Mario Kart World Guide to Unlocking Characters – So youโve launched Mario Kart World, taken your first drift around the track, and now you’re staring at that character screen wonderingโwhere are all the other racers? Well, buckle up, because this isn’t just a race; it’s a collectible hunt, a fashion show, and a Mario universe cameo-fest all rolled into one.
Letโs break it all downโthe hidden characters, fancy outfits, and those mysterious NPC racers that everyone wants but nobody knows how to get.
๐ Three Types of Racers You Can Unlock
Before you start turbo-boosting through every track, understand this: the game splits racers into three categories:
- Main Characters (like Mario, Yoshi, Bowserโyour usual suspects)
- Main Character Outfits (alternate looks for the characters you already have)
- NPC Characters (you know, the Piantas, Goombas, and even wild wildlife types)
Letโs dive into each.
๐ How to Unlock All the Main Characters
Youโll begin with a few classics already in your garageโMario, Bowser, and Yoshi are all ready to roll. But others? Youโve got to earn those.
Just hop into Grand Prix mode (solo or with friends), and simply complete each of the seven base cups. No need to win, just finish. Hereโs who you get and where:
- Donkey Kong โ Finish Mushroom Cup
- Daisy โ Flower Cup
- Rosalina โ Star Cup
- Lakitu โ Shell Cup
- Birdo โ Banana Cup
- King Boo โ Leaf Cup
- Bowser Jr. โ Lightning Cup
Pro tip: While playing a cup, the unlockable character for that cup will appear in your racesโoften racing neck-and-neck with you like a boss battle on wheels.
๐ Character Outfits: Fashion Meets Speed
Here’s where it gets funโand a little weird. Ever seen Mario in a sushi chef outfit? You will.
As you explore the game and grab meals from Yoshiโs Restaurants or food trucks around the map, your characters can transform into new outfits. These outfits donโt affect performanceโjust style. Some characters have more looks than others. Marioโs got 10, while poor Shy Guy only has 3.
Hereโs the twist: the outfit you unlock depends on the food you consume, and where you grab it.
- ๐ฆ Ice cream near Sky High Sunday? Thatโs probably dessert-themed Mario.
- ๐ข Shish kebabs near Warriorโs Galleon? Test it outโeach food item might unlock something.
You can test outfits by switching characters after eating, and keep track of everything via the map menu. If you eat a food with no matching outfit? No outfit change, but you still get a small speed boost.
๐ญ Unlocking NPC Characters (Yes, Even Cows Are Playable)
Hereโs where things get truly bizarreโin the best way.
Some of the weirdest and most fun characters, like a Moo Moo Cow, arenโt unlocked in the usual way. Instead, they come from Kamk transformations.
Kamk is a random, rare item that can turn you into an NPC during a race. It happens when someone uses the item and youโre directly in front of them. Think magical chaos. Itโs unpredictable, but exciting.
What you transform into depends on where you’re racing. For example:
- On Moo Moo Meadows, youโre likely to become a Cow.
- In other courses, expect different characters based on that trackโs theme.
We tried to force these transformations using two-player setups, but honestly? Just racing normally gave us the best results. Stick to the middle of the pack during online matchesโKamk seems to favor the chaos zone.
๐ Quick Tips for Max Unlock Efficiency
- Donโt stress about winning: Finishing a cup is enough to unlock characters.
- Focus on location-based food collection: Certain areas give specific meals more consistently.
- Keep switching characters when collecting food to test new outfits.
- Play solo Grand Prix if you want more Kamk transformation chances.
- Use the map menu to track what youโve unlockedโdonโt rely on memory alone.
๐ Whatโs Next?
The folks at IGN are still uncovering which food gives which outfits, and which races trigger which transformations. Expect more updates as discoveries roll in.
In the meantime, keep collecting, experimenting, and racing like the karting fashion icon you are. Whether you’re sporting sushi Mario or transforming into a Pianta mid-race, Mario Kart World isnโt just about speedโitโs about style, surprise, and unlocking every bit of chaotic magic the game has to offer.