Mario Kart World Update 1.5.0: Full Patch Notes & Analysis

IGN3h ago

3 min read

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Key Facts

✓ Nintendo has officially released the Mario Kart World version 1.5.0 update for the Nintendo Switch 2.
✓ The update introduces team races to the Knockout Tour mode for both online and wireless multiplayer sessions.
✓ Polish language support has been added to the game, expanding accessibility for international players.
✓ A specific bug causing game crashes on Choco Mountain when using the Kamek item has been resolved.
✓ This patch is smaller in scale compared to the version 1.4.0 update, which significantly altered the game's open-world map.
✓ As of this release, Nintendo has not yet introduced any new DLC or major content expansions for the title.

Quick Summary

Players of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World have a new update to download today. Version 1.5.0 is now live, bringing a handful of new features and a list of bug fixes to the popular racing game.

While the patch is not as extensive as the major 1.4.0 update released late last year, it introduces meaningful quality-of-life improvements for multiplayer fans and addresses specific gameplay issues. The update focuses on social racing and language accessibility, alongside crucial stability fixes.

New Multiplayer Features

The centerpiece of the version 1.5.0 update is the introduction of team-based racing within the Knockout Tour mode. Previously, this high-stakes elimination mode was strictly a free-for-all affair. Now, players can team up with friends to tackle the gauntlet together.

This new functionality is available in both Online Play and Wireless Play modes. To access the feature, players must be in a multiplayer room with friends. The addition encourages coordinated strategy, allowing teammates to work together to secure victory in the competitive elimination format.

In addition to gameplay changes, Nintendo has expanded the game's linguistic reach. The update adds full support for the Polish language. Players can switch their language preference through the standard system settings menu, making the game more accessible to a broader international audience.

Notable Bug Fixes

Perhaps the most intriguing fix in the patch notes addresses a specific issue on the Choco Mountain track. The official notes state that an issue has been resolved where the game would sometimes end unexpectedly if a player used Kamek on this course.

This fix has sparked curiosity among the community because Kamek is not currently a playable character in the roster. The reference likely pertains to the Kamek item, which transforms opponents into helpless creatures. Regardless of the specific cause, the fix aims to stabilize gameplay on this classic track.

Beyond the Choco Mountain issue, the update targets several other stability problems. One specific fix corrects a display error where player ratings would sometimes show incorrectly when joining an "Everyone" room in Online Play. The patch notes conclude by stating that "several other issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience," ensuring a smoother overall performance.

Context & Comparison

Version 1.5.0 arrives as a relatively minor refinement compared to its predecessor. The version 1.4.0 update, launched at the end of the previous year, was a substantial overhaul that reworked the layouts of several areas to "spice up" the game's open world.

The significant changes in the 1.4.0 patch led fans to believe that Nintendo would continue to roll out major content expansions. However, this latest release suggests a shift toward maintenance and polish rather than sweeping structural changes.

As of this update, Nintendo has not introduced any new downloadable content (DLC), free or otherwise, for Mario Kart World. The development team appears to be focused on refining the core experience on the new hardware.

Looking Ahead

The release of version 1.5.0 signals a period of stabilization for Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2. While players may have hoped for new tracks or characters, the focus on multiplayer functionality and bug fixing is essential for maintaining a polished player experience.

With the Switch 2 lifecycle still in its early stages, the game's future remains open to expansion. The groundwork laid by these updates will likely support more significant content additions down the line. For now, players can enjoy a more stable and socially connected racing experience.

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Inside the restoration hangar where the National Air and Space Museum repairs and preserves historic aircraft for display

A McDonnell F-4S Phantom II in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The National Air and Space Museum's second location in Virginia features a restoration hangar. Visitors can watch as workers repair and preserve historic military aircraft and other artifacts. Objects on display include a McDonnell F-4S Phantom II and a Sikorsky JRS-1 from Pearl Harbor. When a one-of-a-kind aircraft from World War II needs work done, not just any body shop will do. At the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, staff members repair and preserve historic aircraft in an in-house restoration hangar that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into maintaining the museum's collection. The Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The Smithsonian museum's second location, situated about 30 miles from the National Air and Space Museum's flagship site in downtown Washington, DC, offers an expansive setting with 340,000 square feet of exhibit space. The Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, which is connected to the exhibits, can accommodate several aircraft at a time and houses everything workers might need, including a sheet-metal shop, a welding room, a paint room, and a fabric shop. It also features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the hangar, allowing visitors to watch the work happening in real time. Observation windows overlook the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Holly Williamson, public affairs specialist at the National Air and Space Museum, told Business Insider that visitors shouldn't expect to see planes being built with the speed of a factory assembly line. Progress can be slow, with some restoration projects spanning months or years. "This kind of will look like paint drying if you just sit here for the whole day," Williamson said. "It's a lot of research. It's very detail-oriented." Despite the slow pace, there's still plenty to see. One of the museum's longer-term projects is "Flak-Bait," a Martin B-26 Marauder that flew 202 combat missions during World War II, including D-Day. "Flak-Bait," a Martin B-26 Marauder. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider When the museum first opened in 1976, visitors were allowed to touch the aircraft's nose, which wore down the paint. Workers have focused on restoring its appearance while preserving its authentic combat damage. "It flew more missions than any other aircraft in World War II for the US, so we want it to look like it's been through hundreds of missions," Williamson said. Another striking display is a Sikorsky JRS-1 seaplane, the only aircraft in the museum's collection that was present at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked on December 7, 1941. After Pearl Harbor, the Sikorsky JRS-1 patrolled for Japanese submarines. It arrived at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar in 2011. A Sikorsky JRS-1. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Staff members are also working to restore a McDonnell F-4S Phantom II, a fighter and bomber that shot down an MiG-21 during the Vietnam War. After the Vietnam War, it underwent modernization and was redeployed in 1983, remaining in service until its last squadron duty in 1987. A McDonnell F-4S Phantom II in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The rest of the hangar floor is a maze of tools, machinery, aircraft parts, and storage bins, indicators of just how intricate the museum's restoration efforts are. Certainly more interesting than watching paint dry. Read the original article on Business Insider