Adam Starkey
Published December 3, 2025 10:55am
Updated December 3, 2025 10:56am
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Catch vines instead of waves (Nintendo)
Nintendo has released a new update for Mario Kart World, with custom item options and new course layouts for intermission tracks.
Mario Kart World may have launched in a flawed state, but Nintendo has gradually rolled out updates to address issues in the months since then.
These updates have improved the free roam mode, added online matchmaking to Knockout Tour, and reverted changes made to the frequency of traditional three lap races, among other minor fixes. However, there are still some irritations, like the overwhelmingly cluttered character select screen and the lack of a soundtrack jukebox.
Nintendo has now rolled out another update for Mario Kart World, and while those specific complaints haven’t been addressed, there are some surprising additions, which might be indicative of future updates to come.
The most unexpected change are altered layouts for certain intermission courses – specifically routes to and from Koopa Troopa Beach.
These include new obstacles across the water sections, with vines you can grind across and jumps, and some new turns (as disocvered by X user MaritheKity) to liven up the dull stretches of straight road.
Additionally, on any course heading toward Koopa Troopa Beach, you’ll now have to complete two laps of the circuit at the end instead of one – presumably because it is the shortest track in the game. These updates only apply to local Vs Race and Online Play.
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They added a bunch of elements and beanstalks from koopa beach 2 to Peach Stadium #MarioKartWorld pic.twitter.com/HRmiWBNWq9
— – ̗̀Bruno ̖́- (@MBisonFute) December 3, 2025
While it’s unclear if Nintendo is planning to revamp other tracks in Mario Kart World, it’s an interesting way to tackle the problem some people have with the relatively straight, and uninteresting, intermission courses around the open world.
The update includes some other notable additions too. There’s now the ability to add custom item rules across Vs Race, battle modes, and private online matches, which will please any masochist who fancies blue shell-only races.
A side effect of custom items is it’s now easier to unlock certain characters tied to the Kamek item. To unlock characters like Spike or Chargin’ Chuck, you’d previously have to be transformed into the character through the Kamek item in races by your opponents, or, following an update, suck up these characters into the UFO in free roam.
Custom Items have come to #MarioKartWorld in the latest update!Want a clean race with only Dash Mushrooms, the danger of endless Spiny Shells, or total Kamek chaos?! It’s up to you! pic.twitter.com/32orSAnKY3
— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) December 3, 2025
Kamek Only 24p KTBTHANKS NEW MARIO KART WORLD UPDATE pic.twitter.com/wGMy9Xmoog
— childish 🍉 (@ChildishTommy) December 3, 2025
Now, you can simply do a Vs Race with only the Kamek item activated. Some players have already shown how chaotic it can be in social media clips, but it’s certainly the quickest way to unlock all the minor side characters, like Peepa and and Pianta, in one messy swoop.
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Other additions include a new music volume feature, the ability to see music track names in the pause menu, and when in a group online, you can now choose whether to play against anyone in the world or just players in your party with custom rules.
The full patch notes are here but while some of these features should have been in the game to begin with, it’s a welcome update and shows Nintendo is listening to some of the fan feedback.
The big question is when Nintendo will announce inevitable DLC for Mario Kart World, with the next Nintendo Direct likely not happening until early next year. The credits for Donkey Kong Bananza suggested two new characters are planned, but nothing has been officially announced.
All the big changes in Mario Kart World update 1.4.0
- Added “Custom Items” to the item rules.
This is a feature that lets you set which items appear.
This is supported in “VS Race”, “Balloon Battle”, “Coin Runners”, and “Room” in “Online Play” or “Wireless Play”.
- Made it so that music track name and source title of the track that is playing will be displayed on the Pause Menu.
- Added “Music Volume” to “Settings/Controller”.
- Made it so players who gathered in a “Room” of “Online Play” can participate in “Race”, “Knockout Tour”, and “Battle”.
Up to 4 players can participate in “Race”, “Knockout Tour”, and “Battle”.
- Made it so you can join in with friends who are playing “Knockout Tour” from “Friends” in “2p”, “Online Play” as well.
- Added “Restart” and “Next Race” in the Pause Menu for “VS Race” in “Single Player”.
- Made it so you can select “Photo Mode” from the Pause Menu in “Race against Ghost” in “Time Trials”.
- Changed the course layout of below courses for “VS Race”, or “Race” in “Online Play” or “Wireless Play”.
Race that heads from “Koopa Troopa Beach” to “DK Spaceport”.
Race that heads from “Koopa Troopa Beach” to “Crown City”.
Race that heads from “Koopa Troopa Beach” to “Peach Stadium”.
Race that heads from “Whistlestop Summit” to “Koopa Troopa Beach”.
Race that heads from “Desert Hills” to “Koopa Troopa Beach”.
Race that heads from “DK Spaceport” to “Koopa Troopa Beach”.
Race that heads from “Crown City” to “Koopa Troopa Beach”.
Race that heads from “Peach Stadium” to “Koopa Troopa Beach”.
*Changed it so that, in all races heading toward “Koopa Troopa Beach”, including the above courses, you will cross the finish line after two laps once you arrive at “Koopa Troopa Beach”.
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