Gamers jump into new Mario Kart Tour smartphone game
Gamers are able to play a version of classic racing title Mario Kart on their smartphones for the first time.
Mario Kart Tour was launched on Wednesday on iOS and Android, meaning Nintendo fans can now access the game on their mobiles and tablets.
#MarioKartTour is here!
Race around the world across a variety of new and classic courses! We hope you enjoy this first tour! Be sure to stay tuned here for the latest game news, because we’ve got a lot more coming.
It’s finally here! GO! pic.twitter.com/GaBurZ3AZS
— Mario Kart Tour (@mariokarttourEN) September 25, 2019
While the basic premise, which sees players take the roles of popular Nintendo characters in a series of kart races, remains the same, there are aspects of the game which have been tweaked for the mobile platform.
The kart remains moving forwards, so there is no need to hold down an accelerator button, with players instead swiping from side to side to direct their vehicle, and tapping the screen to use special items.
Meanwhile, the races will take place in a number of locations, some of which are familiar from previous games and others which are based on real-world places.
Mario Kart Tour is free to download and play, but offers various in-app purchases – including a subscription mode, which unlocks special gifts, badges and faster races for £4.99 per month.
While some players were frustrated early on by a message telling them that “servers are experiencing heavy traffic”, many seemed to be having fun trying the new game out.
Mario Kart Tour is so fun omg i’m living
— richard (fan account) (@sisterariola) September 25, 2019
If you think, at 24 years of age, that I’ll become addicted to Mario Kart after today’s iPhone release, you’d be absolutely correct 🍄
— Ciarán Stafford (@CiaranStaff95) September 25, 2019
Others found the new control system hard to get a handle on.
this mario kart game is so disappointing. the controls are horrible 😭
— signe (@laurencabello) September 25, 2019
Mario Kart Tour needs to change the controls and make the screen horizontal.
— MF Dumb (@HollaChala) September 25, 2019
One complaint about the game from some players was the lack of a multiplayer option – but that option is set to appear in a future update.
