Mario Kart Tour‘s online multiplayer leaves beta on March 8 at 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET. Once players have updated to the game’s latest version, they can participate in standard multiplayer races, and the in-game rules regularly update to keep things interesting. The mode also supports local matches, and players can make custom rules for these races.
“Through real-time multiplayer, we are giving fans ofMario Kart Toureven more ways to play, and bringing the Mario Kart experience to even more players around the world,” Nintendo’s vice president of sales and marketing Nick Chavez said in the announcement.
During the beta period, non-payingMario Kart Tourplayers didn’t have very many options. Multiplayer has always been the series’ biggest draw and keeping it free should encourage those initially put off by the payment structure to give the game a second try.
After the success of the microtransaction-heavyFire Emblem Heroes, Nintendo’s mobile games have relied on the model more overtly.Mario Kart Toursells characters infairly expensive DLC packsand they’re also available through a gacha-style game — similar to a virtual slot machine. Players seem more than willing to download the game and start racing, but its early revenue only came out to about26 cents per player. A yearly subscription for the Gold Pass costs $60, which is the same price asMario Kart 8 Deluxeon Switch. Both are portable, and the latter game includes all racers, tracks, and DLC by default. However, a $20 yearly Nintendo Switch Online membership is needed for online play.
Mario Kart Touris available now on iOS and Android devices. The game is regularly updated with seasonal and holiday-themed events complete with their own locations and unique rewards.
