Mario Kart World offers a wide variety of racers to choose from, though some can only be accessed after meeting specific requirements in various modes. As tradition has it in this series, a mix of both hidden gems and famous characters from different Mario games are locked and require you to discover how to unlock them. By achieving certain milestones, you can expand your roster with both main characters and NPC drivers for upcoming races.
With nearly 50 characters in its extensive lineup, Mario Kart World categorizes them into two types: Main Characters and NPCs. Main Characters are well-known figures from the series, like Bowser Jr. and Donkey Kong, while NPCs tend to be lesser-known. Often seen as humorous additions, NPCs are typically less powerful than Main Characters but serve as fun references to background characters or enemies from previous Mario installments.
Unlocking Characters Through Grand Prix Races
How to Find Main Characters
The primary way to unlock Main Characters in Mario Kart World is by participating in a racing tournament known as a Grand Prix. Each Grand Prix consists of four unique tracks where you race against others, earning points based on your finish in each race. These four races form a single circuit, and the overall winner is determined by who accumulates the most points across all tracks.
Different Grand Prix tournaments feature various race track selections, usually centered around a specific theme. Completing an entire Grand Prix will start unlocking characters for your game. Once you’ve unlocked a Main Character through a Grand Prix, they become available for use in any other mode within Mario Kart World.
With the new open-world mode, identifying which four races correspond to specific Grand Prix Cups might be challenging. It’s a good idea to check which races belong to a Grand Prix to know what you need to complete to unlock characters.
Fortunately, you don’t need to place high in a Grand Prix to unlock characters—just finishing all four races tied to that Grand Prix is enough. This differs from previous games where you had to rank among the top players to unlock certain racers. The simplified process for character acquisition encourages players to participate in more races rather than replaying the same Grand Prix for better placements.
Unlocking NPC Drivers
Using Items to Unlock NPCs
Unlocking NPC drivers is a bit trickier since you can’t take specific actions to add them to your collection. Instead, any NPC racer in the game is unlocked through a special item referred to as Kamek’s Transformational Power, which can debuff your opponents. This item is typically provided to players who are trailing in a race, much like the Star Power or Bullet Bill power-ups.
When the Kamek item is activated, the titular wizard travels across the track to target top-ranking players, transforming several characters into NPCs. These transformed characters receive lower stats, making them less competitive. When under Kamek’s spell, an opponent’s kart is weakened, dramatically reducing its speed, durability, and maneuverability compared to Main Character vehicles.
The specific NPC that Kamek turns an opponent into is random each time you use the item in Mario Kart World. You cannot control which NPC appears, even under specific conditions.
Transforming into an NPC with the Kamek item permanently adds that character to your roster, allowing you to race as them in all modes. Although they carryover their lower stats, these characters can still be entertaining to use. Enthusiastic players might even attempt to win against stronger Main Characters using NPCs, or organize races where everyone competes as NPCs to create a level playing field.
As the appearance of Kamek’s Transformational Power is random, it may take time to unlock every NPC in Mario Kart World. Kamek might keep transforming players into the same NPCs, so persistence is key. Staying closer to the front of the pack can often trigger Kamek’s ability more frequently from racers behind you.
List of Unlockable Characters in Mario Kart World
Discover Familiar and Unexpected Rivals
In total, there are 7 Main Characters and 11 NPC racers that you can unlock, each possessing unique vehicles. Interestingly, the character you use doesn’t affect the requirements for unlocking new racers in Mario Kart World. Unlike prior titles, your choice of racer does not play a role in unlocking new characters.
The following tables outline each Main Character and NPC you can unlock, along with their requirements and the races linked to those goals:
|
Main Character |
How To Unlock |
Required Grand Prix Races |
|---|---|---|
|
Donkey Kong |
Complete the Mushroom Cup Grand Prix with any placement. |
|
|
Daisy |
Complete the Flower Cup Grand Prix with any placement. |
|
|
NPC Character |
How To Unlock |
|---|---|
|
Cataquack |
Transform into Cataquack using Kamek’s Transformational Power. |
|
Chargin’ Chuck |
Transform into Chargin’ Chuck using Kamek’s Transformational Power. |
Besides unlocking new racers, players can achieve other goals in the game to earn new Karts and Costumes for each character added to their roster. Once you’ve unlocked all the characters in Mario Kart World, setting your sights on these additional objectives will be your next challenge, especially if you’re seeking to achieve 100% completion in the game.
