Today’s (17th April) Mario Kart Direct stream revealed plenty of new tracks, but several classic tracks are also returning. Among these will seemingly be Rainbow Road.
Although it wasn’t shown in the Direct, Nintendo heavily hinted that Rainbow Road will return in Mario Kart World, teasing that “a certain colourful course will appear” if you complete every Grand Prix cup.
While Nintendo hasn’t confirmed the track’s identity, the colourful rainbow trail shown in the Direct stream suggests it will be a new variant of Rainbow Road.

This is similar to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, where Rainbow Road unlocks after clearing the Banana Cup as the final Special Cup course.
With its sharp turns and steep drops, Rainbow Road is renowned as one of Mario Kart’s most challenging tracks. It was first introduced in the original Super Mario Kart on the SNES as a bonus track in the Special Cup. Since then, it’s appeared in every Mario Kart game and is considered a staple of the series.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also included Mario Kart 64’s version of Rainbow Road, which featured side walls stopping you from falling off the track.
Other confirmed classic tracks in Mario Kart World include Toad’s Factory, Peach Beach and Wario’s Galleon. These will be mixed with brand-new courses, including the desert-themed Mario Bros. Circuit and water-logged Salty Salty Speedway. In a shake-up for the series, each circuit is interconnected with you driving between locations, or you can explore the entire map in free roam.
Are you looking forward to racing on Rainbow Road in Mario Kart World? Let us know in the comments below.
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