Nintendo has released version 1.8.0, a free update for Mario Kart World that introduces 10 classic courses from the Super NES original game. Revealed during a September Nintendo Direct broadcast, the new tracks have been described by Nintendo as having been hidden across the open-world map. Classic courses from Super Mario Kart have been hiding in plain sight across the continent of Mario Kart World, and now 10 of them can be played as standalone races in VS Race,
the company stated in a press release.
Mario Kart World Update 1.8.0 Adds Ten Classic SNES Tracks For Free
Players can now select these retro layouts in VS Race mode, Time Trials, and races in Online Play and Wireless Play. The added tracks feature old-school item panels on the floor instead of the floating item boxes typically found in the open-world kart racer.
Full List of Added SNES and Retro Courses
The update incorporates several specific circuit layouts from the Super NES title alongside additional courses. The complete list of available tracks includes:
- Mario Circuit: SNES Mario Circuit 1, SNES Mario Circuit 2, and SNES Mario Circuit 3
- Ghost Valley: SNES Ghost Valley 1, SNES Ghost Valley 2, and SNES Ghost Valley 3
- Choco Mountain: SNES Choco Island 1 and SNES Choco Island 2
- Additional Courses: Sky-High Sundae and Koopa Beach
According to Kotaku, item boxes will appear on the race leading up to Mario Circuit, while the rest of the retro tracks utilize the floor-based question mark panels.
New Knockout Tour Routes and Spectator Features
Beyond the vintage tracks, Mario Kart World has expanded its Knockout Tour mode with two fresh routes: Propeller Rally and Turnip Rally. These new routes join previous tours like Drill Rally and Boomerang Rally, leaving four remaining blank spaces in the mode’s menu structure.
The patch also implements a dedicated Spectator Mode for online and LAN play sessions. Players can now join a custom room solely to watch ongoing matches without actively participating. Room capacities have been adjusted to accommodate up to 26 total participants in Online Play or LAN Play, with a maximum of 24 concurrent racers and two spectator slots.
Detailed Gameplay Tweaks and Adjustments
Version 1.8.0 brings multiple balance adjustments and technical changes to multiplayer and single-player modes:
- Time Trials now display lap times explicitly, with the time difference against ghost data changing color depending on performance (red when faster, blue when slower).
- Camera controls allow players to press the Y Button to switch to a participant’s perspective while spectating or racing, and the R Button to view real-time rankings.
- Item mechanics and physics have been tuned, including reduced wall-bounce frequencies for Green Shells, Coin Shells, fireballs, ice balls, and Boomerangs.
- The duration required to recover after being crushed by a Thwomp has been reduced, and players remain immune to Boo for a longer period after an item is stolen.
- Exploit fixes close off wall-riding around Ghost Valley road edges, correct an issue involving Feather shortcuts on Mario Circuit, and resolve an outer-corner boundary issue on Wario Stadium.
