Mario Kart World is expansive, boasting a mix of both new and classic courses woven throughout an interconnected open world. The most enticing aspect of the game, however, is arguably its extensive roster of playable characters. This lineup includes well-known favorites like Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, as well as more obscure choices such as Cataquacks from Super Mario Sunshine and Moo Moos from previous entries. Despite extensive information on Mario Kart World emerging over recent weeks, one mystery lingers: how does one unlock all these unique characters?
Although Mario Kart World may initially offer an impressive selection of characters, it seems unlikely that Nintendo would make them all readily available from the start. Drawing parallels to the approach seen in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where players had to unlock the extensive roster gradually, it’s clear that Nintendo doesn’t shy away from requiring effort to access content. While this aspect may feel outdated in today’s gaming landscape, there’s an undeniable thrill in encountering the message “A new foe has appeared! Challenger approaching” as you play.
Speculation abounds online regarding the character unlocking process in Mario Kart World. A particularly intriguing but dubious post on 4chan from April 2 suggested that players might add new racers — like butterflies and the Angry Sun — to their roster by capturing them in the game’s Free Roam mode. Polygon, in its effort to confirm this rumor at the Switch 2 reveal event, could not substantiate any details.
Mario Kart World includes an item that summons Kamek, who can use his magical abilities to transform opponents into different characters. Some gameplay footage shows this transformation with a prompt, which could indicate that the newly transformed character is now unlocked. Furthermore, during a recent Treehouse Live presentation, a glimpse of the game’s map hinted at roaming NPCs, suggesting that new racers might be unlocked by encountering and interacting with them, perhaps through completing challenges as showcased in a recent Nintendo Direct.
The wide array of characters is undoubtedly a major appeal for Mario Kart World. Nintendo’s reluctance to elaborate on the unlocking process could mean there are secrets yet to be revealed. It remains to be seen if more will be disclosed before the game launches with the Switch 2 on June 5, or if players will be left to discover these details during the excitement of launch day.
