Mario Kart World has been one of the biggest releases of the year, and many players have already dived into the game but are now struggling to find the best characters and vehicles for themselves.
To help with this, we’ve created an easy and straightforward guide to assist you in choosing the best characters and vehicles, as well as finding the perfect combo for yourself, depending on your racing style.
Best Characters in Mario Kart World
In Mario Kart World, characters are divided into weight classes: light, medium, and heavy. Each class affects your speed, acceleration, handling, and item usage.
Here are some of the top picks from each group:
Kamek
Kamek is one of the strongest characters in the game right now. He has great item control thanks to his special Kamek Orb, which can completely shake up a race. He’s quick, solid in turns, and extremely useful in competitive modes.
Daisy
Daisy continues to be a favorite, especially for players who like balanced characters. She’s fast, her drift is smooth, and she works well with nearly any kart. She’s a great pick for players who prefer a smart racing style.
Yoshi
Yoshi is fast, nimble, and always a solid choice. His lightweight build helps with acceleration and handling, making him perfect for newer players or anyone who enjoys quicker recoveries.
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is heavy, but with the right kart, he becomes a speed machine. He’s ideal for straight tracks and for players who can maintain top speed without bumping into obstacles.
Toadette
Toadette has strong acceleration and recovery, and her small hitbox means she’s less likely to get caught in crowded races. She’s also one of the more underrated picks but performs exceptionally well on tighter, trickier courses.
Best Vehicles in Mario Kart World
Just like characters, vehicles in Mario Kart World vary by speed, handling, traction, and boost potential. Some are built for top speed, while others are better at turning and recovering.
Here are the top and most reliable vehicles in the game:
Standard Kart
This classic kart is a true all-rounder—fast, stable, and perfect for drifters. If you love building up mini-turbos and making clean turns, this is the kart for you.
Chargin’ Truck
As one of the heaviest vehicles, the Chargin’ Truck offers high top speed. It pairs best with heavy characters like Bowser or Donkey Kong, letting you dominate long straights if you can handle the weight.
Pipe Frame
While not the fastest, the Pipe Frame boasts top-tier handling. It’s perfect for light characters like Yoshi or Toad and excels on short tracks with lots of turns.
B Dasher
A returning favorite, the B Dasher combines good speed with decent handling. It’s versatile and stylish—if you’re unsure what to pick, this vehicle works well with almost any character.
Biddybuggy (Buggybud)
Great for bike fans, the Biddybuggy has strong acceleration and high drift control. It’s best paired with medium or light characters.
Best Character + Vehicle Combinations
These combinations are fan favorites and have proven successful in our own testing:
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Bowser + Chargin’ Truck: Massive speed and weight, perfect for dominating long tracks.
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Daisy + Biddybuggy: Tight drifting and smooth control, ideal for twisty courses.
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Yoshi + Pipe Frame: Super easy to handle, great for beginners.
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Donkey Kong + B Dasher: Solid speed and stability, performs well on most tracks.
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Toadette + Standard Kart: Balanced and reliable, perfect for all-around racing.
While we’ve highlighted some of the best combos and tips you need, the most important factor is what brings you the most joy and best fits your racing style. Once you discover whether you prefer more speed or better handling, you’ll naturally find your own perfect setup—sometimes regardless of the stats.
Mario Kart World offers a wide range of experiences: some vehicles are very fast but hard to control, while others offer better handling at the expense of speed. Picking the right combination will make your races much easier and more enjoyable.
We hope this guide helps you find your ideal combo, just as it has for us. If you have any questions or need further advice, feel free to leave a comment—we’re here to help.
As for whether Mario Kart World is worth buying, our review gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5, stating, “Mario Kart World feels like a true expansion of the franchise in many ways. The Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilities allow for grander courses, more intense races, and experiences that will appeal to both hardcore racers and those who just want to explore and enjoy the game with their friends.”
