Mario Kart World Update Delights Players With New Content

Mario Kart World, the cornerstone title for the Nintendo Switch 2 that reached a vast audience thanks to its widespread console-bundle availability, has just received a significant content refresh.

<p>Version 1.7.0 introduces a pair of fresh itineraries for the game's challenging Knockout Tour mode. For those unfamiliar, Knockout Tour transforms the typical racing experience into a high-stakes gauntlet; instead of isolated races, players navigate a continuous circuit of six tracks. With five critical checkpoints scattered throughout, falling into the bottom four racers at any of these junctures results in immediate elimination.</p>

<div class="display-card video large no-badge">
    <div class="w-adsninja-video-player">
        <div class="an-ignore">
            <div class="adsninja-video-player emaki-video-player emaki-video-player-c51130c3d060cd19" id="emaki-video-player-c51130c3d060cd19">
                <script>
                    window.valstream = window.valstream || {};
                    window.valstream.queue = window.valstream.queue || [];
                    window.valstream.queue.push(function(){
                        const fallbackContent = `<button class="prem-player-close">x</button><video class="adsninja-video-player" id='emaki_video-c51130c3d060cd19' poster="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/vlcsnap-2026-07-01-11h04m47s257.jpg?fit=crop&w=1024&h=576" controls><source src="https://video.polygonimages.com/2026/07/mario-kart-world-ver-1-7-0-update-out-now-nintendo-switch-2-1782900218.mp4" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video>`;
                        const fallbackToNativePlayer = function(){
                            const container = document.getElementById('emaki-video-player-c51130c3d060cd19');
                            if(!container) return;
                            container.innerHTML = fallbackContent;
                        };
                        if(!window.an || typeof window.an.monetizeVideo !== 'function'){
                            fallbackToNativePlayer();
                        } else {
                            window.an.monetizeVideo('.emaki-video-player-c51130c3d060cd19', JSON.parse(`{"name":"Instream-InContent","groupName":"content"}`), JSON.parse(`{"trackingId":"in-content","playlist":[{"title":"Mario Kart World \u2013 Ver.1.7.0 update","description":"","length":"1:35","mimeType":"video/mp4","url":"https://video.polygonimages.com/2026/07/mario-kart-world-ver-1-7-0-update-out-now-nintendo-switch-2-1782900218.mp4","thumbnailLink":"https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/vlcsnap-2026-07-01-11h04m47s257.jpg?fit=crop&w=1024&h=576","textTracks":[{"kind":"subtitles","label":"English","language":"en","url":"https://video.polygonimages.com/2026/07/mario-kart-world-ver-1-7-0-update-out-now-nintendo-switch-2-1782900218-1782900441.vtt","default":false}]}]}`)).catch(fallbackToNativePlayer);
                        }
                    });
                </script>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<p>The latest additions to the roster are "Drill Rally" and "Boomerang Rally." The former bridges the gap between Wario Shipyard and Bowser's Castle, while the latter links Salty Salty Speedway to the heights of Whistlestop Summit. Both courses are unlocked for any player who has successfully completed at least one prior Knockout Tour event.</p>

<div class="valnet-gallery images-count-2">
    <div id="article-gallery-1-1054415606" data-gallery-thumbnail-id="gallery-thumbnails-1-1054415606" data-gallery-id="main-carousel-1-1054415606" class="article__gallery type-gallery">
        <!-- Gallery contents remain as per standard implementation -->
        <script type="module">window.arrayOfGalleries["article-gallery-1-1054415606"] = '...';</script>
    </div>
</div>

<p>While Knockout Tour initially drew a polarized response upon the game's release, the consensus has shifted as players grow accustomed to the mechanics. Critics previously noted that the transition stretches between tracks often felt too linear, favoring power-up usage over technical driving prowess. Nevertheless, the recent social media discourse on the official <a href="https://x.com/NintendoUK/status/2072228720518058063" target="_blank">Nintendo UK X channel</a> highlights a warm reception, with many in the community expressing gratitude for the ongoing post-launch support.</p>

<p>Beyond the race tracks, Version 1.7.0 expands the creative toolset within Photo Mode. Users can now embellish their captures with a new variety of stickers, which can be layered alongside frames for more personalized compositions.</p>

<p>The 1.7.0 update is currently rolling out for <em>Mario Kart World</em> on the Nintendo Switch 2. For further details on the patch notes and upcoming features, check the <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/mario-kart-world-update-adds-two-new-routes-to-knockout-tour-and-more/" target="_blank">official Nintendo portal</a>.</p>

<div class="display-card article article-card small no-badge active-content" id="mario-kart-habits-players-should-stop-doing-immediately">
    <img width="440" height="248" loading="lazy" alt="mario kart world switch 2 launch game" src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/mario-kart-world-switch-2-launch-game.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=124&dpr=2">
    <span class="article-card-label"><label>Related</label></span>
    <div class="w-display-card-content regular article-block">
        <h5 class="display-card-title">5 Mario Kart habits players should stop doing immediately</h5>
        <p class="display-card-excerpt">You may be inadvertently hindering your own progress on the track.</p>
    </div>
</div>

Source: Polygon