Mario Kart World Update 1.5.0: Full Patch Notes & Analysis

Players of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World have a new update to download today. Version 1.5.0 is now live, bringing a handful of new features and a list of bug fixes to the popular racing game.

While the patch is not as extensive as the major 1.4.0 update released late last year, it introduces meaningful quality-of-life improvements for multiplayer fans and addresses specific gameplay issues. The update focuses on social racing and language accessibility, alongside crucial stability fixes.

The centerpiece of the version 1.5.0 update is the introduction of team-based racing within the Knockout Tour mode. Previously, this high-stakes elimination mode was strictly a free-for-all affair. Now, players can team up with friends to tackle the gauntlet together.

This new functionality is available in both Online Play and Wireless Play modes. To access the feature, players must be in a multiplayer room with friends. The addition encourages coordinated strategy, allowing teammates to work together to secure victory in the competitive elimination format.

In addition to gameplay changes, Nintendo has expanded the game's linguistic reach. The update adds full support for the Polish language. Players can switch their language preference through the standard system settings menu, making the game more accessible to a broader international audience.

Perhaps the most intriguing fix in the patch notes addresses a specific issue on the Choco Mountain track. The official notes state that an issue has been resolved where the game would sometimes end unexpectedly if a player used Kamek on this course.

This fix has sparked curiosity among the community because Kamek is not currently a playable character in the roster. The reference likely pertains to the Kamek item, which transforms opponents into helpless creatures. Regardless of the specific cause, the fix aims to stabilize gameplay on this classic track.

Beyond the Choco Mountain issue, the update targets several other stability problems. One specific fix corrects a display error where player ratings would sometimes show incorrectly when joining an "Everyone" room in Online Play. The patch notes conclude by stating that "several other issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience," ensuring a smoother overall performance.

Version 1.5.0 arrives as a relatively minor refinement compared to its predecessor. The version 1.4.0 update, launched at the end of the previous year, was a substantial overhaul that reworked the layouts of several areas to "spice up" the game's open world.

The significant changes in the 1.4.0 patch led fans to believe that Nintendo would continue to roll out major content expansions. However, this latest release suggests a shift toward maintenance and polish rather than sweeping structural changes.

As of this update, Nintendo has not introduced any new downloadable content (DLC), free or otherwise, for Mario Kart World. The development team appears to be focused on refining the core experience on the new hardware.

The release of version 1.5.0 signals a period of stabilization for Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2. While players may have hoped for new tracks or characters, the focus on multiplayer functionality and bug fixing is essential for maintaining a polished player experience.

With the Switch 2 lifecycle still in its early stages, the game's future remains open to expansion. The groundwork laid by these updates will likely support more significant content additions down the line. For now, players can enjoy a more stable and socially connected racing experience.