Mario Kart Tour will permanently shut down its services on September 29, Nintendo announced via a brief statement. The mobile title, which launched as part of Nintendo's foray into the mobile gaming market, has been winding down its content updates for some time.
"We sincerely thank the many players who have loved and supported the game since service began so long ago," the statement reads. Mario Kart Tour will have been available for just under seven years when its servers go offline. The game's conclusion marks the end of a significant chapter in Nintendo's mobile strategy.
Details regarding the game's in-app currency, "rubies," and its Gold Pass subscription service have also been clarified. Rubies are no longer available for purchase, though existing ones can still be spent. Automatic Gold Pass subscription renewals have been halted, and new subscriptions are not possible. Players who had active Gold Passes will receive August and September's content for free.
Mario Kart Tour faced criticism at its launch due to its inclusion of gacha gambling mechanics, which remained in the game for three years before being improved in October 2022. The game's design, while offering a genuine Mario Kart experience, was often overshadowed by its aggressive monetization and the controversial decision to lock its 200cc speed mode behind a paywall. Some regions had previously assigned the game an 18+ age rating as a result of these practices.
Over its lifespan, Mario Kart Tour introduced new tracks and a rotating roster of characters, including rare additions like Piranha Plant Pipeline for limited periods. The end of Mario Kart Tour may open the possibility for these unique tracks to reappear in other titles, such as Mario Kart World, which has not seen new content since its launch over a year ago.