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The Mario Kart World Direct aired Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET and ran for about 15 minutes. The broadcast is over; Nintendo’s official event page has the replay.
When was the Mario Kart World Direct?
Nintendo’s dedicated presentation focused on Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2. It aired on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The original start time was 6 a.m. PT (7 a.m. MT, 8 a.m. CT and 9 a.m. ET); in daylight-saving time, those U.S. times were technically PDT, MDT, CDT and EDT. International equivalents included 2 p.m. BST, 3 p.m. CEST, 10 p.m. JST and 11 p.m. AET. The presentation lasted approximately 15 minutes, according to Nintendo’s Direct archive.
This was a game-specific presentation, not the broader Nintendo Switch 2 Direct held on April 2, 2025. It is now an archived video rather than an upcoming livestream.
How to watch the replay
- Open Nintendo’s Mario Kart World Direct event page to watch the official replay.
- Alternatively, find the presentation through Nintendo’s official video channels, including Nintendo of America’s YouTube channel. Nintendo’s event page is the most direct archive link.
You do not need a Nintendo Switch 2, a game purchase or a Nintendo Account simply to view the video. An internet-connected device and a compatible browser or YouTube app are sufficient. The original livestream interface, including any premiere countdown or live chat, may no longer be available.
#1 Best Overall
- Save $37.98 on everything you need to play with this bundle
- Includes Nintendo Switch 2, the most powerful Nintendo system yet
- Includes the Mario Kart World digital game download
- 3 months of Nintendo Switch Online included for online play and more
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
What the presentation covered
Nintendo’s post-event recap highlighted the game’s connected world, where roads link courses and regions, alongside several ways to play:
- Grand Prix racing and Knockout Tour.
- Free Roam exploration.
- Races with up to 24 drivers.
- Local and online multiplayer, plus changing weather and a day-and-night cycle.
Nintendo’s post-Direct summary describes the world’s linked locations, including cities, plains, deserts and ocean areas. The broadcast was a pre-release look at those features, not a general showcase of multiple Nintendo games.
Rank #2
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
Which console is Mario Kart World for?
Mario Kart World is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, not the original Nintendo Switch. It launched on June 5, 2025, alongside the new console, as Nintendo noted in its launch announcement. Watching the Direct does not require the console, but playing the game does.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Mario Kart World still worth watching the Direct for?
The replay remains useful as a roughly 15-minute overview of the game’s pre-release reveal. For current product details, Nintendo’s official game page is the better reference; the Direct itself captures what Nintendo chose to show before launch.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [SEAMLESS OPEN WORLD] Experience an interconnected racing environment with zero loading screens between courses. Navigate a massive world featuring 24-hour dynamic day/night cycles and shifting weather patterns that directly impact vehicle traction and handling across mountains and cities.
- [ADVANCED RACING MECHANICS] Master all-new maneuvers including high-speed rail riding, wall jumping, and tactical water skimming. These next-gen traversal abilities allow players to discover hidden shortcuts and alternate routes within a 100% seamless world-map architecture.
- [24-PLAYER ELIMINATION MODE] Compete in the high-stakes Knockout Tour, an adrenaline-packed 24-driver elimination mode where racers are removed checkpoint by checkpoint. Supports up to 24-player online multiplayer with integrated GameChat for real-time social coordination.
- [NEXT-GEN TECHNICAL SPECS] Optimized exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 system to deliver stunning 4K Ultra HD resolution in docked mode and a locked 60FPS frame rate. Features enhanced texture mapping and global illumination for the most immersive visual experience in series history.
- [OPEN-WORLD EXPLORATION] Step away from the Grand Prix in the all-new Free Roam mode to wander the world at your own pace. Discover hidden surprises, unlockable vehicle parts, and brand-new drivers across diverse biomes including dense forests and sprawling urban landscapes.
Rank #4
![Mario Kart World Standard - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zaiyfzDeL._SL160_.jpg)
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
Rank #3
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
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