Mario Kart World is now available for Nintendo Switch 2, featuring a roster packed with 50 drivers to select. However, some need to be unlocked.
The stand-out launch title for Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World hasn’t had a simple release as players have encountered download issues, but those who have managed to jump in have a huge environment to explore.
Of course, characters are needed to get behind the wheel, and if you’re a full completionist, you’ll want to know how to get them all—and we can tell you.
How to Unlock All Characters in Mario Kart World
There are 18 unlockable characters in Mario Kart World, including some fan-favorites like Donkey Kong, Rosalina, and Bowser Jr.
Some have exact requirements, like completing a particular Grand Prix, while others are unlocked at random via the new Kamek’s Transformational Power Item.
Kamek’s Transformational Power is found through item boxes in races and, when used, randomly transforms you into an ‘NPC Driver’—characters from previous Mario Kart games that were previously just in the environment.
If you are transformed into a character you have yet to unlock, they become available for you to use from that point onwards. If it’s a character you’ve already unlocked, there’s no additional reward.
| Image | Name | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|
 | Donkey Kong | Complete the Mushroom Cup |
 | Daisy | Complete the Flower Cup |
 | Rosalina | Complete the Star Cup |
 | Lakitu | Complete the Shell Cup |
 | Birdo | Complete the Banana Cup |
 | King Boo | Complete the Leaf Cup |
 | Bowser Jr. | Complete the Lightning Cup |
 | Cataquack | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Chargin’ Chuck | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Coin Coffer | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Conkodor | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Dolphin | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Fish Bone | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Peepa | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Pianta | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Rocky Wrench | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Spike | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
 | Swoop | Kamek’s Transformational Power Item |
All Default Characters in Mario Kart World
The majority of characters in Mario Kart World are unlocked by default at the start of the game. In total, there are 32 characters to select from at first.
This includes staples like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, along with a punch of the new ‘NPC Drivers’ like Pokey, Snowman, and Piranha Plant.
| Image | Name |
|---|---|
 | Mario |
 | Luigi |
 | Peach |
 | Yoshi |
 | Bowser |
 | Toad |
 | Toadette |
 | Koopa Troopa |
 | Wario |
 | Waluigi |
 | Baby Mario |
 | Baby Luigi |
 | Baby Peach |
 | Baby Daisy |
 | Baby Rosalina |
 | Pauline |
 | Shy Guy |
 | Cheep Cheep |
 | Cow |
 | Dry Bones |
 | Goomba |
 | Hammer Bro |
 | Monty Mole |
 | Nabbit |
 | Para-biddybud |
 | Penguin |
 | Piranha Plant |
 | Pokey |
 | Sidestepper |
 | Snowman |
 | Stingby |
 | Wiggler |
Want more Mario Kart World content? Check out all the multiplayer details, how much file size the game is, and how development for the game began in 2017.
Who is your go-to character in Mario Kart World? Which do you want to unlock first? Let us know in the Insider Gaming Forum.
