Nintendo is releasing a free update for Mario Kart World that introduces ten retro courses adapted from the original Super Mario Kart on the SNES, including favourites such as Choco Island, Mario Circuit and Ghost Valley. These tracks had already existed within the game's open world but were previously used only for exploration rewards and timed P-Switch missions rather than actual racing, making this the first time Mario Kart World has added genuinely new courses to Versus mode since launch.

The update, version 1.8.0, also brings two new routes to Knockout Tour, the game's elimination-style mode featuring long, interconnected paths. A nostalgic touch sees question blocks appear flat on the ground rather than floating, mirroring how power-ups were collected in the original SNES title. The news was announced during a recent Nintendo Direct, which also revealed a new 2D Metroid game and an open-world Kirby title, while Mario Kart 8 Deluxe separately received a Switch 2 update adding eight-player split-screen and improved visuals.