Mario Kart World Update 1.8.0 Adds 10 SNES Courses and New Knockout Tour Routes

Official promotional imagery in this article is provided by Nintendo.

Mario Kart World Version 1.8.0 is available now on Nintendo Switch 2, bringing a substantial dose of Super Nintendo nostalgia to the game. Nintendo has added 10 courses inspired by the original Super Mario Kart, two additional Knockout Tour routes, and more multiplayer functionality.

The update was released September 9, 2026. Nintendo highlighted the new content again in its September 15 news coverage, making this a useful time to catch up before the upcoming Mario Kart World Open.

10 Super Mario Kart courses are now selectable

The headline addition is a set of 10 courses based on tracks from the 1992 Super NES game Super Mario Kart. Parts of these courses were already visible around Mario Kart World's connected map, but Version 1.8.0 turns them into selectable races.

Official Nintendo Mario Kart World gameplay screenshot

According to Nintendo's official update notes, the courses are available in VS Race, Time Trials, Online Play and Wireless Play. The additions include multiple SNES Mario Circuit layouts alongside courses drawn from familiar locations such as Ghost Valley, Choco Island and Vanilla Lake.

The classic-style question-mark panels also return on these courses, granting items in a visual nod to the original SNES game.

Knockout Tour gets Propeller Rally and Turnip Rally

Version 1.8.0 also expands Knockout Tour with two routes: Propeller Rally and Turnip Rally. Nintendo says players can select the new rallies after they have played one of the rallies in Knockout Tour.

Official Nintendo screenshot showing Mario Kart World racing

Knockout Tour is Mario Kart World's elimination-style mode: 24 drivers race continuously through the world and lower-placed racers are eliminated at checkpoints. The two additions give players more routes to learn rather than simply adding variants to standard circuit racing.

Spectator Mode and multiplayer changes

Nintendo's promotional announcement also calls out a Spectator Mode for sessions with friends online or through LAN Play. Online features require a Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account.

Official Nintendo Mario Kart World multiplayer gameplay screenshot

For players interested in the competitive side, the timing matters: Nintendo's Mario Kart World Open September 2026 runs September 19 at 2:00 p.m. PT through September 20 at 6:00 p.m. PT. Nintendo describes it as a qualifier for the Mario Kart World Fall Cup 2026 for North American players in December. Eligibility and tournament requirements apply.

What players should know

  • Update: Mario Kart World Version 1.8.0
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
  • Price: Free update for owners of Mario Kart World
  • Classic content: 10 courses inspired by Super Mario Kart
  • Modes: VS Race, Time Trials, Online Play and Wireless Play support the added classic courses
  • Knockout Tour: Propeller Rally and Turnip Rally added
  • Competitive event: Mario Kart World Open September 19–20, 2026

Why the update is worth revisiting

The most interesting part of Version 1.8.0 is that Nintendo is using Mario Kart World's existing world as a bridge to the series' history. Instead of treating the SNES-inspired areas only as scenery, the update turns them into standalone races and brings their recognizable item-panel design with them.

For longtime Mario Kart players, that creates a direct connection between the 1992 original and Nintendo's current Switch 2 racer. For newer players, it adds more courses and two more Knockout Tour routes without requiring a paid expansion.

Image credit: Official Nintendo promotional imagery/screenshots for Mario Kart World. Mario Kart, Nintendo Switch and related marks are trademarks of Nintendo. Source information: Nintendo's official Mario Kart World Version 1.8.0 update notes and Nintendo's Mario Kart World Open September 2026 event announcement.

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