Mario Kart World Update Brings Knockout Tour Team Races – Here Full Details

Nintendo has rolled out a free update for Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2, introducing a major gameplay upgrade with version 1.5.0. The latest update allows players to compete in team-based races within the popular Knockout Tour mode, expanding both local wireless and online room-based play.

Until now, Knockout Tour was strictly an individual competition. With this update, players can now band together and race as teams, adding a new layer of strategy and cooperation to the high-pressure mode.

What is Knockout Tour?

Knockout Tour is a nonstop racing mode featuring 24 drivers competing across connected global tracks without breaks or pit stops. The race includes five elimination checkpoints, and any driver who falls below the required placement at a checkpoint is knocked out. The race continues until only four drivers remain.

The new update transforms this experience by allowing up to four teams to compete together rather than racing in a free-for-all format.

What’s new in Mario Kart World Update 1.5.0?

The standout addition is team racing in Knockout Tour, now available in online rooms and local wireless play. Alongside this feature, Nintendo has also focused on stability and accessibility improvements.

Key additions and fixes include:

• Team races added to Knockout Tour for room-based online and local play
• Polish language support added to system language settings
• Bug fixes addressing a crash issue tied to Choco Mountain
• Fix for an online rating display issue in “Everyone” rooms
• Backend improvements for overall gameplay stability and online performance

How does the new Knockout Tour team format work?

The elimination structure remains the same, but pressure is now shared across teammates. At each checkpoint, the lowest-performing racers are eliminated until only four drivers remain.

Available team formats include:

• 2 teams (12 vs. 12)
• 3 teams (8 vs. 8 vs. 8)
• 4 teams (6 vs. 6 vs. 6 vs. 6)

Updated scoring system

In team races, higher placements are critical, as points now contribute to team survival. Under the new scoring system:

• 1st place earns 50 points
• 2nd place earns 40 points
• 3rd place earns 35 points
• 4th place earns 30 points
• Drivers eliminated at the first checkpoint receive 1 point

Availability of team races

It is important to note that Knockout Tour team races are not available in standard matchmaking. The mode can only be accessed through online room play or local wireless connections.

With Update 1.5.0, Mario Kart World delivers a fresh competitive twist, making Knockout Tour more collaborative, tactical, and engaging than ever before.