Mario Kart enthusiasts, hold onto your Kart wheels—Nintendo just dropped a major update that might just change the way you play! Version 1.3.0 of Mario Kart World has arrived, and it’s packed with tweaks, additions, and fixes that could spark some hot debates among the community. But here’s where it gets controversial: Nintendo has tweaked UFO mechanics to make them appear more often. Some players might love this for added excitement, while others could see it as a disruption. What’s your take? Let’s dive into the details.
What’s New in Version 1.3.0?
First off, imagine cruising through the Mushroom Kingdom with friends—now you can join their Knockout Tour sessions directly from the Online Play menu. And if the main event is full, don’t panic! Up to two players can queue into Free Roam while waiting. This mode just got even more user-friendly: the map now marks every P Switch you’ve triggered and Peach Medallion you’ve grabbed. Need to revisit a tricky spot? Tap the map, select a P Switch, and Mario & Co. will warp you there.
But here’s a twist: if you’ve disabled Dash Food in the settings (to avoid unwanted transformations), you’ll stay as yourself even if a UFO scoops you up. Nintendo also made UFO encounters more frequent in Free Roam, which could mean more surprises—or more chaos, depending on your playstyle.
The Free Roam world itself has gotten a polish. You can now transform into the character pulled into a UFO, but only if you’re not using the Dash Food workaround. Lap-based courses now pop up more often in VS Race and wireless races, adding variety for competitive players. And for spectators, it’s now easier to switch between viewpoints in Knockout Tour or Balloon Battle, even if you’re holding your Joy-Cons sideways.
Bugs Bashed in This Update
Nintendo’s QA team has been busy. They fixed a pesky issue where rankings would glitch if two racers crossed the finish line at the same time. Another fix ensures that CPU racers in Grand Prix won’t mysteriously drop in rank after finishing. And if you’ve ever been flung backward by a Spiny Shell like a startled Goomba, that’s been squashed too.
Other fixes include preventing players from getting stuck in walls after using Bullet Bills in Bowser’s Castle and ensuring item boxes in Cheep Cheep Falls are grabbable even with Smart Steering enabled. For Free Roam fans, pipes and trailers now work as intended, and results screens won’t warp into glitchy static.
And This Is the Part Most People Miss...
Nintendo also tweaked the timing of item boxes, making them respawn faster so you’re never left weaponless for long. The invincible time after spinning or crashing has been boosted, giving you a fighting chance to recover. Jumps from above onto rivals are less punishing now, and the delay between races and spectating has been trimmed. These small changes could redefine how players approach tight finishes.
Your Turn to Weigh In
Have you updated to 1.3.0 yet? Does the new UFO system add fun or feel like a gimmick? Are the faster item respawns a blessing or a balancing nightmare? Drop your thoughts in the comments—this is the kind of update that divides opinions. And if you spot any issues we missed, let us know. After all, Mario Kart is all about the ride, and this update might just be the next big twist in the road.
For more deep dives into updates, check out our previous patch notes here on Nintendo Life. Stay karts, everyone!
