Nintendo fans believe Mario Kart World could be in line for a major Donkey Kong Bananza crossover, in the form of a DLC introducing new characters and outfits inspired by the game. For now, this remains pure speculation, although there is compelling evidence currently being pored over online.
Mario Kart World DLC rumours – quick links
Nintendo Today data mine reveals King K. Rool animation
The first clues to possible Mario Kart World DLC were actually found in the credits of Mario Kart World.
While the information was passed over at the time of release, following the arrival of Donkey Kong Bananza, fans noticed the Mario Kart World credits included two voice performers from Bananza – the Japanese actors behind King K. Rool and Void Kong.
It’s possible the actors were voicing other characters, but regardless, this sparked rumours King K. Rool and Void Kong could arrive as guest racers.
The speculation has increased recently, thanks to a data mine which uncovered a special intro animation for King K. Rool that is seemingly set to be posted on Nintendo Today in future. While many characters have intro animations, some believe the arrival of King K. Rool could suggest an imminent appearance somewhere.
And with The Game Awards 2025 set to air this week, some have drawn the links between the Mario Kart World voice credits and King K. Rool’s appearance in Nintendo Today, to suggest he’ll be announced as a guest racer in Mario Kart World during the show.
It’s all very circumstantial, of course. The rumours rely on the assumption that Nintendo Today’s intro animation relates to a future announcement, and that The Game Awards will feature Mario Kart World in some fashion.
It’s not outside the realm of possibility, at the very least – as Mario Kart World DLC has long been speculated about.
Mario Kart World DLC has been anticipated for several months
While Nintendo hasn’t announced anything official, many players have speculated that Mario Kart World DLC is imminent, particularly given it’s a flagship launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, and that any DLC is likely to spark a revival of the game and its online scene.
On launch, Mario Kart World arrived with a relatively robust set of tracks and character outfits to unlock, although this unlocking process is relatively swift. After just a few weeks, excitement around the game dulled, as players worked through the available tracks and challenges, and were left wanting more.
The game’s direct predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, received a host of post-launch DLC tracks that completely revitalised it (although these arrived years after launch, not months), adding in a variety that sparked its renewed popularity. It’s likely Nintendo learned lessons from this DLC, and that Mario Kart World will eventually benefit from the same treatment.
For now, it’s just a matter of watching and waiting, to see what Nintendo does next. Adding DLC for Mario Kart World – particularly DLC that ties into Donkey Kong Bananza or elevates DK’s position in the game – seems like a simple, impactful win. More reasons to dive into (or back into) this game would certainly be appreciated, for those players who’ve been charting the same tracks over and over since launch.
Speculation will likely continue until Nintendo makes an official announcement, so it’s best to stay patient, and take all incoming rumours with a hefty dose of salt.
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