- Mario Kart World Update 1.3.0 – All Details on the Big September Patch
- New Features in Ver. 1.3.0
- Bug Fixes and Technical Improvements
- How to Install the Update
- Outlook – What Does This Update Mean for Players?
Mario Kart World Update 1.3.0 – All Details on the Big September Patch
On September 23, 2025, Nintendo released a new update for Mario Kart World (*). Version 1.3.0 is now available for download on the Nintendo Switch 2 (*) and is required to continue using the game’s online features. Alongside new gameplay additions, the patch also fixes several bugs that improve the overall experience.
New Features in Ver. 1.3.0
The update focuses mainly on Online Play and Free Roam. Here are the highlights:
- Join friends in Knockout Tour – Players can now directly jump into Knockout Tour lobbies with friends.
- Free Roam with up to 2 players while waiting – Previously, if a race or mode was full, you could only spectate. Now, you can pass the time in Free Roam with a friend.
- New map functions in Free Roam – P-Switches and collected Peach Medallions are now displayed, and you can warp directly to these spots.
- Character transformation via UFOs – If pulled up by a UFO, you can transform into the character it takes. This feature can be disabled in settings.
- More frequent UFO encounters – Adds more variety and fun to Free Roam.
- Adjusted Peach Medallion conditions – Some medallions now appear under different conditions.
- New spectator options – In Knockout Tour or Balloon Battle, you can now choose who to watch, even with Joy-Con controllers held horizontally.
- Balancing changes – Faster item box respawn, longer invincibility after collisions, and weaker jump rebounds when landing on rivals.
Additionally, in VS Races and Wireless Play, lap-type tracks will now appear more often in the course selection.
Bug Fixes and Technical Improvements
Many annoying bugs have been resolved with this patch:
- Incorrect rankings in Online and Wireless Play have been fixed.
- CPU drivers losing positions in Grand Prix and Knockout Tour is resolved.
- The Spiny Shell (Blue Shell) sometimes missed first place or launched players too far – this is fixed.
- Issues with item slots under Lightning, mid-air pillar collisions, and water wall rides have been corrected.
- Track glitches in Bowser’s Castle, Sky-High Sundae, and Cheep Cheep Falls involving Bullet Bill, item boxes, or walls were fixed.
- Free Roam problems such as faulty pipes and distorted result screens have been addressed.
Nintendo also notes that several smaller bugs were patched to improve stability and performance.
How to Install the Update
The update downloads automatically if your console is online and auto-update is enabled. To update manually:
- On the Nintendo Switch 2 (*), select the Mario Kart World (*) icon.
- Press the plus or minus button – the current version number will be shown.
- Select “Software Update” → “Via the Internet.”
All players must be on version 1.3.0 to play together online.
Outlook – What Does This Update Mean for Players?
With version 1.3.0, Nintendo shows its ongoing commitment to Mario Kart World (*). The Free Roam mode is receiving more attention, offering fans greater variety and freedom. Online Play adjustments also create a fairer and less frustrating experience.
Looking ahead, it remains exciting to see what future updates will bring. Previous patches like 1.2.0 introduced new item rules and replay functions, so fans can hope for additional modes, characters, or even new tracks in upcoming updates.
Source: Official Patch Notes
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