Mario Kart World
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About
Mario Kart World is an upcoming video game in the Mario Kart racing series and a sequel to the 2014 game Mario Kart 8. The game was indirectly revealed in January 2025 as a part of the Nintendo Switch 2 console reveal, where it was used to showcase the new console's capabilities. Following the reveal, the upcoming game became a viral subject of discussion online. Nintendo announced the release of Mario Kart World (MKW) during a Nintendo Direct in early April 2025, which showcased an expanded roster of characters, including unique additions like the cow from Moo Moo Meadows and a stylish Boo. The game's release date was set for June 5th, 2025. Following the Direct, internet users reacted to the announcement as the cost of the game sparked controversy online.
History
On January 16th, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 handheld console, a successor to the 2017 Nintendo Switch console, was revealed by Nintendo via a first-look trailer.[1] The announcement trailer also revealed an upcoming game in the Mario Kart racing video game series, with the gameplay shown on the screen of the console (video shown below).
On April 2nd, 2025, during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the game's title was revealed to be Mario Kart World, with new playable characters such as the Moo Moo Meadows Cow and Pauline from Super Mario Odyssey. The game also adds new vehicles such as jet skis and snowmobiles.
Online Reactions
Following the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer, users on social media made multiple posts about the first new major installment in the Mario Kart series since 2014. A seemingly more cartoonish style of the upcoming game, an the change in Donkey Kong's appearance in particular, became a subject of several viral posts. For example, on January 16th, X[2] account @DiscussingFilm made a post comparing Donkey Kong's look in Mario Kart 8 and in the upcoming game, with the post (shown below) gaining over 2,600 reposts and 51,000 likes in several hours.
The visual resemblance between the map revealed in the trailer and the fictional town Radiator Springs from the Cars movie series became a subject of memes and references. For example, on January 16th, 2025, X[3] user @misterduby made a post that received over 160 reposts and 8,500 likes in several hours (shown below).
Various Examples
Top Comments
DLD493v2
Jan 16, 2025 at 02:11PM EST
Pokejoseph64
Jan 16, 2025 at 09:03PM EST