During the September 2026 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced that Mario Kart World is receiving a free version 1.8.0 update featuring classic Super Mario Kart tracks, new Knockout Tour routes, and Spectator Mode. During the September 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo revealed a major surprise for Nintendo Switch 2 racers: a brand-new free update for Mario Kart World that rolls out immediately. Classic Super Mario Kart Tracks Return The headline addition of update version 1.8.0 is the inclusion of 10 retro courses inspired by the original 1992 SNES title, Super Mario Kart. Players can now jump into dedicated standalone races across these classic circuits in VS Race mode, featuring favorites such as Ghost Valley 1, Choco Island, Vanilla Lake, and Mario Circuit. To preserve the nostalgic feel of the 16-bit era, these retro courses feature the classic flat question-mark item tiles directly embedded into the track surface rather than the floating item boxes standard in modern entries. New Knockout Tour Routes and Spectator Mode Alongside the retro tracks, the update brings expanded content to the game's Knockout Tour mode with two brand-new rally configurations: Propeller Rally Turnip Rally Multiplayer options are also getting a boost. Update 1.8.0 introduces a dedicated Spectator Mode, allowing players to watch friends race during online lobbies and local LAN sessions. Availability The version 1.8.0 update is available now as a free download for all Mario Kart World owners on Nintendo Switch 2.
