| Unlockable: | How to Unlock: |
| Baby Daisy | Get a "One Star" rank or better in all 50cc cups. |
| Baby Luigi | Unlock eight Expert Staff Ghost Data in Time Trials mode. |
| Birdo | Play 16 different courses in Time Trials mode. |
| Bowser Jr. | Get a "One Star" rank or better in all 100cc Retro Cups. |
| Daisy | Win the 150cc Special Cup. |
| Diddy Kong | Successfully complete all 50cc Cups. |
| Dry Bones | Win the 100cc Leaf Cup. |
| Dry Bowser | Get a "One Star" rank or better in all 150cc Wii Cups. |
| Funky Kong | Unlock four Expert Staff Ghost Data in Time Trials mode. |
| King Boo | Win the 50cc Star Cup |
| Mii (Outfit A) | Win the 100cc Special Cup. |
| Mii (Outfit B) | Unlock all 32 Expert Staff Ghost Data in Time Trials mode. |
| Rosalina | Get a "One Star" rank or better in the 100cc Mushroom Cup. Alternately, have a saved game file from Super Mario Galaxy and win a number of races. |
| Toadette | Play on all 32 courses in Time Trials mode. |
| Unlockable: | How to Unlock: |
| Aero Glider (large kart) | Attain at least 1 Star in all 150cc Retro Cups |
| Aero Glider (large kart) | Attain at least 1 Star for all 150cc Retro Grand Prix Cups |
| B Dasher Mk 2 (Medium Kart) | Unlocked 24 Expert Staff Ghosts |
| Blue Falcon (small kart) | Win Mirror Lightning Cup |
| Cheep Charger (small kart) | Attain at least 1 Star Rank for all 50cc Retro Grand Prix Cups |
| Dragonetti (large kart) | Win 150cc Lightning Cup |
| Glory (medium kart) | Unlock 24 Expert Staff Ghost Data in Time Trials |
| Piranha Prowler (large kart) | Win 50cc Special Cup |
| Rally Romper (small kart) | Unlock 1 Expert Staff Ghost Data in Time Trials |
| Royal Racer (medium kart) | Win 150cc Leaf Cup |
| Turbo Blooper (medium kart) | Win 50cc Leaf Cup |
