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In a little bit of a surprising move,Mario Kart Worlddoesn’t provide you with all playable characters right from the starting line. Household names like Donkey Kong, Daisy, Rosalina, and more have to be earned by meeting set conditions within the main campaign, and we’re here to break down those conditions.
You also have a number of smaller characters, likeChargin’ ChuckandStingbywho are made playable by stumbling across them during races or in the open world. There are loads of cute and familiar faces to be found inNintendo’slatest kart racer, and here’s how to find them all.
How To Unlock Every Playable Character
Mario Kart World has an extensive roster, offering a number of the usual suspects, each with their ownvariant costumes that can be earned by eating food items spread across the world. Once these are consumed, andyou’ve worn the costume at least once, it will be added to the character select screen for future use.
As for more general characters likePara-Biddybud, Penguin, Dolphinand those who are just random enemies and NPCs you’d find in Mario games, those will beadded to the roster after you’ve been transformedinto them by theKamek power-up. Unfortunately,none of these are able to equip or earn new costumes. At least it’s fun to see a Wiggler drive a motorbike.
How To Unlock Donkey Kong
Characters are unlocked by completing their associated Grand Prix, beginning with Donkey Kong, who will be added to the roster once youfinish the Mushroom Cup.
While this selection may seem random at first, you only need to look at the tracks included in this cup to see what Nintendo was going for. As for Mushroom, it ends withDK Spaceportas you have to contend with a giant robotic ape yeeting barrels at you.
You don’t need to place in first, second, or third to unlock each character either, all that is required is to complete the Grand Prix.
How To Unlock Daisy
Daisy can be unlocked by completing the Flower Cup, which happens to feature the trackShy Guy Bazaar in which you race through the desert region of Sarasaland. A location we first saw introduced in Super Mario Land on the original Game Boy decades ago.
Just like before, don’t worry about reaching the podium if you’re still getting the hang of things.
How To Unlock Rosalina
Super Mario Galaxy’sRosalina is unlocked by completing the Star Cup, featuring a lovingly crafted track known asStarview Peakthat has a bunch of Lumas flying around the place. It is a sight to behold, while Rosalina also has a number of great outfits to choose from.
How To Unlock Lakitu
Yes, you aren’t the only one confused about the fact Lakitu can not only be picked as a kart racer, but is also still hanging out on his cloud calling the shots during races.
you may tackle the Grand Prix cups in any order, and you’ll still unlock characters which correspond to each one. We tried this on two different profiles to make sure.
Anyway,he can be unlocked by completing the Shell Cupand conquering the sunny delights ofKoopa Troopa Beach.
How To Unlock Birdo
Birdo has come a long way since her debut, and now even has a track all to herself with the debut ofSalty Salty Speedway. You can earn them as a playable character byclearing away the Banana Cup at any position.
How To Unlock King Boo
If you want to play as a cheeky ghost with a fabulous crown, all you need to do isconquer the Leaf Cup. The presence ofBoo Cinemais a dead giveaway here.
How To Unlock Bowser Jr
Following in the footsteps of his Dad, Bowser Jr can be unlocked by finishing theLightning CupfeaturingBowser’s Castleas the final track.
With that, you’ve now unlocked all the major characters in Mario Kart World.There are no new characters to be earned by completing the Special Cupthat unlocks after completing the previous seven, so don’t worry about that one.
