Nintendo has released Update 1.4.0 for Mario Kart World, delivering new customization tools, meaningful quality-of-life upgrades, and a large slate of bug fixes across courses and online play. While the patch improves several heavily requested features, the update does not change the frequency of three-lap courses in online play — a topic that continues to divide the community.
Expanded Customization and New UI Features
One of the biggest additions in Update 1.4.0 is the new Custom Items setting. Players can now choose exactly which items appear in VS Race, Balloon Battle, Coin Runners, and Online/Wireless Rooms. This flexibility allows for themed matches, challenge runs, or item-restricted lobbies without workarounds.
Nintendo also refreshed several user interface elements:
- The Pause Menu now displays the current music track and where it comes from.
- A new Music Volume slider has been added to the settings menu.
- Restart and Next Race options are now available during solo VS Races.
- Photo Mode can be accessed when racing against Time Trial ghosts.
These updates give players clearer information and easier control during races, especially for those who revisit tracks for time optimization.
Multiplayer and Online Room Improvements
Online play sees notable refinements in Update 1.4.0:
- Rooms can now host Race, Knockout Tour, and Battle modes with up to four players.
- Players using 2-player Online can now join a friend’s Knockout Tour directly via the Friends menu.
- Several display errors, communication issues, and spectating bugs were resolved.
- Matchmaking has also been smoothed out to reduce unexpected disconnections.
While these changes enhance the social side of the game, broader matchmaking concerns and race-type frequency issues remain unaddressed for now.
Course Layout Adjustments and Gameplay Tweaks
Nintendo has reworked a selection of intermission-course layouts. Most notably, any race that transitions toward Koopa Troopa Beach will now finish after two laps upon arrival, shortening several race sequences and reducing pacing inconsistencies.
Other gameplay changes include:
- A refined dash panel correction on Manta Ramp’s back, improving boost behavior.
- Fixes involving Bullet Bill collisions and pathing in multiple areas.
- Adjusted item respawn timing for smoother competitive play.
- Improved interactions with Dragoneels and other course-specific obstacles.
These updates help stabilize races and ensure players experience fewer unexpected disruptions during competitive moments.
Widespread Stability and Collision Fixes
Update 1.4.0 also delivers one of the largest sets of technical fixes to date. These include:
- Bullet Bill visual and routing corrections.
- Fixes for slipping through geometry or phasing into walls.
- Adjustments to objects that previously trapped players.
- Edge-case fixes affecting gliding, railing interactions, and platform collisions.
The result is a cleaner, more reliable gameplay experience—particularly valuable for online races where a single collision bug can swing an entire match.
Community Outlook
Early reactions to Update 1.4.0 are mixed. Many players appreciate the expanded customization and stability improvements, while others remain disappointed that intermission races and three-lap frequency were left untouched. With no DLC confirmed yet, speculation continues around future course or character updates, which the community still believes are likely.
For now, Update 1.4.0 represents a solid round of refinements that deepen player control and tighten up gameplay, even if some of the biggest community requests remain unanswered.
