Nintendo's 'Mario Kart Tour' Game for iOS Launching on September 25

Nintendo's newest game, Mario Kart Tour, is set to launch on iOS devices on September 25, the company announced on Twitter this afternoon.

Starting in May, Nintendo has offered a beta version of the game to a few limited users in the United States and Japan, but the title is nearly ready for a wider launch.

mariokarttoursept
As with the console version of the game, Mario Kart Tour is a kart racer title set in the Mushroom Kingdom. Players are tasked with racing to beat their rivals to the finish line using drifts and items to gain an edge.

Based on reports from the beta, the game uses the same single-handed control scheme as Nintendo's first major iOS game, Super Mario Run. Players are able to swipe their thumb across the screen to control their kart while the kart accelerates on its own.

The default controls cause karts to drift around corners, but those who want more of a challenge or more control can activate manual mode. There are four levels of difficulty to choose from, and the game features the same soundtrack used in previous Mario Kart titles.

Tracks within the game were taken from prior versions of Mario Kart, including Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Double Dash, and Mario Kart 7. Nintendo has also included Grand Prix cups that offer a collection of tracks to race through.

Playable characters include Luigi, Toad, Shy Guy, Waluigi, Peach, Toadette, and others, and some characters will be unlockable through in-app purchases. This is a freemium title that's free to download, which means Nintendo is monetizing it through in-game purchases.

Nintendo suggests players who are interested in the game follow the official Mario Kart Tour Twitter account as there's more info on gameplay to come ahead of launch. Pre-orders on the App Store are available starting today, with users able to get a notification when the game launches. [Direct Link]

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Top Rated Comments

Madmic23 Avatar
72 months ago
I don’t like the idea of Mario Kart having in-app purchases. :(
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleFan91 Avatar
72 months ago
This CAN be a huge hit. But if it’s loaded with paywalls and uses the “oops, you’re out of gas after 5 mins of gameplay, you can wait 462 days or pay $.99!” Then it will harm their rollout of mobile games. I really wish they’d go the Super Mario Run route - top shelf game for $9.99. I know it probably won’t make as much money as the freemium junk, but with rumors that it’s already P2W like crazy in the beta, I just really hope they reconsider.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexhardaker Avatar
72 months ago
I’ll stick with the Nintendo Switch version, thanks. They should join Apple Arcade
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ryanmp Avatar
72 months ago
Ah yes Freemium.. the scourge of the App Store. Definitely giving this one a miss
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dr. James Avatar
72 months ago
I really wish they’d go the Super Mario Run route - top shelf game for $9.99.
I only wish the game could be played offline.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rjp1 Avatar
72 months ago
After getting burned on Mario Run, I’m not buying any more of their stuff on iOS.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)