Nintendo Switch 2 owners who want a more “arcade cabinet” feel for Mario Kart World won’t have to wait long: accessory maker HORI is launching two updated racing wheels later this month. A Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe and a Racing Wheel Pro Mini are listed for release on March 23, 2026, complete with Switch 2-focused tweaks—most notably a dedicated C button for GameChat—and fresh Mario Kart World branding.
This matters because Mario Kart World has quickly become a hardware-defining game for Switch 2, and peripherals like these are the kind of “second wave” gear that can turn a hit racer into a living-room ritual. If you’ve ever watched a friend white-knuckle a Joy-Con in a final-lap scramble, you already understand the appeal of a wheel-and-pedals setup.
What’s Releasing: Two HORI Wheels Built Around Mario Kart World
HORI is rolling out two versions:
- HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe for Nintendo Switch 2
- HORI Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Mini for Nintendo Switch 2
Both are positioned as Mario Kart World-friendly racing wheels, while also advertising compatibility with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and other racing titles. Importantly, these aren’t being framed as “Switch 2 only” accessories; they’re listed as compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model.
That cross-generation compatibility is a big deal for households that haven’t fully migrated to Switch 2—or for anyone who bounces between systems. It also signals that HORI is treating Switch 2 as an evolution of the existing ecosystem rather than a hard reset, at least as far as controller peripherals are concerned.
Mini vs. Deluxe: Features, Feel, and Who Each Wheel Is For
HORI’s two-wheel approach is smart: not everyone wants (or has space for) a larger wheel setup, and not everyone wants to compromise on immersion. Here’s what separates them based on the product descriptions currently circulating.
Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe: The “go big” option
The Deluxe model is described as the larger, more full-featured wheel, designed to feel more like a serious living-room rig. Key features called out include:
- Textured rubber grips on an ergonomic wheel
- Pedals and paddles
- Onboard controls for convenience
- Ability to adjust the dead zone
- 7 levels of sensitivity for steering response tuning
- A switch between 270-degree and 180-degree steering outputs
- Programmable buttons for custom function assignment
- The C button for GameChat (with the note that internet, a Nintendo Account, and a Nintendo Switch Online membership may be required for chat features)
That 270/180-degree steering toggle is especially relevant for kart racers. A lot of players don’t actually want full “sim” rotation for a game like Mario Kart World—they want quick, snappy inputs that still feel like a wheel. Giving players the option to choose is exactly the kind of practical feature that makes a peripheral more than a novelty.
Racing Wheel Pro Mini: Compact, cheaper, and still feature-rich
The Mini model is pitched as a compact alternative that still aims for the full wheel experience:
- Compact ergonomic wheel
- Pedals
- Racing paddles
- Onboard controls
- Programmable buttons
- A dedicated Item button marked with the Mario “M” in the center of the wheel
- The C button for GameChat (with the same online requirements note)
- Compatibility listed for Switch 2, Switch, and Switch OLED
The Mini’s “Item button” is a very Mario Kart-specific flourish—and honestly, it’s the kind of design choice that tells you exactly who this is for: families, party setups, and anyone who wants a more tactile way to play without committing to a bigger, pricier wheel.
Release Date, Pricing, and Pre-Orders
Retail listings indicate both wheels are scheduled to go on sale on March 23, 2026.
Pricing is listed at:
- $129.99 USD (approximately $130) for the Deluxe
- $79.99 USD (approximately $80) for the Mini
Pre-orders are already available through retailers (specific retailers vary by region and listing).
This pricing lands where you’d expect for branded console racing wheels: the Mini is positioned as the accessible entry point, while the Deluxe pushes into “serious accessory” territory—still far below the cost of enthusiast sim racing gear, but enough that you’ll want to be sure you’ll actually use it beyond the first week.
What’s Actually New vs. Older Switch Wheels
If you’ve been around since the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe era, this part is crucial: HORI previously released racing wheels compatible with Switch, and those existing Switch versions are already compatible with Switch 2.
So why buy the new ones?
The updated Switch 2 models add:
- A dedicated C button for GameChat
- Mario Kart World logos on each wheel
That’s the clearest “tell” that these are refresh models rather than a ground-up reinvention. The core pitch isn’t that your old wheel suddenly stopped working—it’s that Switch 2’s social layer (GameChat) is being acknowledged directly on the hardware, and the branding is now aligned with Mario Kart World rather than the previous generation’s flagship kart racer.
Whether that’s worth upgrading will depend on how much you care about GameChat convenience and the updated look. For some players, a dedicated button is the difference between using a feature regularly and forgetting it exists.
Why This Matters for Mario Kart World (and Switch 2’s Early Life)
Mario Kart World is already being positioned as a monster hit on Switch 2—so much so that it’s being described as the system’s best-selling game. And it’s not just selling; it’s driving the kind of accessory ecosystem that Nintendo platforms thrive on: extra controllers, party gear, and now dedicated wheels.
There’s also a pricing context here that makes peripherals feel more “considered” than impulsive. Mario Kart World has been highlighted as a notably expensive Switch 2 title, and discounts are being framed as rare—one recent deal even dropped the physical game to $64.99, which was presented as a meaningful $10 savings. When the flagship game is premium-priced and the platform is new, accessories like these become part of a broader “how deep am I going on this ecosystem?” decision.
In other words: if Mario Kart World is your forever game—your weekly family tournament, your friend-group rivalry machine—then a wheel isn’t just plastic. It’s a commitment to the bit. And Mario Kart, more than almost any other series, rewards that kind of ritual.
The Practical Buying Angle: Who Should Consider These Wheels?
Here’s how I’d frame it, based strictly on what’s been announced and described so far:
- If you want the most adjustable, “grown-up” option with sensitivity tuning and steering output modes, the Deluxe is clearly the one HORI wants you to treat as the main event.
- If you want a smaller footprint, a lower price, and a wheel that still keeps Mario Kart-specific controls front and center (including that Mario “M” item button), the Mini looks like the crowd-pleaser.
And if you already own the older Switch-compatible HORI wheel? The big question is whether the C button for GameChat (and the Mario Kart World branding) is enough to justify a second purchase—because compatibility alone isn’t forcing your hand.
What Remains Unknown
Even with release dates and pricing floating around, there are still meaningful details that haven’t yet been confirmed publicly:
- Whether the wheels include any Switch 2-specific functionality beyond the C button for GameChat
- Which specific retailers will carry the wheels in each region (beyond “online retailer listings”)
- Whether there are any differences in build quality or internal components compared to the earlier Switch-era HORI wheels
- Any official bundle options (for example, wheel + game promotions) — none have been announced
For now, the headline is simple and exciting: HORI’s Mario Kart World-branded wheels are nearly here, and Switch 2 players will have two clear options—Mini for accessibility, Deluxe for maximum immersion—starting March 23.
