
Release date set for June 5, 2025: a must-attend event for Mario Kart fans
Nintendo has decided by officially announcing the launch date of Mario Kart World: June 5, 2025. This simultaneous deployment with the Switch 2 marks a turning point in the series’ history, which until now often saw its episodes arrive several months after the release of the platforms. This synchronization allows capitalizing on the massive excitement surrounding the new console and offering players an immersive experience right from the first days.
This cross-release will have a decisive impact on commercial dynamics and players’ habits. On the one hand, it encourages the combined purchase of the Switch 2 and the new Mario Kart, making the bundle even more attractive against the competition. On the other hand, it creates strong anticipation, notably thanks to the hype generated by the presentations broadcast in April 2025, whether during the Nintendo Direct or exclusive demos. The June 5 date thus promises to be a key moment that player communities eagerly await to organize multiplayer sessions, tournaments, and large-scale discoveries.
This scheduling is not incidental: it also benefits from the summer, a period during which free time is more abundant, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the circuits and the novelties offered by Mario Kart World. The release window coincides with traditional industry strategies to maximize visibility and sales. This tactical choice of timing is also strengthened by a progressive communication campaign, emphasizing the game’s innovations as well as the power and technical improvements offered by the Switch 2.
Schedule of important events around Mario Kart 9 and Switch 2
| Event | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Full Switch 2 presentation | April 2, 2025 | Discovery of the console and first preview of launch games |
| Special Mario Kart World Direct | April 17, 2025 | Exclusive details, gameplay, and novelties of the next installment |
| Worldwide release of Mario Kart World and Switch 2 | June 5, 2025 | Official launch of the console and the game |
Major gameplay innovations in Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2
Mario Kart World is not content to be a mere extension of its predecessors; it introduces mechanisms that will truly renew the series. The first spectacular evolution lies in the increase of players in a race. The game will now support up to 24 participants in multiplayer, double the number compared to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This expansion promises even more intense and strategic battles, where chaos will take on a new dimension.
Beyond this extended showdown, Mario Kart World offers a brand new Ride mode. This mode invites you to freely explore an open world inspired by the classic routes of the saga, with vast and interactive environments. It is no longer just timed races, but a peaceful and playful exploration where you can discover secrets, test shortcuts, and enjoy the scenery. This hybrid approach between racing and exploration profoundly enriches game variety.
The circuits themselves adopt a new, more open philosophy, with less linear tracks that include fictional sponsors, bringing a realistic touch to the atmosphere. The game also introduces new types of vehicles, including snowmobiles, thus offering new sensations on snowy tracks, while the return of Grand Prix proposes classic reinvigorated events allowing exiting tracks to take daring shortcuts.
An exciting novelty is the integration of dynamic weather conditions and a day-night cycle. This system affects visibility, kart handling, and strategy to adopt. The changing weather can thus turn a promising race into a real challenge of adaptation. The Survival mode, for its part, introduces an additional competitive intensity by progressively eliminating the last drivers passing a checkpoint, increasing pressure and tension during the race.
The standout innovations of Mario Kart World:
- Multiplayer races up to 24 simultaneous players
- Open world Ride mode for free exploration
- More open circuits with fictional sponsors
- New vehicles, including snowmobiles on snowy tracks
- Elimination Survival mode
- Day/night cycle and dynamic weather affecting driving
- Return of Grand Prix with integrated shortcuts
A more immersive visual and sound return: the graphic identity of Mario Kart 9
The graphical evolution of Mario Kart World fully takes advantage of the enhanced capabilities of the Switch 2. The circuits are remarkably detailed, with rich textures and smooth animations making the experience more immersive. Environments such as the “Mario Bros Circuit” in the middle of the desert dotted with the fictional restaurant “Yoshi’s Drive” offer landscapes both varied and lively, with animated NPCs and sophisticated lighting effects.
The design of the characters also undergoes a notable refresh. Donkey Kong stands out with a new marked style, featuring dark-circled eyes that give him a strengthened and more expressive visual personality. This attention to detail better connects the player to the avatars they control, making the gameplay experience more endearing.
On the sound side, the soundtrack combines remixed classic themes with new compositions, giving fresh breath to each circuit. The sound effects also benefit from improved quality, with more realistic 3D effects complementing immersion, especially during collisions, shell attacks, or boosts.
This technical evolutivity is a real selling point, highlighting the added value of the new console while ensuring that players will find the joyful and competitive essence that made the series’ success. Mario Kart World thus promises an audio-visual experience that raises the franchise’s standards.
Higher price: Nintendo’s pricing policy for Mario Kart World
Nintendo surprised players by announcing a higher cost than before for Mario Kart World. Offered at €79.99 in digital version and €89.99 in physical version, this price stands out markedly from previous entries, which generally ranged between €39.99 and €59.99 at launch. This increase signals a desire to further value production, innovations, and the richness of the content offered.
The reasons given for this increase are multiple: on the one hand, developing a more ambitious multiplayer mode with 24 players implies more costly infrastructures, both in programming and online servers. On the other hand, leveraging the Switch 2 features requires larger budgets, notably to ensure perfect optimization and stability during competitive sessions.
However, this pricing policy could represent a barrier for some consumers, especially those considering acquiring the console and game jointly. For collectors and die-hard fans, this extra expense may be seen as an investment in an enriched and enduring experience. The franchise’s success history suggests that Mario Kart World should still see strong commercial success, even with a high price.
Comparison of launch prices for Mario Kart games
| Game | Console | Approximate launch price (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart Double Dash | GameCube | 59.99 |
| Mario Kart DS | DS | 39.99 |
| Mario Kart Wii | Wii | 49.99 |
| Mario Kart 7 | 3DS | 44.99 |
| Mario Kart 8 | Wii U | 59.99 |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Switch | 59.99 |
| Mario Kart World (Mario Kart 9) | Switch 2 | 79.99 – 89.99 |
A legacy to respect: the succession of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
When talking about Mario Kart 9, it’s impossible to ignore the shadow cast by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, now a monument of video games. With over 67 million copies sold, this installment holds the coveted title of the best-selling racing game ever. This remarkable longevity and popularity pose a huge challenge for developers: how to innovate without betraying the game’s DNA?
Mario Kart World seems to answer this question by combining novelties, enrichments, and fidelity to elements that made previous versions successful. For example, the complexity of strategies with items, the fluidity of controls, and the friendliness of multiplayer modes are preserved while being amplified by the introduced technical innovations. This guarantees immediate gameplay pleasure for both veterans and new players.
The open world Ride mode also constitutes a tribute, extension, and evolution of the free modes until now limited to classic races. It offers an exploratory dimension that, if convincing, could renew long-term interest. The adaptation to weather conditions and the day-night cycle adds an additional layer of realism that modernizes the racing atmosphere.
This balance between tradition and novelty will be decisive for the game’s critical and commercial reception, especially since Mario Kart’s very active community eagerly awaits memorable sequences that will continue to thrill online competitions and gatherings among friends.
Multiplayer and connectivity: a qualitative leap for Mario Kart 9
One of Mario Kart’s pillars of success is undoubtedly its multiplayer mode, which gathers millions of players online. With Switch 2, Nintendo promises a significantly enhanced experience thanks to more robust and smoother connectivity. Mario Kart World fully takes advantage of this improvement by offering races with up to 24 players, multiplying competition possibilities both locally and online.
Moving to such a high number of opponents requires appropriate technical infrastructures. Switch 2 thus integrates network capabilities and an optimized matchmaking system to handle the complexity of busy races and maintain smooth gameplay without significant latency. This technical innovation encourages more impressive tournaments and more dynamic community events.
Another important point is the enrichment of competition modes, with game customization options, simplified guest management, as well as the possibility to organize private sessions with ease. Developers also redesigned interfaces to make the experience more intuitive, whether navigating menus or during races. This guarantees increased accessibility, both for casual players and seasoned competitors.
Ultimately, this multiplayer boost fits into a global strategy aimed at perpetuating the popularity of video games amid contemporary demands, where the social and competitive online dimension has become essential.
Future prospects and impacts for the Nintendo ecosystem in 2026
With the simultaneous launch of the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, Nintendo lays the foundation for a new generation and consolidates its position in the video game market. Beyond the expected commercial success, a genuine renewal of the user experience is taking shape. The introduced innovations could well set an example and inspire other Japanese franchises to rethink their approaches.
This dual release also raises expectations for upcoming titles on Switch 2, like Donkey Kong Bananza. The year 2026 promises to be thrilling for fans, with a console offering enhanced performance and a rich lineup, where Mario Kart World will play an indisputable leading role.
In the long term, this momentum also seems to favor the growth of eSport competitions and official tournaments, thanks to technical infrastructure designed for massive multiplayer and community interaction. Nintendo thus takes an important step in its digital and network strategy, meeting new player expectations and the rise of streaming and live broadcasting.
This revolution could significantly increase the base of active players and trigger a domino effect around gaming accessories, online services, and additional content linked to Mario Kart 9 and Switch 2, thereby strengthening the Nintendo ecosystem worldwide.
