Get ready to race in Mario Kart World! This new game has the biggest group of Mario Kart characters ever, even bringing in some wild surprises like a Cow and a Snowman. You might be wondering, “Who isn’t in Mario Kart World?” We’ve got the scoop on all the awesome racers confirmed so far. Whether you’re looking for your favorite or curious about the funny new faces, we’ll show you everyone!
Some familiar friends from past games, like Diddy Kong and the seven Koopalings, haven’t been shown yet, but we’re still hoping they might show up. They’re more likely to appear than characters from other games, like Link or Isabelle, who were in an older Mario Kart game.
Below is a list of every character in Mario Kart World that we’ve seen in videos and other official stuff. This includes old favorites coming back and lots of brand new drivers!
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Back for More Fun in Mario Kart World!
Lots of classic Mario Kart characters you know and love are returning. We’ve seen them in videos for Mario Kart World. This list focuses on those who were in past console games, not just the mobile game Mario Kart Tour.
Awesome New Racers in Mario Kart World!
Get ready for some fresh faces hitting the track! Mario Kart World is adding many characters who haven’t been playable before.
1. Nabbit
This purple rabbit thief first showed up as an enemy you chased in New Super Mario Bros. U. He’s been a playable character in newer 2D Mario games because he doesn’t get hurt by enemies, making him an easy choice. He was also in Mario Kart Tour, so seeing him in Mario Kart World isn’t a total shock, but it’s still cool!
2. Goomba
Goombas are super famous Mario bad guys. If you showed a picture to someone who doesn’t play games, they might still know this little brown mushroom guy! They’ve been in tons of Mario games since the very first one, usually as easy enemies. Goombas have been obstacles in past Mario Kart games, but now you can actually race as one!
3. Cow
Yep, a Cow! Remember the cows from Moo Moo Farm or Moo Moo Meadows tracks? Now one is a playable character in Mario Kart World! People are really excited about this. It’s pretty funny that we can race as a cow that’s always just been hanging out in the background.
4. Hammer Bro
This isn’t just any Koopa; it’s a Koopa who throws hammers! Hammer Bros first appeared in Super Mario Bros. and often show up in pairs. He was a playable character in Mario Kart Tour, so it’s nice to see him join Mario Kart World.
5. Coin Coffer
These frog-like things that drop coins when you jump on them first appeared in Super Mario 3D Land. They’ve been in other 3D Mario games, and you can even become one as Mario in Super Mario Odyssey! This is their very first time being a playable Mario Kart character.
6. Piranha Plant
This famous enemy is finally a playable racer! Piranha Plants have been a main enemy since Super Mario Bros. and are in almost every Mario game, biting, spitting fire, or even singing! Don’t mix them up with Petey Piranha, who was playable before. Piranha Plants have been obstacles in Mario Kart games, and even an item!
7. Conkdor
These ostrich-like birds from Super Mario 3D World are known for slamming their beaks down. It’s surprising they’re playable in Mario Kart World since they haven’t been in many games besides being obstacles in Mario Party. But hey, if everything else can drive, why not a big bird?
8. Chargin’ Chuck
These are the football-playing Koopas from Super Mario World! You might remember them charging at you. They’ve been in many newer Mario games and were playable in the mobile game Mario Kart Tour, so it makes sense they’re getting a kart in this game.
9. Snowman
The cute Snowman from Super Mario 64 (and later games) is joining the race in Mario Kart World! They usually just stand around, but they’re cute and easy to recognize. They’ve been obstacles in snowy Mario Kart tracks before.
10. Sidestepper
This crab from the first Mario Bros. game is one of the oldest Mario enemies! It came out of tunnels and took two hits to defeat. It totally deserves a spot here! Sidestepper has been in lots of Mario games and many beach courses in Mario Kart as an obstacle. Now you can be the crab!
11. Cheep Cheep
These fish have been a staple of underwater levels since Super Mario Bros. It’s almost weird if they aren’t in a Mario game! Like other new characters, Cheep Cheeps were obstacles in past Mario Kart games. How will a fish drive a kart without hands? That’s a fun question!
12. Rocky Wrench
Not to be confused with Monty Mole, this guy wears goggles and throws wrenches from holes! They first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3 on airships. They’ve been in some random Mario games since and were obstacles on airship tracks in Mario Kart games.
13. Monty Mole
This is the original mole from Super Mario World who pops out of holes and runs at you. They’ve been in many Mario games and were playable in Mario Kart Tour. Now they get their chance in Mario Kart World!
14. Fish Bone
Skeleton fish! Fish Bones are the spooky skeleton versions of Cheep Cheeps from Super Mario World. Since Koopa Troopas and Dry Bones are in Mario games, and Cheep Cheeps are playable, it’s only fair to add Fish Bones too! They’ve also been obstacles in newer Mario Kart games. Again, how do they drive? Magic!
15. Dolphin
Dolphins were like helpful platforms in Super Mario World, jumping out of the water for Mario to land on. They haven’t been in many games since, but they’re making a comeback here. While not obstacles in Mario Kart like others, a dolphin-themed motorcycle from Mario Kart Wii is returning in Mario Kart World.
16. Penguin
This is just a regular penguin! They first appeared in Super Mario 64. Remember having to carry the baby penguin? Now you can race as a grown-up one in Mario Kart! They’ve been annoying obstacles in snowy Mario Kart courses, gliding around.
17. Para-Biddybud
These newer flying enemies from Super Mario 3D Land haven’t shown up a lot since their first game. Surprisingly, a Para-Biddybud is also playable in Mario Kart World! A kart based on them from Mario Kart 8 is also back. Now you can be a Para-Biddybud driving a Para-Biddybud kart!
18. Stingby
Bee careful! These bees from Super Mario 3D Land are different from the fuzzy ones in Super Mario Galaxy. These have stingers! Stingbies were in a bee-themed battle course in Mario Kart 7 but haven’t been in a Mario Kart game until now.
19. Pokey
These cactus bad guys have been around since Super Mario Bros. 2! They got their famous yellow look in Super Mario World and were a favorite snack for Yoshi. Yum! Pokeys have been in quite a few Mario Kart games, causing trouble on desert tracks and even bending over to make an archway. Now they have their driver’s license!
20. Cataquack
These blue ducks are famous from Super Mario Sunshine for running up and flipping Mario high in the air! They also did the same thing in Super Mario Galaxy. They can actually be helpful sometimes by helping Mario reach high places. Cataquacks were in a few Mario Kart games, mostly on the Peach Beach level. If you’re a big fan of this weird duck, you can play as them now!
21. Peepa
Not a regular ghost! Peepa is a newer ghost enemy from Super Mario 3D Land. Unlike Boos who chase you, Peepas move in set paths. This is Peepa’s very first time in any Mario Kart game, even as a background character! Congrats, Peepa!
22. Spike
Spike first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 3, spitting out big spiky balls. Gross! He didn’t show up much after that until the 2010s, when he started appearing in more games, even becoming playable in Mario Tennis Aces and Mario Party 10. This is Spike’s first time in any Mario Kart game, which is kind of surprising!
23. Pianta
These are the people from Isle Delfino in Super Mario Sunshine. They’re pretty well-known and often show up in the background of games, cheering during races or sports. They’ve been in Mario Kart games before, but this is the first time you can race as one!
24. Swoop
These little bats have been around for a long time, since Super Mario World, where they’d swoop down from cave ceilings. They’ve shown up in caves in many Mario games since then. Swoops have been obstacles in Mario Kart games, but now you can play as one in Mario Kart World!
Conclusion…
Mario Kart World is bringing a massive and exciting group of characters in Mario Kart to the track, including many unexpected newcomers alongside the classic favorites. Get ready for some wild races with this huge roster! You might even find yourself wanting a Mario or Luigi costume or other Mario Kart costumes to celebrate the fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mario Kart World has a total of 50 playable characters confirmed so far, with 30 returning and 20 brand new. Some sources suggest there could be even more, potentially over 60 when including costumes.
Yes! Mario Kart World introduces many new characters like Goomba, Cow, Piranha Plant, Snowman, and many others who have never been playable racers in a Mario Kart game before.
Yes, some of the main characters will have alternate outfits or costumes that you can unlock.
Many classic characters are coming back, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Toad, and many more from past Mario Kart games.
Yes, several characters who were first playable in the mobile game Mario Kart Tour, like Nabbit, Hammer Bro, Chargin’ Chuck, and Monty Mole, are now playable in Mario Kart World on a console.
