Unlocking Mirror Mode in Mario Kart: Step-by-Step Guide

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Mirror Mode in Mario Kart has long been a favorite for players seeking a new challenge, and this trend continues in Mario Kart World. After mastering the Grand Prix and Knockout Tour Rallies in 150cc, Mirror Mode becomes your next exciting hurdle, where you must navigate familiar tracks in reverse, putting your skills to the ultimate test.

For those unfamiliar, Mirror Mode is a flipped version of the tracks you’ve been racing on. Since racing success relies heavily on track familiarity, this mode shifts everything backward, requiring you to adapt quickly in unpredictable scenarios. However, this mode is unlocked only after certain prerequisites are met to ensure it presents a challenge for seasoned players.

Unlocking Mirror Mode: Requirements

Complete Mario Kart World to Access This Challenge

Since Mario Kart has introduced an open-world format with Mario Kart World, the criteria for unlocking Mirror Mode have remained quite simple. Generally, they include winning a trophy in each Grand Prix cup, specifically in 150cc mode. This structure exists because Mirror Mode aims to refresh the experience for those already fluent in the tracks’ turns and shortcuts.

To access Mario Kart World’s Mirror Mode, you must fulfill the following:

Requirement	Details
Finish All 7 Grand Prix Cup Races on 150cc	You don’t need to finish first, but you must earn a trophy (bronze, silver, or gold). Additionally, it has to be in 150cc—completing cups in 50cc or 100cc won’t count.
Finish All 8 Knockout Tour Rallies on 150cc	Similar to the Grand Prix, you don’t need to come in first, but you must finish the race without being knocked out before the final round, also on 150cc.
Collect 10 Peach Medallions	Gather 10 Peach Medallions during Free Roam.
Finish 10 P-Switch Missions	You need to complete at least 10 P-Switch Missions in Free Roam. Some players believe the requirement is higher, but players have successfully unlocked Mirror Mode with just 10.
Locate 10 ? Panels	Find and activate 10 ? Panels in Free Roam.

Once you’ve met these criteria, you need to complete the Special Cup in Grand Prix on 150cc. After doing so, a cutscene will play, officially unlocking Mirror Mode. If you already completed the Special Cup before meeting these conditions, you’ll need to replay it.

If you believe you’ve satisfied all the requirements, double-check that each race was completed in 150cc, as it’s easy to mistakenly finish a cup in a lower difficulty.

Though there isn’t clear in-game guidance on what’s required for unlocking Mirror Mode, these criteria are determined by player experiences and comparisons. Therefore, it’s possible there are additional unknown requirements or that unlocking could be based on a player’s cumulative activity. However, based on community feedback, these are widely accepted as the necessary steps.

If Mirror Mode remains locked after confirming the above conditions and replaying the Special Cup, keep engaging in other game elements and gathering items in Free Roam, as some players speculate there may be a hidden time requirement related to Free Roam as well.

Meeting Free Roam Mirror Mode Requirements

Mirror Mode in Free Roam

In a delightful twist, Mirror Mode isn’t limited to races in Mario Kart World; it also applies to Free Roam. Fortunately, activating this feature is straightforward once you’ve unlocked Mirror Mode. Just go to Peach Stadium in Free Roam mode to access it.

To activate Mirror Mode in Free Roam—after meeting all other requirements—navigate to Peach Stadium and follow the track to the warp tunnel. Proceed along the right side and onto the castle roof until you reach the stained-glass window of Princess Peach, featured in the Mirror Mode cutscene.

Note that Mirror Mode will not stay active after reopening the game. If you exit while in Free Roam’s Mirror Mode, it will revert to normal when you relaunch the game. To deactivate it without quitting, simply return through the stained-glass window of Peach.

Once you’re in front of the stained-glass window, drive through it to recreate that nostalgic moment reminiscent of Mario 64 before emerging in Mirror Mode. Now, you can explore Mario Kart World in a flipped perspective!