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In an unexpected twist, Mario Kart World doesn’t start you off with all the characters. Popular figures like Donkey Kong, Daisy, and Rosalina have to be unlocked by completing specific tasks in the main campaign. We’re here to clarify what you need to do to get them.
You’ll also encounter other smaller characters, such as Chargin’ Chuck and Stingby, who become playable simply by discovering them during races or exploring the open world. There are many familiar and adorable faces waiting for you in Nintendo’s latest karting adventure, and here’s how to find them all.
Unlocking All Playable Characters
Mario Kart World boasts a large lineup, featuring many familiar faces, each with their own variant costumes that you can earn by consuming food items scattered throughout the game. After eating these items and donning the costume at least once, it gets added to your character selection menu.
As for more general characters like Para-Biddybud, Penguin, Dolphin, and other random enemies or NPCs from Mario games, they’ll become available after you’re transformed into them using the Kamek power-up. Unfortunately, these characters can’t acquire new costumes. Still, it’s amusing to see a Wiggler riding a motorcycle.
Unlocking Donkey Kong
To unlock Donkey Kong, you need to finish the Mushroom Cup. Donkey Kong will be added to your roster once this is achieved.
This might seem random at first, but the tracks in this cup reveal Nintendo’s intention. The Mushroom Cup concludes with DK Spaceport, where you’ll face a giant robotic ape hurling barrels at you.
There’s no need to finish in the top three during the Grand Prix to unlock characters. Just complete it, and you’re good to go!
Unlocking Daisy
To unlock Daisy, complete the Flower Cup, which features the Shy Guy Bazaar track, where you’ll race through the desert landscape of Sarasaland, first seen in Super Mario Land on the original Game Boy.
And again, don’t stress about scores if you’re still getting comfortable with the game.
Unlocking Rosalina
You can unlock Rosalina by completing the Star Cup, which features the stunning track Starview Peak, where Lumas dance around, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Rosalina also offers various stylish outfits to choose from.
Unlocking Lakitu
Yes, it’s a bit confusing that Lakitu can race while also supervising from his cloud. To unlock him, you must complete the Shell Cup, racing through the sunny delights of Koopa Troopa Beach.
You can tackle the Grand Prix cups in any order, and you’ll still unlock the corresponding characters. We tested this with two different profiles, so it’s confirmed!
Unlocking Birdo
Birdo has evolved a lot since her debut and now has her very own track, Salty Salty Speedway. You can unlock her by finishing the Banana Cup in any position.
Unlocking King Boo
If you’re looking to race as a cheeky ghost wearing a crown, you just need to complete the Leaf Cup, which features Boo Cinema as a notable track.
Unlocking Bowser Jr.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Bowser Jr. becomes available after you finish the Lightning Cup, with Bowser’s Castle as the final track.
And that’s how to unlock all the major characters in Mario Kart World. You won’t need to complete the Special Cup, which unlocks after finishing the first seven, to earn any new characters, so no need to worry!
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