Mario Kart Tour – Review

Mario Kart Tour is a racing game for mobile devices like Apple or IOS. The game plays similarly to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, only with mobile friendly controls. There’s loads of courses, characters and karts to choose from as well. In my review you can find out more!

Unfortunately, the game will end services on September 30th, 2026. But until then, let’s have fun with the game!

Why Mario Kart Tour?

Mario Kart Tour brings the excitement of the Mario Kart series to mobile devices while adding its own unique ideas. Instead of trying to recreate the console experience exactly, the game introduces a tour-based format, frequent content updates, and a huge collection of characters, karts, and gliders to unlock. Although it plays differently from games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, I like Mario Kart Tour a lot because it’s fun, colorful, and easy to enjoy whether I have a few minutes or a longer gaming session.

One of the game’s biggest strengths is its Tour system. Every couple of weeks, the game features a new tour with a different theme. Some tours celebrate real-world cities, while others focus on holidays, seasons, or specific Mario characters. This keeps the game feeling fresh because there is almost always something new to see or collect. Even when familiar tours return, they often include different featured drivers or rewards, giving players another reason to participate.

The variety of courses is another highlight. Mario Kart Tour includes many classic tracks from previous Mario Kart games alongside brand-new courses created specifically for the mobile game. Racing through famous locations from earlier games is enjoyable for longtime fans, while the original city-inspired tracks add something unique to the series. The game also includes reverse versions, trick versions with extra ramps, and reverse trick versions of many tracks. These alternate layouts help familiar courses feel different and add variety without requiring an entirely new track every time.

The gameplay is designed specifically for touchscreen controls. At first, steering can feel unusual compared to using a controller, but after a little practice it becomes comfortable. Drifting is especially important because it helps players build mini-turbos and earn higher scores. While the controls are simpler than those found in console Mario Kart games, they work well for short mobile play sessions.

One of my favorite parts of Mario Kart Tour is collecting drivers. There is an enormous roster featuring classic Mario characters, alternate costumes, and seasonal versions that are exclusive to certain tours. My favorite character is Fairy Daisy. I absolutely love her design because it gives Daisy a magical and whimsical appearance while still keeping her cheerful personality. Whenever I have the chance, I choose Fairy Daisy because she’s both fun to play as and one of the most beautiful character designs in the game. Seeing her return during special tours is always exciting for me.

In addition to drivers, collecting karts and gliders adds another layer of progression. Each one has different special skills that can improve your score on certain courses. Building combinations that match the featured tracks becomes an enjoyable part of the strategy. Unlocking new equipment always feels rewarding, especially during themed tours.

Another feature I enjoy is completing cups and challenges. Every tour contains multiple cups filled with races, bonus challenges, and missions that reward players for trying different objectives. This structure gives players clear goals and keeps gameplay from becoming repetitive. There is almost always another challenge to complete or another reward to earn.

Visually, Mario Kart Tour looks fantastic for a mobile game. The environments are colorful, the character animations are smooth, and each course has plenty of personality. The soundtrack also deserves praise, featuring upbeat music that matches the fast-paced racing perfectly.

Of course, the game isn’t without its weaknesses. Progression depends heavily on collecting drivers, karts, and gliders with favorable course bonuses. Players who don’t have the best combinations may find it more difficult to earn high scores on certain tracks. This can sometimes feel limiting, especially when trying to compete for top rankings.

Another drawback is that some tours eventually repeat. While returning content gives newer players opportunities to earn older rewards, longtime players may wish for more completely new tracks or themes. Additionally, because the game emphasizes score chasing, players who simply want straightforward races may not enjoy replaying courses multiple times to improve their scores.

Even with these issues, the game remains enjoyable because of its steady stream of content and collectible elements.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is up to 1-player with online match making on one Android or IOS device, or 4-player on multiple Android or IOS devices.

Pros

• Fun and accessible gameplay designed for mobile devices
• Frequent themed tours keep the game feeling fresh
• Huge variety of classic and original courses
• Reverse and trick versions add replay value
• Large roster of drivers, karts, and gliders to collect
• Bright, colorful graphics and excellent music
• Plenty of challenges and rewards to work toward
• I like the game a lot because there’s always something new to do

Cons

• Touchscreen controls take time to master
• High scores often depend on having specific drivers, karts, and gliders
• Some tours and content eventually repeat
• Progression can feel slower without collecting stronger equipment
• Focus on score chasing may not appeal to every player

Summary

Overall, Mario Kart Tour successfully adapts the Mario Kart formula for mobile devices while introducing its own identity through themed tours, collectible characters, and an ever-changing lineup of courses. The combination of classic tracks, creative tour themes, and frequent events makes it easy to keep coming back. I like this game a lot because it’s fun, easy to pick up, and always offers new goals to achieve.

My favorite part of the game is using Fairy Daisy. She’s my favorite character, and her magical appearance makes every race even more enjoyable. Whether I’m collecting new drivers, competing in tours, or revisiting classic Mario Kart courses, Mario Kart Tour provides an entertaining experience that captures the charm and excitement of the Mario Kart series while offering something unique for mobile players.

As I stated before, the game will end services on September 30th, 2026 but players can still enjoy the game until then.