New Mario Kart World Video Suggests Extensive Character Lineup

Mario Kart World is set to bring a refreshing twist to the famed racing franchise with what could be an enormous roster, boasting up to 84 characters. This would be a significant leap from previous entries, providing players with a wide variety of choices.

In this new installment, races will support up to 24 players at once, creating a need for a diverse character selection to keep things fresh and exciting. While it’s evident that the game might host 84 characters, what remains uncertain is whether all these characters are entirely unique or simply different outfits for existing ones, leaving fans curious about whether these variations will be separate characters or mere reskins.

Longtime enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating a fresh console entry for the Mario Kart series, especially since Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a reimagined version of the Wii U installment, hit the Nintendo Switch in 2017. The Deluxe edition expanded with the Booster Course Pass, adding 48 courses and eight new characters, making it a comprehensive package with a total of 42 racers across a vast array of 96 tracks. Many believed it set a high bar, challenging Nintendo to surpass it. But with the first look at Mario Kart World during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, excitement has surged once again.

The reveal at the Direct showcased Nintendo’s ambitious plans to elevate Mario Kart to new heights by featuring up to 84 characters. Players will engage in thrilling 24-player races, and to prevent the monotony of seeing the same characters repeatedly, Nintendo decided to significantly expand character options. During a Nintendo Treehouse live event, footage hinted at potentially seven character select pages in the game, suggesting the possibility of a plentiful roster.

The demonstration at the event unveiled a character selection menu with each page able to exhibit up to 12 characters. However, with seven pages in play, the actual number might range from 73 to 84, depending on whether or not the final page is fully populated.

Yet, while viewers couldn’t browse all the pages during the event, questions linger about whether these will all be distinctive characters or just different character skins. Mario Kart World is intended to offer various outfits for its racers, but the specifics remain a mystery. It’s unclear if these will be distinct choices in the menu, determined pre-race, or if changes will occur during races perhaps due to new in-game items that alter character appearances. Despite the seemingly excessive character count, the extensive selection is crucial to accommodate the 24-player races.

Mario Kart World promises to keep fans engaged with fresh features and ample options, ensuring that every race delivers unique thrills for players around the globe.