Mario Kart World lets players take their chaotic karting action onto the open road. With tracks connected through a sprawling open world, players will compete in Grand Prix and Knockout Tours that feel far more like true endurance races. However, the open world can also be explored at a slower pace, in Mario Kart World's free roam mode. The problem is, it's not immediately clear how players access it if they want to cruise around the map solo or with friends. Here's everything players need to know about how to free roam in Mario Kart World.
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How to Free Roam in Single Player in Mario Kart World
Right From the Start
To explore the open world solo, players have two options to access it. The first is to simply press the + button on the Switch 2 when on the main menu. This will have them immediately take over from wherever the character is driving in the background of the main menu.
Alternatively, if players want to explore a specific area of the map or free roam as a different character, they can select the 'Map' option at the bottom of the main menu. This is the little map icon with a pin on it, nestled between the stickers and manual options.
To change character, press the + button on the right Joy-Con 2. Alternatively, you can press Y to open the map and select a character you want to take control of. You can also fast travel to the different tracks on the map by selecting one with the cursor and pressing A.
How to Free Roam with Friends in Mario Kart World
Hop Into a Lobby
Free roaming in the open world with friends is done by going to the 'Online' menu and then selecting the 'Friends' option when selecting a game mode. Players can then choose to either join a room that a friend has created, or select the 'Create a Room' at the top of this screen to set up their own. After selecting their character and kart, they'll be dropped onto the map in a random location, and their friends can join the room when they're ready. Pressing Y will open up the map in Mario Kart World for players to select another track on the map to fast travel to. The free roam in multiplayer essentially acts as your lobby.
The creator of the room can set up and start a race whenever they want, too. It essentially just gives players something more interesting to do while waiting for their friends.
Free roam with other players only allows players to drive around the map. All the activities that can be done in single-player (listed below) can't be played in multiplayer at the time of writing.
What Can You Do in Mario Kart World Free Roam?
Take on Challenges
The free-roam option in Mario Kart World has a number of different things for players to do. I've listed each of these below:
- Dash Food: Dash Food is the golden takeout bags of food you'll see dotted around the world at Yoshi's Diners and can also be obtained in standard races. Collecting one of these will give your kart a boost, but also has a chance of unlocking a new costume for your current racer.
- Peach Medallions: Peach Medallions are the large coins with Peach's face on them that you might have seen dotted around Mario Kart World's map. Collecting these often requires some skillful driving and will unlock a Sticker once collected.
- P-Switches: P-Switches are the most enjoyable part of Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode. When driven into, these switches will give you a challenge to complete. These are usually a time trial, but can involve avoiding obstacles, collecting coins, and executing some advanced driving skills. Completing a P-Switch challenge will reward players with a sticker.
- ? Panels: The? Panels in Mario Kart World are hidden around the map and often require you to venture off the beaten path to find them. Some of them might require wall-riding to reach, while others will need you to be clever with your use of boost to reach them. Driving over a? Panel will unlock a sticker.
- Photo Mode: For those looking to let their creative juices flow, free roam mode is a great way to find an idyllic spot to snap a cool picture of your favorite character cruising in photo mode.
- Collect Coins to Unlock Karts: Coins don't just give you a boost, they're also used to unlock karts. For every 100 coins that you collect in the game, you'll unlock a new kart. Keep in mind that you can collect and hold 20 Gold Coins at a time, but collecting any more once you've hit 20 will still count towards the next 100.
- Fly a UFO: One of the secrets that Nintendo has added into free roam is the ability for players to get abducted by and fly a UFO around the world. This seems to be a rare occurrence and will appear at random, but it's a lot of fun when you manage to track it down.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- June 5, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
