All details uncovered in the Mario Kart World Direct: A Rewind feature and additional content.

      Today's Mario Kart World Direct unveiled a wealth of information about the upcoming game, showcasing a delightful mix of beloved features and exciting new gameplay mechanics. The Free Roam option allows players to explore the entire world, while a range of new tricks, such as grinding on rails, promises to rejuvenate the series.

      First, let’s discuss the courses. There are many courses spread across the map, each one thematically designed based on its geographical context. The Direct presented courses like the Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, the canal-themed Salty Salty Speedway, snowy Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad’s Factory, Peach Beach, Wario Shipyard, and many others. Familiar courses return but with some modifications to the tracks that players have cherished.

      Along with well-known characters like Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Yoshi, and Peach, numerous newcomers join the roster, including Goomba, Spike, and Cow (my personal favorite). Each character and vehicle comes with unique stats, allowing for diverse performance through different combinations. However, the Direct did not clarify if individual vehicle customization would be available.

      The classic Grand Prix Mode makes a return, challenging players with a series of four races while introducing a new element: players must drive themselves between locations. This means at the end of one Grand Prix segment, players will still need to rush to the next part. Additionally, a new gameplay mode called Knockout Tour operates like an elimination round; everyone starts together, but if you don’t finish high enough in each race, you are out.

      Not to worry, though: a variety of new items are designed to help you gain an advantage over your competitors, such as the Coin Shell for collecting extra funds when necessary, the Ice Flower for freezing opponents, and the Hammer for obstructing them. The Feather is another new feature that allows you to jump over incoming attacks and access hidden routes for a potential advantage.

      Moreover, new techniques like wall riding enable players to navigate vertically along walls. You can grind on a rail, leap from it, and ascend a wall, revealing shortcuts you may not have known existed.

      The courses are filled with obstacles, including cars that shoot Bullet Bills and Hammer Bro spectators hurling hammers at racers passing by.

      Mario Kart World also debuts Yoshi’s, a drive-through restaurant where players can permanently unlock new character outfits based on their meal choices. The Direct also highlighted P Switches that activate missions and more, suggesting it’s just one of many features available for players to unlock in Free Roam mode to enhance the game's replay value.

      However, the most surprising feature is the Rewind function. As the name implies, if you make a mistake during a race, you can rewind your character to a certain point, while your opponents continue progressing normally. It's a risk — will the shortcut be worth the potential loss of position?

      Mario Kart World will launch on June 5 alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, and based on today’s Direct, it seems poised to be an excellent launch title that will captivate players for a long time.