Raising Mario Kart World age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Mario Kart World age rating: the ESRB rates it E (Everyone) in the US and Canada, for Mild Fantasy Violence, and lists Users Interact. PEGI rates it 3 in Europe and the UK, and Germany's USK rates it 0. Players race online against up to 24 others and can talk with friends through GameChat. The game costs $79.99 in the US, and the ESRB lists no in-game purchases.
Mario Kart World at a glance
- –Official rating above age 7
ESRB: E; PEGI 3; USK 0 - ✓Contact with other players or strangers
ESRB: Users Interact; online races; GameChat - –Purchases with real money
No in-game purchases listed by ESRB - –Paid random items
None listed - ✓Violence or scary content in rating descriptors
ESRB: Mild Fantasy Violence - –Government lawsuits, fines, or safety warnings
None found
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count.
| Type | Kart racing game by Nintendo for Nintendo Switch 2 (June 2025), with open-world driving |
|---|---|
| US & Canada (ESRB) | E (Everyone) — Mild Fantasy Violence; Users Interact source |
| Europe & UK (PEGI) | 3 (suitable for all ages) — occasional, very mild violence in a comical context source |
| Germany (USK) | 0 (approved without age restriction) source |
| Cost | $79.99 in the US; online play needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership source |
| Players | 1–4 on one system, 2–8 local wireless, up to 24 online |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What Mario Kart World is
Mario Kart World is a kart racing game made by Nintendo for Nintendo Switch 2 only. It came out on June 5, 2025, as a launch game, and has an open world to drive around in, with 50 playable characters. Up to 4 people can play on one system, 2 to 8 on local wireless, and up to 24 online.
Mario Kart World age rating: what's in it
Short answer: It's rated for everyone in the US, Europe, and Germany.
- US & Canada (ESRB): E (Everyone), Mild Fantasy Violence; Users Interact.
- Europe & UK (PEGI): 3, occasional, very mild violence in a comical context.
- Germany (USK): 0.
The ESRB describes cartoony power-ups (turtle shells, fireballs, boomerangs) used to slow opponents, with colorful explosions and dizzy stars. PEGI notes racers are launched into the air when hit, with no visible harm. We couldn't find a Common Sense Media review of this game.
Online play, GameChat, and cost
Short answer: Online races are with other players, and voice chat is with friends.
Nintendo describes GameChat as a way to "talk with friends" while racing; it needs internet, a Nintendo Account, and, after March 31, 2026, a Nintendo Switch Online membership. We couldn't confirm whether GameChat can reach strangers in this game.
The game costs $79.99 in the US and is also sold in a Switch 2 bundle. The ESRB lists no in-game purchases. We couldn't confirm any paid add-ons; a free update added SNES courses.
Why young kids know Mario Kart World
It's Nintendo's top-selling Switch 2 game: 15.39 million copies as of June 30, 2026, according to Nintendo. It stars Mario characters.
The habit kids may copy: the shell from behind
In the game, you get ahead by hitting other racers with shells and fireballs. Getting hit, and losing a place, is part of every race.
Try tonight: the dragon check
Play one race together. When someone gets hit by a shell, pause and ask: "Is the dragon waking up? Let's breathe it back to sleep." In our program, this is the lesson "The Dragon Inside": noticing anger before it takes over.
Why you can trust this page: the main facts link to their sources, a separate reviewer checks each page before it goes live, and the date shows when we last checked. How we review · Report an error
FAQ
What is Mario Kart World rated?
ESRB E (Everyone) for Mild Fantasy Violence in the US and Canada, PEGI 3 in Europe and the UK, and USK 0 in Germany.
Can kids talk to strangers in Mario Kart World?
Online races include other players. Nintendo describes GameChat as voice chat with friends; we couldn't confirm whether it can reach strangers.
Does Mario Kart World have in-game purchases?
The ESRB lists none. The game costs $79.99 in the US, and online play needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Is Mario Kart World only on Switch 2?
Yes. It was released for Nintendo Switch 2 only, on June 5, 2025.
More from “Is it good for kids?”
Why Is My 5-Year-Old So Angry? Anger Management for Kids 4–7
Why is my 5-year-old so angry and aggressive? What anger is telling you, anger management for kids that works at 4–7, and when to see a pediatrician.
Read next →Raising Stoics is a 12-week program for ages 5–6, built on Stoic philosophy and developmental psychology. One lesson is "The Dragon Inside": noticing anger before it takes over.