Nintendo Support

How to Start a Multiplayer Game (Mario Kart World)

Follow these steps to start a local, wireless, or online multiplayer game in Mario Kart World.

Before you start

A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to play online.
Make sure everyone playing with their own copy of the game has updated their software to the latest version.
- For more details, see How to Update Software on Nintendo Switch 2
A compatible USB camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, can be connected to enable CameraPlay in Multiplayer and Online Play modes.

Complete these steps

Select the mode you would like to play:

Start the Mario Kart World software from the HOME Menu.
Press the L Button and R Button on the title screen.
Select Multiplayer, then select the number of players who will be playing on this system.
You'll be prompted to select a controller for each player.
- Nintendo Switch 2 controllers
  - For players using a single Joy-Con 2 each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top. You can also insert the Joy-Con 2 controller into a Joy-Con 2 Wheel.
  - For players using both Joy-Con 2 controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  - For players using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
- Nintendo Switch controllers
  - For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top. You can also insert the Joy-Con controller into a Joy-Con Wheel.
  - For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  - For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
Select the mode you'd like to play, then follow a few additional steps depending on which you selected:

Start the Mario Kart World software from the HOME Menu.
Press the L Button and R Button on the title screen.
Select Online Play, then select the number of players who will be playing on this system.
If you pick two players, you'll be prompted to select the controller for each player. Most settings will only be available for player 1 to adjust, such as picking rules, courses, and opening the map to warp to other areas. One player may also be warped back to the other if you get too far apart.
- Nintendo Switch 2 controllers
  - For players using a single Joy-Con 2 each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top. You can also insert the Joy-Con 2 controller into a Joy-Con 2 Wheel.
  - For players using both Joy-Con 2 controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  - For players using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
- Nintendo Switch controllers
  - For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top. You can also insert the Joy-Con controller into a Joy-Con Wheel.
  - For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  - For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.

Do you want to play with anyone, or just your friends?

How to host Wireless Play

Start the Mario Kart World software from the HOME Menu.
Press the L Button and R Button on the title screen.
Select Wireless Play, then select the number of players who will be playing on this system.
If you pick two players, you'll be prompted to select the controller for each player. Most settings will only be available for player 1 to adjust, such as picking rules, courses, and opening the map to warp to other areas. One player may also be warped back to the other if you get too far apart.
- Nintendo Switch 2 controllers
  - For players using a single Joy-Con 2 each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top. You can also insert the Joy-Con 2 controller into a Joy-Con 2 Wheel.
  - For players using both Joy-Con 2 controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  - For players using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
- Nintendo Switch controllers
  - For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top. You can also insert the Joy-Con controller into a Joy-Con Wheel.
  - For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  - For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
Select Create Room, then Yes.
Select your character and kart. You will load into Free Roam.
Wait for other players to join your room. Once all players have joined, press the + Button and select Start Game to set the rules you'll be playing by.
You can also drive around together in Free Roam.
- Press the Y Button to open the map and find other players. By selecting a course or player on the map, you can warp there.
- Press the + Button to open the menu and then press right on the directional buttons to open Photo Mode.

How to join Wireless Play

Start the Mario Kart World software from the HOME Menu.
Press the L Button and R Button on the title screen.
Select Wireless Play, then select the number of players who will be playing on this system.
If you pick two players, you'll be prompted to select the controller for each player. Most settings will only be available for player 1 to adjust, such as picking courses and opening the map to warp to other areas. One player may also be warped back to the other if you get too far apart.
- Nintendo Switch 2 controllers
  - For players using a single Joy-Con 2 each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top. You can also insert the Joy-Con 2 controller into a Joy-Con 2 Wheel.
  - For players using both Joy-Con 2 controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  - For players using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
- Nintendo Switch controllers
  - For players using a single Joy-Con each, hold the controller horizontally and press the SL and SR buttons on top. You can also insert the Joy-Con controller into a Joy-Con Wheel.
  - For players using both Joy-Con controllers, hold them vertically and press the L and R buttons on top.
  - For players using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, press the L and R shoulder buttons.
A list of available rooms is displayed. Select the room you'd like to join and then select Join.
Select your character and kart. You will load into Free Roam.
Wait for other players to join the room. Once all players have joined, the host will decide the rules and start a game.
Players are free to leave a race at any time and return to Free Roam. After leaving, your player in the race will be temporarily replaced by a COM player, and you can rejoin in the next race.
You can also drive around together in Free Roam.
- Press the Y Button to open the map and find other players. By selecting a course or player on the map, you can warp there.
- Press the + Button to open the menu and then press right on the directional buttons to open Photo Mode.

Additional information

You can play together with friends using GameChat to enhance your multiplayer experience.

Nintendo Support

How to Start a Multiplayer Game (Mario Kart World)

Before you start

Complete these steps

Multiplayer (2-4 players, one console)

Online Play (2-24 players, up to two per console)

Do you want to play with anyone, or just your friends?

Wireless Play (2-8 players, up to two per console)

How to host Wireless Play

How to join Wireless Play

Additional information

About Nintendo

Support

Parents

Community

Multiplayer (2-4 players, one console)

Grand Prix additional steps

Knockout Tour additional steps

VS Race additional steps

Balloon Battle additional steps

Coin Runners additional steps

Online Play (2-24 players, up to two per console)

Do you want to play with anyone, or just your friends?

Anyone

Friends

Do you want to create a room for your friends to join, or join a room created by a friend?

Create a Room

VS Race rules options and additional steps

Knockout Tour rules options and additional steps

Balloon Battle rules options and additional steps

Coin Runners rules options and additional steps

Join a Room

Wireless Play (2-8 players, up to two per console)

How to host Wireless Play

VS Race rules options and additional steps

Knockout Tour rules options and additional steps

Balloon Battle rules options and additional steps

Coin Runners rules options and additional steps

How to join Wireless Play

About Nintendo

Support

Parents

Community

Grand Prix additional steps

Knockout Tour additional steps

VS Race additional steps

Balloon Battle additional steps

Coin Runners additional steps

Anyone

Friends

Do you want to create a room for your friends to join, or join a room created by a friend?

Create a Room

VS Race rules options and additional steps

Knockout Tour rules options and additional steps

Balloon Battle rules options and additional steps

Coin Runners rules options and additional steps

Join a Room

VS Race rules options and additional steps

Knockout Tour rules options and additional steps

Balloon Battle rules options and additional steps

Coin Runners rules options and additional steps