Mario Kart World fans have discovered a way to zoom around the game’s open world in Mirror Mode — and the way to access it is a cool throwback to a classic Nintendo platformer.
Remember warping through the paintings in Princess Peach’s Castle, back in Super Mario 64? Well, you can use a similar method to access Mario Kart World’s Mirror Mode in Free Roam, if you drive over and scale the same royal residence’s roof.
Fair warning, you’ll need to have unlocked Mario Kart World’s main Mirror Mode before this secret is possible. IGN has tested this method without Mirror Mode unlocked, and it doesn’t work until you have that sorted first.
So, if you’ve not done it already, you’ll need the Mirror Mode option unlocked for Grand Prix and Knockout Tour by completing all cups on 150cc and finishing a handful of P-Switches, Peach Medallions and Question Panels in Free Roam.
With Mirror Mode unlocked, you can then set about finding the secret to explore Free Roam in Mirror Mode, too.
Load up the game’s central Princess Stadium course in Free Roam (remember you can fast travel there from the world map using Y) and leap off the road as you spiral upwards with the castle on your right. Aim to land on the large red roof below you, then drive over to the castle’s main turret. In front of you lies its large stained glass window featuring Peach and… you know what to do next.
Driving through the window causes a Mario 64 painting-style ripple, and warps you through to a mirrored version of Mario Kart World’s, er, world. Ta-da! Even your world map is flipped.
You can see this all for yourself in the video embedded below:
Some nice Mirror Mode Easter egg haha pic.twitter.com/7q5GIqZ91l
— Ninjinaut (@Ninjinaut) June 7, 2025
Earlier this week, Nintendo fans completing Mario Kart World discovered Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto was missing from the game’s credits, but his absence probably shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Meanwhile, in Japan, a farmer has praised the game’s portrayal of its fan-favorite Cow character — and specifically its mucky butt.
Check out our Mario Kart World guide and learn how to unlock every hidden Mario Kart World character, plus how Kamek Unlocks work — you’ll need them to unlock NPC Drivers. We’ve also got a guide to all the Mario Kart World food scattered across the open world and where to find it, which will help you get all the Mario Kart World outfits and costumes permanently.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
