Mario Kart World is screeching round the track towards release, with multiplayer set to be a huge part of the game, and we’ve got everything you need to know about the feature.
Releasing on June 5, the same day the Nintendo Switch 2 console lands in the hands of gamers around the world, Mario Kart World is the stand-out title available at launch.
Mario Kart games are renowned for their multiplayer options, and Mario Kart World is no different, with the addition of new game modes increasing the options available for you.
How Many Players Does Mario Kart World Local Multiplayer Support?
Local multiplayer on a single Nintendo Switch 2 in Mario Kart World supports up to four players, including in the new Free Roam mode.
This is identical to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the original Nintendo Switch console, which supported the same number of players locally, but that, of course, didn’t have a Free Roam mode.
Some details on Free Roam are still up in the air, however, including whether there is a tether system that only lets you stray so far from the main player on the console.
Local players also have the option to connect together with only consoles locally through wireless, which supports up to eight players.
If you opt for this approach with Free Roam, each console can support two players, meaning four consoles in total would be needed for the full amount in Free Roam.
When playing local multiplayer, you have the full choice of game modes, including the new Knockout Tour mode.
How Many Players Does Mario Kart World Online Multiplayer Support?
Online multiplayer in Mario Kart World is where things get really interesting, as races now support up to 24 players.
This is double the number of players supported in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch, which should lead to fun, if not chaotic, gameplay.
There are restrictions, however, as from what we’ve seen ahead of launch, it seems like Free Roam multiplayer is restricted to local. None of the press releases or articles about the mode indicate Free Roam has online multiplayer, which is certainly confusing.
Hopefully, this is just an oversight and it will be clear at launch that Free Roam multiplayer is available in the game, particularly as there are plenty of collectables and secrets to discover across the map.
Want more Mario Kart World content? Read about the file size here, check out the full roster of playable characters, and take a look at all the courses confirmed for the game so far.
What are you most excited for in Mario Kart World? Have you organised a play session with friends yet? Let us know in the Insider Gaming Forum.
