September 25, 2019, 10:49 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Nintendo is launching its successful Mario Kart series on Android and Apple smartphones today. After initial server overloads, we managed to get into the game and try out the first course. Our final placement raises some questions.
Since “Super Mario Kart” debuted on the Super Nintendo in 1992, the racing series has been a staple in Nintendo’s game portfolio. No successful console from the company has since gone without its own version—whether home console or handheld. It’s a great selling point for the Japanese company’s hardware. But now, Nintendo aims to conquer the massive smartphone market with its games—with “Mario Kart Tour.”
Unfamiliar Controls
As with the smartphone game “Super Mario Run,” Nintendo customizes its mobile games specifically for iOS and Android. For one, the game is played in portrait mode and controlled with just one hand or thumb. Initially, this seems like a great adaptation, but at first play, it doesn’t feel like Mario Kart. The strategy behind this could be as follows: Nintendo doesn’t want the smartphone version to pose real competition to its handheld, the Nintendo 3DS.
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Are These Human Opponents or Bots?
This question quickly arose during my first play. Despite average driving performance, I achieved a start-to-finish victory. Although opponents are added in an apparent player search and have realistic-looking online names, they are likely just bots. In our video, you can see the menu structure and the complete race on the first course called “New York Speedway X.”
Can I Progress with Real Money?
“Mario Kart Tour” is a free game, but in-game purchases can be made. These should be limited to tracks and characters and should not provide advantages in direct comparison with other players.