Mario Kart World Gets New Update for April 2026

A new update for Mario Kart World is now live, and it should resolve some issues that players have come across in the Nintendo Switch 2 game. Mario Kart World was released as a launch title for the system last June, and was offered both separately and as part of a bundle. The game quickly became a success story for Nintendo, with more than 14 million copies sold.

The Mario Kart series has been a staple of Nintendo systems since Super Mario Kart‘s release in 1992. The popularity of the series has grown exponentially over the years, particularly in the Switch era. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the system’s best-selling game, with more than 70 million copies sold since 2017. To keep the series fresh, Nintendo introduced a lot of changes in Mario Kart World, adding an interconnected world, the new Knockout Tour, and more.

Nintendo is Reportedly Deleting a Bunch of Super Mario Maker 2 Levels

Multiple creators claim that Nintendo is now deleting their custom-designed levels in the Switch video game Super Mario Maker 2.

Mario Kart World’s New Update

The latest update for Mario Kart World is now live on Nintendo Switch 2, bringing the game up to version 1.6.1. Mario Kart World got a new mode last month, so fans shouldn’t expect anything too significant this time. The latest update for the game focuses specifically on a pair of bug fixes. The developers fixed an issue where players were not always getting a speed boost when they were supposed to. An issue was also resolved where the game would crash when switching from TV mode to either handheld or tabletop mode after starting a multiplayer game with three or more players. Those issues seem pretty specific, so there’s a good chance many players never encountered them.

Switch 2 owners that have been hoping for some new racers or tracks will have to keep waiting. Rumors claimed that Mario Kart World would add King K. Rool and Void Kong, following the release of Donkey Kong Bananza. That still hasn’t happened, leaving many to question Nintendo’s future plans for the game. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe got a significant amount of DLC on Switch, but the Booster Course Pass wasn’t offered until several years after the base game came out. Hopefully the wait won’t be nearly as long this time around.

Mario Kart World Mario grinding screenshot

It’s possible Nintendo doesn’t want to release too much Mario-related content at the same time. Super Mario Bros. Wonder‘s Nintendo Switch 2 update came out last month, and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book will be released in May. Mario video games saw a huge sales boost when the first Illumination movie came out, and both of those games could appeal to fans that watched The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in theaters. If DLC is being planned for Mario Kart World, it would make sense to make that available when there are fewer options for fans of the mustachioed mascot.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

Fans are eagerly awaiting the next Nintendo Direct presentation. That should shine more of a light on Switch 2 plans for the rest of 2026, including any unannounced games or planned DLC. It’s been a while since the last one aired, but there’s no way of knowing when the next one will happen. Nintendo has traditionally aired the presentations in the month of June, and it wouldn’t be surprising if that happens again this year.

Mario Kart World ver. 1.6.1 Patch Notes

Fixed Issues

Fixed an issue where you would sometimes not get a speed boost upon landing after starting a rail ride following a Jump Boost or similar action.
Fixed an issue where the game would sometimes end when switching between TV mode and handheld mode / tabletop mode after starting a game with three or more players in Multiplayer.