From the expansive open world to the innovative Rail and Wall Riding mechanics, Mario Kart World is brimming with discoveries. One intriguing element that remains unexplained is the array of giant vehicles you can temporarily commandeer. It quickly becomes apparent that driving into the large question mark opening on their rear is essential for taking control, but locating these vehicles is the initial challenge. Continue reading for a comprehensive guide on where to find every transformative vehicle.
Where to find Semi-Trucks
The Semi-Truck is likely the most familiar to you. It is the largest non-playable vehicle and is easily recognizable by its two containers emblazoned with Mario Kart in bold red letters. Semi-Trucks are commonly found on wide, multi-lane paved roads. They frequently appear in connecting races at locations like Toad’s Factory and the Golden Gate Bridge lookalike linking Crown City to Faraway Oasis.
Standard circuit races rarely feature long stretches, so encountering these trucks is less common unless you're transitioning between tracks. Rest assured, the thrill of a classic race won’t be disrupted by an overly speedy vehicle.
Another method to drive Semi-Trucks, as well as other vehicles discussed here, is through P-Switch Challenges. The downside is that these are restricted to specific challenges, and there’s no straightforward way to track them other than relying on your memory.
Where to find Speedboats
Next on the list are the dark blue Speedboats that glide over water. Speedboats are scattered along coastlines in Free Roam, though they are predominantly seen in connecting races with Wario Shipyard. If a connecting race takes you into open waters for an extended duration, there's a good chance you’ll encounter a Speedboat.
The gliding motions significantly influence this vehicle. Tilting the stick upward will dip the boat’s nose into the water, while tilting it downward will raise the nose. Switching between these motions can help you navigate over large waves.
Where to find Helicopters
Special vehicles become increasingly rare from this point onward. The Helicopter, with its noticeable chunky orange design, is easy to spot in the sky. Note that these differ from the smaller yellow MKTV helicopters that observe races. Helicopters operate in a predetermined loop, so the best approach to take control in Free Roam is to track it until it lands momentarily.
Locating them during a race can be inconsistent. They are not tied to specific environments like Semi-Trucks and Speedboats. I've noticed more variation in their appearances, sometimes integral to races such as from DK Spaceport to Peace Stadium. Alternatively, they might be tucked away behind buildings in races from Mario Bros. Circuit to Toad Factory.
Helicopter controls fully utilize the Joy-con’s stick with an inverted flight orientation: Pushing it up will cause the Helicopter to descend, while pushing it down will make it ascend.
Where to find UFOs
This brings us to the final and rarest vehicle—the UFO. I haven’t encountered this during a race, but it does appear sporadically in Free Roam. Keep an eye on the sky, and you might spot this saucer with vibrant lights hovering around. UFOs usually remain in motion, but if you follow one long enough, it will eventually descend, allowing you to enter its tractor beam and take control.
You don’t have to depend solely on chance to find one in the wild. At least one stationary UFO can be found in Free Roam and resets after interaction. This UFO is located on a cliff overlooking the river between Dry Bones Burnout and Mario Bros. Circuit. Specifically, it’s on the cliff left of the great staircase leading to the Dry Bones Burnout area. Follow the mountainside left until you can ascend the slope and spot a set of torches and a metal fence. Follow the path to find the UFO, a few cows, and a Nabbit to capture.
UFO controls resemble those of the Helicopter, with the stick managing both ascent and descent. A notable difference is that pressing the R button activates the tractor beam, enabling you to pick up various items, from other cars and coins to enemy NPCs.
Even though the open world can occasionally seem sparse, Mario Kart World offers numerous engaging elements and secrets to uncover. Continue exploring the environment and tracks! You never know where large vehicles might be waiting.
