New Mario Kart Release Officially Confirmed For October 2026

Published Sep 29, 2026, 8:37 AM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

Mario Kart has spent more than three decades bringing familiar Mushroom Kingdom characters and locations into one of gaming's most recognizable racing series. The franchise reached unprecedented heights with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which has sold more than 71.5 million copies worldwide as of June 2026, making it the best-selling Nintendo Switch game by a considerable margin, though to be fair that is partly owed to Nintendo bundling the game with Switch consoles since it first launched.

Mario Kart continues to get major support to this day, just receiving a free update in September 2026 which added Nintendo Switch 2 enhancements including improved visuals, faster loading, eight-player local multiplayer, and CameraPlay support. Meanwhile, Mario Kart World continues expanding on Switch 2, most recently adding 10 new courses inspired by the original Super Mario Kart alongside new Knockout Tour routes.

Now, the good times are about to keep rolling this year with another brand-new Mario Kart release officially arriving this October (via GoNintendo).

Mario, Wario, Donkey Kong and Bowser in Mario Kart 64 Key Art.

Nintendo is giving Mario Kart World one of its more unique merch releases yet with the new Wall Run Collection, a line of miniature pull-back karts designed around one of the Switch 2 game's signature mechanics. More than just a standard display model, each vehicle can actually drive along the curved exterior of an included steel can, mimicking the Wall Run technique introduced in Mario Kart World.

The toys use magnets as part of the design, allowing the kart to remain attached to the curved surface while moving around it. It's a pretty neat little gimmick introducing a quirky "spin" on an otherwise typical collectible release.

There are six different racers to collect: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and Toad. Individual packages are blind-boxed, meaning buyers won't know which racer they're getting until opening one. Each costs ¥2,200, while Nintendo is also offering a complete six-piece box for ¥13,200, guaranteeing the entire collection. The toys measure roughly 9 cm tall by 7.5 cm wide when packaged with the can, and are recommended for ages 6+.

The collection initially appeared through Nintendo FUKUOKA as an early-release item in August before expanding to Nintendo's official stores in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. As of September 29, the toys are already being sold at those physical locations in Japan. Nintendo's Japanese online store is also taking orders, with deliveries currently scheduled to begin October 10, 2026.

For international Mario Kart fans, however, there is currently no confirmed worldwide rollout. Nintendo's announcement specifically points toward its Japanese stores and Japanese online storefront, with no equivalent North American or European release announced as of September 29. Import listings have already started appearing through third-party sellers, however, meaning dedicated collectors can potentially obtain the set overseas, though this isn't an official international release.

That could certainly change, particularly if these end up selling well in Eastern markets and given how popular Mario Kart merchandise is in general. For now, the Wall Run Collection appears to remain an officially Japan-focused release, and collectors in the region will want to mark their calendars for October if they want to get their hands on these unique new Mario Kart collectibles.

Mario Kart 8