Mario Kart World is absolutely massive, stuffed with secrets in the form of collectibles and missions. But there's one big, returning secret that's had us scrambling for days now.

Mirror Mode, a staple in Mario Kart since Double Dash, is back, and it takes a little bit of work to unlock. We've managed to get it after hours of racing and exploring, and in this guide, we'll be telling you how to unlock this mode in Mario Kart World for yourself.

How to Unlock Mirror Mode in Mario Kart World

Mirror Mode is very nicely hidden in Mario Kart World — in fact, multiple rumours have been doing the rounds since the game's release, but we've figured out the 100% correct method to unlocking Mirror Mode.

You'll need to have unlocked the Special Cup, which should come naturally as you race through all the Grand Prixs.

To unlock Mirror Mode, you need to do all of the following

  • Place in every Grand Prix at 150cc
  • Place in the top four in every Knockout Tour at 150cc
  • Find 10 P Switches in Free Roam
  • Find 10 ? Panels in Free Roam
  • Find 10 Peach Medallions in Free Roam

After checking off the entire list, replay the Special Cup (doesn't matter where you place) and after the credits (you don't need to watch them), you'll get a new post-credits cutscene confirming you unlocked Mirror Mode.

Then, when you head into any Grand Prix, Knockout Tour, and Vs. Mode, Mirror Mode is included in the options.

How to play Mirror Mode in Free Roam

Mirror Mode isn't just available in the standard racing modes — you can also flip the world in Free Roam.

To do this, head to Peach Stadium (you can fast travel on the map). Then, from the start line, drive forward as you would normally, heading up the curvy roads. You'll see Peach's 'castle' to your right.

Keep driving until you're past the Warp Pipe obstacles, and once you reach the next corner, you can drive off the course to your right to land on the roof of the castle.

Drive around to the front where Peach's Stained Glass Window is, drive through it, and you'll be thrown back out into the world with everything entirely flipped!

What is Mirror Mode?

Mirror Mode is pretty self-explanatory — it's the hardest 'difficulty' in the game, and it changes every course as you know it by flipping it entirely, as if you're looking at the course in a mirror.

It's surprisingly challenging because you're probably so used to the courses' normal layouts, but here, everything is the opposite.

Don't worry, though, the controls aren't flipped. Just the maps.

We love a good secret, don't you? If trying to find this has flipped your world upside down, we have a suite of Mario Kart World guides to help you in all sorts of areas, including all karts, costumes, and characters.