Nintendo has released the free Ver. 1.8.0 update for Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2, adding additional course options and mode features. The update makes 10 courses inspired by the original Super Mario Kart selectable in VS Race and Online Play, including Choco Island, Vanilla Lake and Ghost Valley, with ? Panels used for item pickups as in the SNES title.

Knockout Tour also receives two new routes: Propeller Rally, connecting Acorn Heights and Airship Fortress, and Turnip Rally, connecting DK Pass and Shy Guy Bazaar. The routes become available after players clear at least one Knockout Tour Rally, and Nintendo says more Knockout Tour routes are planned for future updates.

Ver. 1.8.0 adds Spectator Mode for groups in Online Play and LAN Play, allowing joined players to watch races and battles, switch viewing targets and check real-time standings. Group capacity has increased to 26, supporting configurations such as 24 racers and two spectators without raising the number of drivers in a race, while Photo Mode now includes filters when accessed from the pause menu.