Mario Kart World Direct time – here’s when and where to watch the big Nintendo Switch 2 racing game in action

The Mario Kart World announcement is almost upon us. Nintendo has decided to showcase its latest Switch 2 racing title tomorrow, April 17, undoubtedly providing us with a clearer look at Free Roam, the battle royale-like Knockout Tour mode, and additional features.

Announced right through this month’s wave of Nintendo Switch 2 updates – particularly during the significant Switch 2 announcement – Nintendo previously indicated that it would potentially present a more in-depth look at one of its major upcoming Switch 2 titles, Mario Kart World, in its dedicated presentation, which has now been confirmed to last fifteen minutes.

As for what will be showcased, we’ll just have to wait and see. Throughout a previous Treehouse: Live event, it was hinted that “there is more to Free Roam mode” than what Nintendo had revealed thus far, and fans were eager to tune into the announcement, so it seems we are indeed going to learn more about that. I personally have my hopes set on the return of Mario Kart DS’s Mission Mode. Perhaps we will also get a better glimpse at the character roster for Mario Kart World, which appears to be quite extensive and features some quirky and fascinating choices like the Moo Moo Meadows cow and, uh, a gloomy fish.

More broadly, the question remains about what Nintendo has included to justify that high price point for Mario Kart World, which is set at $80 in the US. Many fans have been urging Nintendo to “lower the price” of its new console and games, and it’s safe to say that this upcoming title doesn’t come cheap. Here’s hoping Nintendo will provide some clarity regarding what makes Mario Kart World worth picking up on the Switch 2 release date, June 5, during the event tomorrow.

Mario Kart World Announcement Time

This week’s Mario Kart World announcement will kick off relatively early in certain time zones, so depending on where you are located, you might want to start your day earlier to catch it live. Once again, it has been confirmed that the announcement will be approximately fifteen minutes long, making it a rather concise presentation compared to the 60-minute Switch 2 showcase.

Here’s a list of start times for the Mario Kart World announcement based on your time zone:

• 6am PT
• 9am ET
• 2pm BST
• 3pm CEST

Where to Watch the Mario Kart World Announcement

You will be able to watch the Mario Kart World announcement on either Nintendo’s YouTube channel or via the newly launched Nintendo Today app. While it is not yet set to air for another day, Nintendo has already shared a link to the stream, so you’ll be ready when it goes live.

While you’re here, make sure to check out our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide to help you secure the new console for yourself.

I’m one of the writers for GamesRadar+, collaborating with the rest of the editorial team to deliver exciting gaming updates that we are passionate about. After spending countless hours contributing to The University of Sheffield’s student newspaper with coverage on Pokemon and indie game narratives, and earning a degree in Journalism Studies, I launched my career at GAMINGbible where I served as a journalist for over a year and a half. I then became TechRadar Gaming’s news author, where I sourced updates and wrote on a variety of intriguing topics. In my downtime, you’ll likely find me playing on my Nintendo Switch or PS5, enjoying story-rich RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona 5 Royal, nuzlocking classic Pokemon titles, or striving for a Victory Royale in Fortnite.