Every Game Mode in Mario Kart World Explained

Mario Kart World features six different game modes at launch. Here is everything you need to know about every new and returning game mode.

Nintendo gave fans a good idea of what they can expect from the Mario Kart World during the Direct presentation. It was confirmed that the game features 29 courses, including a variety of new and returning tracks. Check out our guide to see if Rainbow Road made the cut.

The development team also previewed which game modes will be available on these courses.

What Are The New Game Modes in Mario Kart World?

knockout Tour

In Knockout Tour, 24 players race from one side of the map across five checkpoints. If you don’t reach a checkpoint before the timer expires, you are eliminated. Ultimately, one player will emerge victorious once the group is dwindled to five racers.

Mario Kart World features eight different Knockout Tour Rallys.

Here is a breakdown of the racers per checkpoint.

While racing, players will have to avoid several obstacles, such as cars that shoot bullet bills, hammer brothers that throw vehicles from the back of vehicles and from the side of the map, and other new unexpected obstacles.

Free Roam

While waiting for friends or if you want a break from the action, Free Roam allows players to explore the entire map with no restrictions.

While exploring, there are hidden coins and panels, and you can hit P switches to activate hundreds of missions that require you to collect all of the blue coins in the area before the timer expires. It’s also possible to meet up with your friends and take photos.

All Game Modes in Mario Kart World

Here is a list of all of the game modes in Mario Kart World.

Grand Prix

Grand Prix is the traditional Mario Kart game mode, as 24 racers compete in four different races, and you earn points based on your placement for every course. Mario Kart World features seven different Grand Prix cups, and each has four maps.

In addition, Mario Kart World introduces a new twist that has players drive themselves to the next course after each race. While moving between courses, this serves as a mini-event to get yourself in a better position for the next race.

Battle Mode

Battle Mode can be played online or offline and includes Ballon Battle and Coin Runners.

In Balloon Battle, players start with five balloons, and the goal is to hit other players with items to pop theirs while protecting your own.

Meanwhile, Coin Runners challenges players to collect the most coins before the time expires. Hitting an enemy with an item causes them to lose coins, and you also lose coins when you fall off the map.

Time Trials

In Time Trials, you race against the clock as you attempt to put up the best three-lap time for every course.

Online, you can race against the ghost data or other players and try to beat their time.

VS Race

In VS Race, players can customize the Class, Teams, Items, COM Difficulty, Course Selection, and Race Count.

You can also opt to use the traditional three laps per course, or you can choose to drive to the next course and select routes that aren’t available in Grand Prix or Knockout Tour. This means that you could theoretically make the group drive across the entire map to get to the next course.

There can be up to four teams in a VS Race, with a maximum of 24 players.

This list also includes the previously mentioned new game modes.