Mario Kart World is the marquee launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring a roster of 50 playable racers, excluding the variants that come with the game’s additional costumes. That number may increase in the future, but below you’ll see all the characters in Mario Kart World and how to unlock them.
The major characters, like Donkey Kong and Rosalina, are unlocked by completing specific race cups. Meanwhile, many of the minor characters, like Spike and Rocky Wrench, for example, can only be unlocked mid-race through the Kamek item.
The Kamek item is a purple crystal ball that can transform racers into characters who haven’t yet been unlocked. The item has a small chance of appearing through item blocks, and you can’t be the one to use it. Another racer needs to use the item on you to transform you into a different character. Once you’ve transformed, the character you become will be permanently added to the roster.
Certain courses seem to have higher chances of transforming you into certain characters, so we’ll update this guide with specific locations as we test out more tracks.
If you’re looking to learn more about Mario Kart World, you can click the stories below for more information on the Switch 2 launch title:
- Mario Kart World Lets Players Rewind If They Make A Mistake
- Mario Kart World: How Eating Meals And Unlocking Costumes Works
- Battle Mode Is Back In Mario Kart World, Two Minigames Confirmed
- Rainbow Road’s Return In Mario Kart World Is All But Confirmed
- Mario Kart World Features Giant Trucks And Boats You Can Use To Dominate Races
For now, the bundle deal that includes the console and Mario Kart World is priced at $500, whereas the console on its own will currently cost you $450. It’s worth mentioning that first-party Nintendo games will be much pricier for the Switch 2 generation, so the bundle deal is the better option, as Mario Kart World will sell for $80 by itself.
Mario
Mario is part of the default roster.
Luigi
Luigi is part of the default roster.
Peach
Peach is part of the default roster.
Bowser
Bowser is part of the default roster.
Yoshi
Yoshi is part of the default roster.
Wario
Wario is part of the default roster.
Waluigi
Waluigi is part of the default roster.
Rosalina
Complete the Star Cup to unlock Rosalina.
Daisy
Complete the Flower Cup to unlock Daisy.
Toad
Toad is part of the default roster.
Toadette
Toadette is part of the default roster.
Donkey Kong
Complete the Mushroom Cup to unlock Donkey Kong.
Baby Mario
Baby Mario is part of the default roster.
Baby Luigi
Baby Luigi is part of the default roster.
Baby Peach
Baby Peach is part of the default roster.
Baby Daisy
Baby Daisy is part of the default roster.
Baby Rosalina
Baby Rosalina is part of the default roster.
Birdo
Complete the Banana Cup to unlock Birdo.
Bowser Jr.
Complete the Lightning Cup to unlock Bowser Jr.
Cataquack
Cataquack is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Cheep Cheep
Cheep Cheep is part of the default roster.
Charging Chuck
Charging Chuck is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Dolphin
Dolphin is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Dry Bones
Dry Bones is part of the default roster.
Fish Bone
Fish Bone is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Goomba
Goomba is part of the default roster.
Hammer Bro
Hammer Bro is part of the default roster.
King Boo
Complete the Leaf Cup to unlock King Boo.
Koopa Troopa
Koopa Troopa is part of the default roster.
Lakitu
Complete the Shell Cup to unlock Lakitu.
Moo Moo Meadows Cow
Cow is part of the default roster.
Nabbit
Nabbit is part of the default roster.
Pauline
Pauline is part of the default roster.
Penguin
Penguin is part of the default roster.
Shy Guy
Shy Guy is part of the default roster.
Spike
Spike is unlocked through the Kamek item on the Salty Salty Speedway track.
Para-Biddybud
Para-Biddybud is part of the default roster.
Pianta
Pianta is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Piranha Plant
Piranha Plant is part of the default roster.
Sidestepper
Sidestepper is part of the default roster.
Stingby
Stingby is part of the default roster.
Peepa
Peepa is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Monty Mole
Monty Mole is part of the default roster.
Pokey
Pokey is part of the default roster.
Swoop
Swoop is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Snowman
Snowman is part of the default roster.
Coin Coffer
Coin Coffer is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Conkdor
Conkdor is unlocked through the Kamek item.
Rocky Wrench
Rocky Wrench is unlocked through the Kamek item on the Airship Fortress track.
Wiggler
Wiggler is part of the default roster.
