End of New Content Updates for Mario Kart Tour Game

Nintendo’s popular mobile game, Mario Kart Tour, has announced that it will no longer introduce new content such as courses, drivers, karts, or gliders after October 4. While the game will continue to provide service, future tours will consist of content that has previously appeared in the game. The final new tour, an Anniversary Tour, will commence on September 20.

This decision comes after the game made some changes to its monetization model in 2022. The “Pipe” gacha feature, which allowed players to use in-game currency for randomized drivers, karts, and gliders, was removed in September of that year. Instead, a “Spotlight Shop” feature was introduced, enabling players to choose and purchase specific items from a rotating inventory. Additionally, a new “Battle Mode” was added.

Mario Kart Tour originally launched in September 2019 after a delay. It marked Nintendo’s entry into the mobile gaming market, introducing the beloved Mario Kart series to smartphones. While the game is “free to start,” players need a Nintendo Account to access it. DeNA, a mobile game developer, handled the backend aspects, including servers and infrastructure.

The latest main entry in the Mario Kart series is Mario Kart 8, initially released for the Wii U in 2014. It achieved significant success and was later adapted for the Nintendo Switch as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in April 2017.
The Switch version introduced a “Booster Course Pass” featuring DLC courses, including some from Mario Kart Tour. The final wave of this DLC is scheduled for release in 2023, providing continued content for Mario Kart fans.