Mario Kart World Update 1.8.0 Adds New SNES Courses

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Nintendo has released Mario Kart World update 1.8.0, adding new courses, Knockout Tour content, Spectator Mode, and several gameplay adjustments. The update also expands online and LAN rooms to support up to 26 players, with up to 24 participants and additional players able to spectate.

The update introduces 10 SNES courses across several existing course locations, while Time Trials receive lap-time displays and revised ghost comparison colors. Nintendo has also adjusted item behavior, Blooper ink slipperiness, rate calculations, and several race mechanics alongside numerous bug fixes.

Mario Kart World Update 1.8.0 Patch Notes

New Courses and Knockout Tour Content

• Added Propeller Rally and Turnip Rally to Knockout Tour.
  • These rallies can be selected after playing one of the rallies in Knockout Tour.
• Added the following courses to VS Race, Time Trials, Online Play, and Wireless Play:
  • Mario Circuit
    • SNES Mario Circuit 1
    • SNES Mario Circuit 2
    • SNES Mario Circuit 3
  • Ghost Valley
    • SNES Ghost Valley 1
    • SNES Ghost Valley 2
    • SNES Ghost Valley 3
  • Choco Mountain
    • SNES Choco Island 1
    • SNES Choco Island 2
  • Sky-High Sundae
    • SNES Vanilla Lake 1
  • Koopa Beach
    • SNES Koopa Beach 1
• Item panels appear on these courses instead of item boxes.
• Item boxes appear on the race leading to Mario Circuit.
• Added buoys to the race leading from Acorn Heights and Dry Bones Burnout to Boo Cinema.

Time Trials

• Added lap times for each individual lap.
• Changed the color used for the time difference between the player and ghost data:
  • Red when the player’s time is faster than the ghost.
  • Blue when the player’s time is slower than the ghost.

Photo Mode and Spectating

• Added a filter to the frame that appears when using Photo Mode from the pause menu.
• Added the ability to use the Y Button to switch the camera to the player’s perspective while spectating or playing races, Knockout Tour, or Battle mode.
• Added the ability to use the R Button to view participants’ real-time rankings while spectating races or Knockout Tour.
• Added Spectator Mode for rooms in Online Play and LAN Play.
  • Spectator Mode allows players to watch without participating.
  • Press the Y Button from the pause menu after joining a room to switch to Spectator Mode.

Online and LAN Play

• Increased the maximum room size to 26 players in Online Play and LAN Play.
  • Up to 24 players can participate in the game.
  • When 24 participants are present, another player cannot join until a participant switches to Spectator Mode.
• Race rate fluctuation now varies according to course length.
• Changed the method used to calculate rates when players have the same score in Battle.

Gameplay and Item Adjustments

• Adjusted slipperiness when covered in Blooper ink.
• Reduced the number of times Green Shells, Coin Shells, Fireballs, Ice Balls, and Boomerangs bounce off walls.
• Reduced the time required to recover after being crushed by a Thwomp.
• Increased the invulnerability period after Boo takes an item from a player.
• Adjusted the probability of obtaining items from item boxes in races and Knockout Tour.
• Auto-Use Item can now be used when Custom Items are enabled.
• Added visibility for items that rivals may be holding:
  • Coin
  • ? Block
  • Kamek
  • Blooper
  • Feather
  • Fire Flower
  • Ice Flower
  • Boomerang
  • Hammer
• Players can no longer wall ride around the edge of the road in Ghost Valley.

Fixed Issues

• Fixed an issue where swinging the controller while jumping at the end of a rail could cause players to jump higher than usual.
  • Time Trials ghosts affected by this issue may be removed from View Rankings without prior notice.
• Fixed an issue where a player could become trapped after being pushed by a car following a crash.
• Fixed an issue in Free Roam where opening the map immediately before entering a pipe could make the controls inoperable.
• Fixed an issue where a Spiny Shell could ride along a rail in the reverse direction.
• Fixed an issue where going off-track on certain courses could cause players to respawn significantly further ahead.
• Fixed an issue in Bowser’s Castle where players could become stuck on the lava waterfall while moving through it as a Bullet Bill.
• Fixed an issue where players could pass through walls using the Feather in Dandelion Depths.
• Fixed an issue in Crown City where the finish line tape could disappear after crossing the finish line.
• Fixed an issue where the final ranking could be incorrect when using a Feather to take a shortcut on Mario Circuit.
• Fixed an issue where driving along the outer edge of a corner on Wario Stadium could cause players to go off-course.
• Addressed several other issues to improve the gameplay experience.

Mario Kart World update 1.8.0 was released on September 9, 2026. Mario Kart World was developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, where it released on June 5, 2025.

Have you tried the new SNES courses and Knockout Tour content? Share which addition you’re most excited to play.