More than a decade after its disappearance, a beloved classic feature has quietly returned, taking Mario Kart fans by surprise. Players recently uncovered that Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch includes a hidden mode — a feature missing from recent entries in the franchise. The most surprising part? It’s been there since launch, and almost no one noticed. Find out how this novelty can impact the average player.
Multiplayer mode returns to Mario Kart World
LAN Play, which allows multiple consoles to connect through a local network without the internet, was a fan favorite in older titles. It enabled groups of players to race together on different screens, with stable connections and zero reliance on online servers. After being present in games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and some Wii/DS editions, the mode vanished from the mainline series.
Now, Mario Kart World brought this back, but it is not presented in such an intuitive way in the game; it is slightly hidden. There’s no mention of it in menus, but it can be accessed through a specific button combination: pressing L + R + clicking the left stick while on the Wireless Play screen reveals a new “LAN Play” option. To revert to the standard menu play, you just must repeat this simple sequence.
Although it is not directly related to the experience within the phase of the game itself, the discovery of this new feature causes a level of excitement that reminds many players of old games, where discovering hidden tricks or secret methods to unlock certain in-game “privileges” often created a rewarding and memorable feeling of personal achievement.
The impact of this new feature on today’s gaming landscape
At a time when most games rely heavily on internet connectivity and centralized servers, the return of LAN Play is great news because it’s a practical feature. Whether at home parties, depending on Wi-Fi isn’t always ideal. Most people can relate to an experience where the network connection left them in trouble. Local networks offer stability, low latency, and full control of the experience.
For casual players, it may sound technical, but it’s quite simple: instead of needing internet or a Nintendo account, players just connect to the same local network, like a home router. It also quietly addresses criticism of Nintendo’s sometimes shaky online infrastructure, giving players a reliable alternative for multiplayer fun.
That redefines how people gather to play and reinforces the social side of gaming, much like the days of split-screen multiplayer. It’s a great excuse to bring together many people to enjoy a gaming day. The feature acts like an incentive to create moments of camaraderie.
The secret multiplayer feature is making Mario Kart more social than ever
Of course, we cannot overlook the many advantages brought by the evolution of video games and Nintendo consoles over the years. The ability to play with someone miles away through a stable and fast network connection was and continues to be a meaningful source of shared experiences among friends, family, and even strangers who share the same gaming passions and interests.
But it is worth mentioning another advantage of the LAN play in Mario Kart World, which is the ability to link up to 24 Switch 2 consoles, far surpassing the typical limit of 8 in standard wireless mode. Using a mobile hotspot, players can enjoy large-scale multiplayer sessions even while on the go in handheld mode.
Ultimately, this secret LAN Play mode in Mario Kart World proves that even well-explored games still have some surprises to offer. This feature’s return celebrates the timeless joy of discovering something hidden, useful, and socially engaging. In an age of hyper-connectivity, local play is a great excuse to bring people together.
