Rocket League v2.64 + Mario Kart World 1.5.0: Today’s Key Game Updates

Meta description: Today’s gaming news: Rocket League v2.64 hits with Switch 2 upgrades and more, while Mario Kart World 1.5.0 adds Knockout Tour team races—plus a quick strategy guide.

Quick Summary

Mario Kart World (Nintendo Switch 2) received Version 1.5.0, adding team races to Knockout Tour in rooms for Online Play and Wireless Play, plus fixes. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/au/news-and-articles/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/))
Rocket League (PC/PS/Xbox/Switch/Switch 2) rolled out v2.64 with expanded preset slots, a limited-time event, and specific Nintendo Switch 2 rendering enhancements. ([rocketleague.com](https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/rocket-league-patch-notes-v2-64))
Guide Corner today: How to win more consistently in Mario Kart World Knockout Tour Team Races (roles, checkpoint play, and point-maxing).

Today’s Gaming News Highlights

Mario Kart World Version 1.5.0 adds Knockout Tour Team Races (Switch 2)

Nintendo’s newest Mario Kart World update is all about turning Knockout Tour into a squad mode. Version 1.5.0 adds team races when you’re playing in a room via Online Play or local wireless, letting up to four teams compete. Nintendo also highlights the scoring: top placements are heavily rewarded (e.g., 50 points for 1st, 40 for 2nd, etc.), and getting multiple teammates into the late stages can swing entire matches. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/au/news-and-articles/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/))

Rocket League v2.64 is live with preset expansion + Switch 2 visual/performance changes

Rocket League v2.64 is out across Epic Games Store/Steam/PlayStation/Xbox/Nintendo platforms, and the headline quality-of-life change is preset slots increasing from 50 to 75. The patch also calls out Nintendo Switch 2 rendering enhancements (including changes to graphics options and resolution targets) and other updates like tutorial behavior adjustments. ([rocketleague.com](https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/rocket-league-patch-notes-v2-64))

Nintendo eShop weekly update (Switch/Switch 2)

Nintendo’s weekly “What’s New on Nintendo eShop” post for 22 January 2026 highlights new releases across Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch—including listings like FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and more. If you’re shopping, double-check whether a title is Switch 2-only or cross-listed for both platforms. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/my/news/article/3Vzoj4OSI3imMT1F2qsukh?utm_source=openai))

Guide Corner (How-to / Walkthrough / Rules / Strategy)

How to win Knockout Tour Team Races in Mario Kart World (1.5.0)

Big idea: In Team Knockout Tour, you’re not trying to have “everyone place okay.” You’re trying to ensure at least one teammate survives deep (and ideally multiple), because late placements are worth dramatically more points. Nintendo’s own breakdown emphasizes how top finishes spike the score (e.g., 1st = 50 points). ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/au/news-and-articles/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/))

Step-by-step team plan (simple, effective)

Before the race: assign roles.
- Anchor: your most consistent racer—plays safe lines, avoids risky shortcuts, prioritizes survival at each checkpoint.
- Bodyguard: runs near the Anchor, uses items defensively, blocks chaos, and helps the Anchor avoid getting deleted by a bad checkpoint.
- Disruptor: uses items aggressively to slow rival top runners right before checkpoints.
- Floater (optional): adapts mid-race—supports whichever teammate is best positioned.
Checkpoint mindset: “survive first, score second” early.
- In the early legs, don’t burn everything chasing 1st if it risks dropping below the cutoff at the checkpoint.
- If your Anchor is hovering near the cutoff, the Bodyguard should shift to defense immediately (hold protective items, avoid risky side routes).
Mid-race: switch to “protect the top runner.”
- Once your team has a runner in strong position, prioritize keeping that player clean through checkpoints.
- If your Disruptor has a good item, use it just before the checkpoint window to force rival mistakes while you slip through safely.
Late-race: maximize “final four” representation.
- Nintendo notes that reaching the final four matters hugely for points, and if the same team has all four drivers pass the final checkpoint, that team is guaranteed victory. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/au/news-and-articles/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/))
- Even if your team can’t get all four, pushing to get two into the endgame often beats “one hero, three early knockouts.”

Common Mistakes

Everyone plays like it’s solo Knockout Tour. Team races reward coordination; if all four players chase their own race, you’ll get uneven survivability and worse endgame scoring. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/au/news-and-articles/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/))
Spending items too early to “win the moment.” If you blow defensive items before a checkpoint, you’re gambling your survival on clean luck.
Not protecting the teammate who’s actually scoring. If one player is consistently ahead, support them instead of competing with them.
Tilting after an early knockout. Nintendo explicitly frames that eliminated players can still spectate and support; treat early knockouts as role swaps (spectator info + morale), not a lost match. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/au/news-and-articles/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/))

Advanced Tips

Run “two-lane strategy”: Have the Anchor take the safest line, while the Disruptor takes slightly riskier routes to create separation and pressure opponents.
Stagger item usage: Don’t stack four offensive item uses in the same 5 seconds. Spread them so rivals keep getting interrupted, especially as the checkpoint approaches.
Call out your team’s priorities: Decide mid-race whether you’re playing for (A) “get 1 teammate deep,” or (B) “get 2+ teammates deep.” The correct answer changes based on how many teammates are already eliminated.
In Rocket League v2.64, use the new preset slots tactically: With 75 presets, dedicate a few presets to readability (high-contrast paint/boost) for specific arenas or competitive focus—less “scrolling and tweaking,” more instant queue-ready setups. ([rocketleague.com](https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/rocket-league-patch-notes-v2-64))

How to research better (Checklist)

Start with official patch notes (developer site first; then platform holders like Nintendo support pages).
Verify the version number and release date (e.g., “v2.64” vs “2.64,” “Ver. 1.5.0” vs “1.5”).
Check platform scope: is it all platforms, or specific (like Switch 2 rendering changes)? ([rocketleague.com](https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/rocket-league-patch-notes-v2-64))
Look for mode-specific wording: “in a room,” “Online Play,” “Wireless Play” can limit availability. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Support/Nintendo-Switch-2/Game-Updates/How-to-Update-Mario-Kart-World-2842542.html))
Cross-check at least one trusted outlet for context, but don’t let commentary override official notes.
Separate facts from interpretation: patch note facts are “what changed”; strategy is “what that likely means for players.”

FAQ (5–8 Qs)

Q: What version is Mario Kart World on after today’s update?
A: Nintendo lists Ver. 1.5.0 released 22 January 2026 in the update history, and Nintendo’s news post (dated 23 January 2026) explains the team-race feature. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Support/Nintendo-Switch-2/Game-Updates/How-to-Update-Mario-Kart-World-2842542.html))
Q: Where do Knockout Tour team races appear?
A: Team races are added to Knockout Tour when playing in a room during Online Play and Wireless Play. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Support/Nintendo-Switch-2/Game-Updates/How-to-Update-Mario-Kart-World-2842542.html))
Q: How many teams can play Knockout Tour team races?
A: Nintendo says you can set up two-team, three-team, or four-team formats, depending on your group size. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/au/news-and-articles/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/))
Q: How does scoring work in Knockout Tour team races?
A: Nintendo highlights that top placements are worth much more (e.g., 50 points for 1st, 40 for 2nd, etc.), and early eliminations can be worth very little—so surviving deep matters. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/au/news-and-articles/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/))
Q: What is Rocket League’s newest patch version today?
A: The official patch notes page lists Rocket League v2.64, dated Jan 22, 2026. ([rocketleague.com](https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/rocket-league-patch-notes-v2-64))
Q: What’s the biggest quality-of-life change in Rocket League v2.64?
A: Preset slots expanded from 50 to 75. ([rocketleague.com](https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/rocket-league-patch-notes-v2-64))
Q: Does Rocket League v2.64 include Switch 2-specific improvements?
A: Yes—its headline list includes Nintendo Switch 2 Rendering Enhancements with visual/performance-oriented changes. ([rocketleague.com](https://www.rocketleague.com/en/news/rocket-league-patch-notes-v2-64))