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Mario Kart World 1.4.0: Custom Items & Tweaks for Switch 2

Mario Kart World 1.4.0: Custom Items & Tweaks for Switch 2
Mario Kart World 1.4.0 update splash art with karts and iconic characters

The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 launch title, Mario Kart World, has just received its significant Version 1.4.0 update, rolling out on December 2nd, 2025. This meaty patch delivers game-changing custom item rules, overhauls numerous track layouts, and introduces new musical insights, promising a deeper, more personalized, and polished racing experience for fans worldwide.

Unleash Mayhem with Custom Item Rules

Undoubtedly the marquee feature of Update 1.4.0 is the long-awaited introduction of "Custom Items". This pivotal addition grants players unprecedented control over their item loadouts, allowing for strategic removal of disliked items—farewell, pesky Lightning!—or the creation of utterly chaotic scenarios, like a "Blue Shells Only" free-for-all. This highly requested customization is supported across key modes including "VS Race", "Balloon Battle", "Coin Runners", and when setting up a "Room" in both "Online Play" and "Wireless Play", empowering players to tailor their racing fun like never before.

Enhanced Tracks and Intermission Revisions

Racers will discover a substantial series of adjustments to course layouts, affecting a "long list" of tracks. A particular focus addresses the community's feedback regarding "intermission tracks"—segments where gameplay occurs between distinct courses. Most notably, all races that culminate at "Koopa Troopa Beach" will now feature two full laps upon arrival, a welcome change from the previous single-lap format. This revision impacts routes originating from popular spots such as "DK Spaceport," "Crown City," "Peach Stadium," "Whistlestop Summit," and "Desert Hills" when en route to Koopa Troopa Beach, significantly enhancing the flow and enjoyment of these segments.

A Symphony of Sound: Music Features Added

For audiophiles and fans of Mario Kart World’s acclaimed soundtrack—a vibrant collection of remixes and fresh renditions of classic Nintendo tunes—Update 1.4.0 adds a layer of appreciation. The Pause Menu will now conveniently display the name of the currently playing music track, along with its original game source. Additionally, players can fine-tune their auditory experience with the introduction of a dedicated "Music Volume" control within the "Settings/Controller" menu.

Quality-of-Life Improvements and Online Refinements

Beyond the headline features, Nintendo has implemented a robust suite of quality-of-life enhancements and refined online play functionalities:

  • Regeneration times for Dash Food and coins placed on water have been shortened for more dynamic racing.
  • Players are now prevented from using a second Boo item while already benefiting from one, even if two are held.
  • The Pause Menu in Single Player "VS Race" now includes convenient "Restart" and "Next Race" options.
  • "Photo Mode" is now directly accessible from the Pause Menu during "Race against Ghost" in "Time Trials".
  • Manta Ramp rides now trigger a dash.
  • Bullet Bill transformations will no longer result in unintended collisions with Dragoneel.
  • Online "Rooms" fully support "Race", "Knockout Tour", and "Battle" modes for up to four players.
  • Joining friends in "Knockout Tour" via the "Friends" menu in "2p" or "Online Play" has been streamlined.

Extensive Bug Squashing for Smoother Races

Version 1.4.0 also delivers an impressive roster of bug fixes, meticulously addressing numerous glitches to ensure a polished gameplay experience. These range from correcting incorrect dash times post-Charge Jump and resolving instances where players might slip through walls or get stuck on environmental features like Thwomps, bulldozers, or specific track elements, to fixing display issues with Bullet Bills and character blurs in Photo Mode. Online play stability has received significant attention, with fixes for communication errors, player placement issues during "Knockout Tour", and various character/vehicle display anomalies. This comprehensive suite of fixes underpins a smoother, more reliable, and ultimately more enjoyable racing adventure across Mario Kart World’s vast landscapes.