Mario Kart World The Future of Racing
From the moment Nintendo announced Mario Kart World, fans knew this entry would try to reshape the formula. Rather than sticking to isolated circuits like its predecessors, the game offers a sprawling, interconnected world where races, free-roam exploration, and side missions coexist. In many ways, it feels like the next evolution of the series.
Instead of just racing through cups, Mario Kart World invites players to think differently about the series. The sheer variety of vehicles sparks debate over which rides perform best, the massive roster raises curiosity about just how many options there are, and the lack of traditional customisation has players asking what freedom they truly have with their builds. On top of that, the open design has given rise to a World Interactive Map, a tool that’s quickly becoming essential for racers determined to uncover every secret.
What’s the Best Kart
I have been running through laps and trying to work out how to get to the best answer, to be honest there is no one size fits all best Kart in Mario Kart world. Instead, your “best” kart depends on your driving style, the route or terrain, and which stats you prioritise. Let me unpick this further.
Stat trade offs matter
Each kart, bike, or vehicle in Mario Kart World comes with a unique combination of stats such as speed, acceleration, weight, and handling. Some are faster but harder to control; others are nimble but lack top end speed.
Because of that, your ideal choice might vary by track or mission. For example:
- On straighter, wide-open stretches, a higher top speed kart pays off.
- In tighter, twisty sections or Free Roam shortcuts, a high-handling, quick-acceleration kart might give an edge.
- Weight can help you bump past lighter karts, but heavier vehicles can be slower to recover from hits.
Opening roster & unlocks
You don’t start with all vehicles unlocked, you’ll begin with a subset, and then unlock more over time (more on that below). In practice, most players experiment with many karts before settling on a few favourites.
In short: the “best kart” is the one that balances well with your personal style and the environment you’re racing in. Don’t be afraid to switch depending on whether you’re doing a high-speed Grand Prix or navigating a crowded Free Roam corridor.
How many vehicles are there in Mario Kart World?
One of the more objective questions has a fairly clean answer:
- From what I have managed to unlock, there are 40 vehicles total (including karts, bikes, and ATVs) in Mario Kart World.
- You begin with a smaller subset (around 11 vehicles) available from the start.
- The remaining ones must be unlocked, typically by collecting coins in-game.
Unlocking is somewhat random in ordering: for every 100 coins you collect, you are rewarded with a new vehicle. Because of the randomness in order, the particular vehicle you unlock at any given point can feel unpredictable.
So while you might not see all 40 until many hours in, the full variety is there.
Can I customise my vehicle in Mario Kart World?
For those who loved the deep vehicle customization systems of prior titles.
The short answer is No, Mario Kart World does not offer robust visual or mechanical customisation of vehicles in the same way some past entries (e.g. Mario Kart 8) did.
However, that doesn’t mean there’s zero variation, each vehicle comes preconfigured with its own stats (speed, acceleration, handling, weight), so your choice is a kind of implicit customization.
You won’t be swapping wheels, body kits, or paint jobs in-game (at least as of the current version), but you are customizing in a broader sense via vehicle selection.
It’s worth noting that developers have hinted at possible future updates and tweaks in “Ask the Developer” posts.
So while full visual modding isn’t in the base game now, it’s not out of the question for expansions or patches.
World Interactive Map & Navigational Tools
Given how expansive Mario Kart World’s open world environment is, many players have expressed the need for tools to help navigate, track collectibles, and optimize their routes. That’s where a World Interactive Map comes in.
What is the World Interactive Map?
This is a fan-made (or community-supported) digital map overlay for Mario Kart World, showing key locations such as:
- P-Switch missions
- Peach Medallion collectibles
- Yoshi’s Diner locations
- Track routes and shortcuts
- Unlockable nodes and side missions
Some maps even let you mark off which challenges you’ve completed.
One version of such a map was once released as a paid companion “MK World Travel Guide” app, but it was later removed from the iOS App Store. However, free browser-based versions remain, such as this one by Map Genie.
Why it matters
Completion tracking
With nearly 400 P-Switch challenges and many hidden spots, it’s easy to lose track of what you’ve done.
Efficiency
The map helps you plan a route that picks up many collectibles in one sweep, minimizing backtracking.
Discovery
If you’re stuck figuring out where the next peach medallion or mission is, the map often includes screenshots or coordinates.
Community synergy
Many maps are continuously updated by the community as new patches or secrets emerge.
Because Mario Kart World’s Free Roam is so large, the interactive map becomes almost indispensable for completionists or players who want to extract every bit of value from the world.
The Knockout Tour Pressure at Every Corner
One of the boldest additions in Mario Kart World is the Knockout Tour. Instead of just racing for first place, you’re racing to survive. After each round, the lowest ranking players are eliminated until only one driver remains. It feels like a blend of Mario Kart chaos with battle royale intensity, and trust me it’s just as nerve wracking as it sounds.
I’ll never forget my first Knockout Tour run. I was holding steady in fourth place on Rainbow Road, feeling confident, when I got blindsided by a Blue Shell and tumbled off the edge. In an instant, I was bumped out of the round. That sting made me appreciate just how cutthroat these races can be you can’t coast on luck; you have to stay sharp through every lap.
If you thrive on high stakes gameplay and unpredictable rivalries, Knockout Tour will probably become your go to mode
Crossing the Finish Line in Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World feels like the boldest leap the series has ever taken. By blending Free Roam exploration, classic racing in the Grand Prix, and high stakes competition in the Knockout Tour, Nintendo has delivered a game that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new. The debates over which kart is best, how to unlock all 40 vehicles, and how to make the most of the World Interactive Map only highlight how deep this game really is.
But one thing’s clear whether you’re chasing trophies, surviving knockout rounds, or just drifting through the open world, Mario Kart World offers something for every type of player.
And if you want the full experience, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is practically essential. Not only does it unlock online racing with friends and global players, but it also gives you access to special events, seasonal challenges, and leader board rankings. Without it, you’re only scratching the surface of what this new Mario Kart game has to offer.
In short, Mario Kart World isn’t just another entry it’s a new era for the franchise, one that sets the pace for the future of racing on the Nintendo Switch.
