Secret Multiplayer Mode in Mario Kart World Unveiled
The newly released Mario Kart World conceals a special LAN multiplayer feature that players can easily unlock. However, it appears to be targeted more towards competitive tournaments than casual play.
Mario Kart World features a hidden LAN Play mode that players can activate very easily during their gameplay sessions. Nevertheless, its primary utility seems tailored for tournament settings rather than everyday gaming.
As indicated by the name, LAN Play enables Mario Kart World to be played over a local area network. Instead of connecting through ad-hoc Wi-Fi, this option allows players to link all devices to a single router using either Ethernet cables or a wireless connection. Many games, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, previously supported LAN play on the original Switch.
Despite being a returning feature in the critically acclaimed Mario Kart World, its presence is not immediately recognizable. Reddit user Howwy23 noted this feature, and it has been confirmed that activating LAN play is straightforward: just open the main menu, select ‘Wireless Play’ (without confirming), and press the left analog stick while holding both the L and R shoulder buttons. This combination toggles LAN Play, while the same buttons can revert it back to Wireless Play.
How To Unlock Secret LAN Play Mode in Mario Kart World
- Open the main menu
- Select ‘Wireless Play’ (without confirming)
- While holding R + L, press the left analog stick
In LAN play, only two players can utilize a single Switch 2 console, unlike the usual four players. This mode remains obscured since the game defaults to Wireless Play upon startup. The same was true for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which employed a similar method to access LAN Play.
Practically, the hidden mode allows for up to 24 Switch 2 consoles to connect in a single session, versus the eight unions in Wireless Play. However, the trade-off is that only two players can utilize one console in LAN Play mode.
Why Is Mario Kart World LAN Mode Hidden?
The mode seems to be concealed due to its specific use case. Wireless Play through ad-hoc Wi-Fi already accommodates up to eight consoles, suitable for most multiplayer circumstances. The main exception is for tournaments where more than eight consoles may be needed in one place. Consequently, Nintendo decided to hide LAN Play to declutter the main menu and prevent confusion for casual players.
Moreover, LAN play serves as the current method to initiate Free Roam mode in local multiplayer. While this mode can also be accessed via online lobbies or Wireless Play, LAN play supports a broader range of controller setups, allowing for varied gamepad combinations and accommodating more players than Wireless Play.
