Review: 'Mario Kart Tour' on the iPhone and iPad falls short on nearly every front

Posted:
in General Discussion edited September 2019
Mario Kart Tour has raced onto the App Store, and it is an example of what not to do when converting a beloved franchise to mobile.

Mario Kart Tour


Nintendo has released another mobile Mario game. Mario Kart Tour becomes the third title to make it to the iPhone, alongside Dr. Mario World and Super Mario Run.

As a fan of Mario Kart, I wanted to know if Nintendo could make a mobile version that stayed true to form.

It looks like a Mario Kart...

Visually, Mario Kart Tour is fine. It's got the bright colors and slick-smooth textures we've come to expect from modern Mario games. The sounds are all extremely Mario Karty. The music is, as far as I can tell, mostly just slightly tweeked versions of songs from previous games.

Overall, it looks and sounds exactly like a Mario Kart should.

...But feels all wrong.

Mario Kart Tour rankings


If I were to ask you what makes a person a decent player at Mario Kart, you might give me a couple of different answers. Maybe you'd say understanding dashing and drifting or knowing when to use items. While these are good answers, I'd posit it is something else.

The ability to steer.

Specifically, the ability to steer well, in the case of a good player. I've played a considerable amount of various Mario Karts in my time, and all of them have come down to fine motor control. Can you hug the curves of a track? Can you squeeze between two obstacles? Can you navigate to that hidden shortcut? It all boils back to being able to steer without under- or over-steering.

Mario Kart Tour, however, removes a lot of that. First, your kart auto accelerates, which means you're automatically guided through turns and obstacles at the speed the game assumes you should go.

Next, the steering is an imprecise swiping motion. If you're like me, you exclusively play Mario Kart with a controller that has a plethora of buttons and at least one joystick. Swiping does not feel correct, and I'm not sure if there's a solution to this problem.

I suppose I'd argue that the solution would be to not bring Mario Kart to mobile phones in the fist place, but even an on-screen joystick would be better than the current setup.

My other argument is a big part of Mario Kart is being able to see what you're doing, which makes the developers choice to run the game in portrait especially strange. I'm not sure why they didn't just make the game run in landscape mode.

It also feels too easy

Now, I'm pretty decent at video games, but out of the couple dozen games of Mario Kart Tour that I have played, I have won nearly 100% of them. I primarily race on 50cc and 100cc, which definitely aren't the hardest modes, but my win ratio still seems impossibly high.

In fact, I was pretty sure something was up, so I started up a 100cc race and took my finger off the screen. I wanted to see if it was possible for my character to complete a race by themselves. After all, the game features auto acceleration, so it'd be likely that my character could wrangle in a solid 8th place without my input.

Well, I was wrong. My character didn't come in dead last. They came in fourth place. Not only that, but any time I'd hit a wall or go off a jump, the game was quick to re-center my character into the middle of the track. I never steered, I never used an item, and I never jumped. I never touched the screen, and my character still came in fourth.

Robert Bowling had a similar experience, except his character came in first. First place with no physical input. And he was playing on a 200cc level, which is regarded as the hardest mode.

Just tried to lose a race in Mario Kart Tour and it literally forced me to win.

I turned off smart steering, didn't steer manually and just let it drag me across the wall or across the road on curves.

I didn't do a rocket start and fired off items instantly. Still 1st place. pic.twitter.com/cwYr4g4odK

-- Robert Bowling (@fourzerotwo)


At this point, you could almost argue that Mario Kart Tour isn't a game. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but as soon as you remove win/loss conditions from a game, I think it ceases to be a game. Maybe, just maybe, it becomes more difficult at higher levels, but as of right now, it definitely feels like it's heavily weighted in the players favor.

Again with the extensive in-app purchases

IAP


I don't know who is heading up mobile development at Nintendo, or at the very least, who is giving them the go-ahead on their mobile game pricing. Whoever it is, though, needs to cool their jets on the in-app purchases.

Mario Kart Tour genuinely features some of the worst IAP in a Nintendo game we've seen to date. By any measure, Mario Kart Tour is a gacha game. Gachas are named after Japanese toy machines that feature blind-packed toys that come in a set. The highly controversial practice of lootboxes works on the same premise.

Gachas are highly predatory by nature. They require you to spend money at the chance of getting something you want. In Mario Kart Tour, you spend rubies for the chance to get new drivers or car parts.

Rubies are three for $1.99 (or $0.66 each) but can be purchased in bulk for a discount. If you purchase 135 rubies for $69.99, it drops the price to about $0.52 per ruby. In order to draw a random item, such as a new kart driver or kart part, you have to spend 5 rubies. If you choose the option to draw 10 times, you have to pay 45 rubies. This means, that on average, you're paying anywhere between $2.60 to $3.32 for single draws, or $23.40-$29.84 for the ability to draw 10 items at a time.

Can you get rubies without paying? Yes. Like most gachas, the premium currency is not exclusively for people who spend money on it. However, like most gachas, these are doled out slowly and somewhat rarely. You can get them as a daily log-in bonus or as a reward for doing well in certain races, but they are fairly few and far between.

So we've established that the game is going to try to beat money out of you. What we haven't talked about is the gacha-draws themselves. Gachas often feature a tier system that is based off of rarity. Especially useful items or popular characters are more rare, so the chances of you drawing them is significantly smaller. Additionally, you do have the ability to get duplicates. Like Pokemon Masters, getting a duplicate will raise the level of an item and make it better.

This means that not only are you more likely to get items and characters that you don't particularly want, but the odds of you being able to level up something useful go down. You'll probably pull a Koopa Troopa multiple times before you'll ever pull Metal Mario, let alone pull Metal Mario enough times to level him up.

Also, as previously discussed, it's already hard enough to lose the game, so what's the point of pumping money into it?

I've always wondered why games don't give players the ability to outright purchase characters, skins, and items directly, rather than forcing them to buy a random chance to pull something. I'm one of the many people out there who has no problems spending money on apps and games. I'd gladly buy my favorite characters and fun or useful items in just about any game out there. What I don't spend money on is random chance.

Admittedly, there's an option to buy characters and items in in Mario Kart Tour. Sort of. You can only buy the characters and items that show up in the Daily Selects section of the store, and you can only purchase them with coins you have collected. Coins appear on regular tracks, but appear in greater quantities in tracks that you pay rubies to race on. You'll need to spend approximately six rubies to gain enough coins to buy a common rarity character out of the Daily Selects section, or about what you'd pay if you were to just draw a random chance. Again, it all comes back to that premium currency.

And lets not forget the fact that Nintendo has already shut down an underperforming gatcha app-- Miitomo. Players who had spent money on Nintendo's first mobile app, Miitomo, were devistated to hear that it was closing and all the items that they had purchased would be inaccessible upon shutdown. Miitomo didn't have the same amount of interest that an entry into Mario Kart would, but it wouldn't be surprising if Nintendo chose to close down Mario Kart Tour if interest waned.

I'll pass on the Gold Pass

gold pass


Mario Kart Tour also offers something called the Gold Pass, which gives you the ability to earn increased rewards and race at higher speeds. You can also earn badges from gold challenges. You can get a free two week trial of the Gold Pass, but afterward it costs $4.99 a month.

Something else came out recently that costs $4.99 a month. What was it? Oh, right, Apple Arcade. You know, the game service that features about a hundred games that don't have premium currency or in-app purchases. You know, the game service that doesn't try to get you to spend additional money on top of your monthly commitment.

The Gold Pass feels highly exploitative. You're not getting a guaranteed benefit, and it doesn't really prevent you from needing to occasionally purchase rubies if you want to regularly draw new items.

Overall impressions

I'm not impressed. Usually I can find something positive to write about, but with this particular offering, it's difficult. Nintendo makes it hard to love their mobile offerings, which is strange because their console games are always pretty good, if not great.

I would pass on this title if you haven't already made a leap to downloading it, and I wouldn't suggest putting any money into it if you do.
tnet-primaryuraharaappleph
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 27
    robjnrobjn Posts: 280member
    Let’s have some reviews of Apple Arcade games.
    williamlondonagilealtitudeuraharagregoriusmwatto_cobran2itivguy
  • Reply 2 of 27
    I said “uh, no thank you” when it wouldn’t even let me try the game without creating a Nintendo account. Fastest delete of an app I have ever done. 
    cornchipriverkoagilealtitudeuraharaCarnageargonautwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 27
    Joe PiervincentiJoe Piervincenti Posts: 26unconfirmed, member
    You mixed up the two in the comment about portrait and landscape mode :)     The game definitely has issues, but I’m enjoying it, but that’s because when it comes to mobile games that are related to console games, I look at them as complementary and not a substitute for the better console experience.  Personally, I think the arrow displayed in front of your kart makes steering much easier!
    pulseimagescornchip
  • Reply 4 of 27
    Until Nintendo fixes the Switch’s Joy Con Drift problems with both the original Switch and new Switch Lite for good, I’ll be happy to play their iPhone offerings. I love Pocket Camp and Super Mario Run but hated Dr. Mario. Mario Kart can be challenging to control at first but I’m routinely scoring 1st place finishes in 150cc. It sometimes suffers from slowdown which can be annoying. I wish they would release a Zelda title for the iPhone. 
    cornchipwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 27
    diz_geek said:
    I said “uh, no thank you” when it wouldn’t even let me try the game without creating a Nintendo account. Fastest delete of an app I have ever done. 
    Same procedure here
    diz_geekagilealtituden2itivguyCarnageargonautwatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 27
    Eh, I disagree. I haven't found an Apple Arcade game that I've enjoyed playing yet (they all seem very basic?). Whereas I've loved Mario Kart Tour (opted to purchase the first pack and gold pass) and have spent close to 10 hours playing since launch. It's a richer gaming experience than I expected, and even if I only get another 20 hours total out of it, I don't think paying $1/hour for a game is outrageous. 

    I do hope they improve the steering options a bit... as well as make the gold pass transferrable between devices signed into the same account. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 27
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,152member
    How does it compare to sonic?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 27
    BwlmogBwlmog Posts: 11unconfirmed, member
    Tried it, didn’t like the control system and deleted. That said, I’m not someone that uses my IPhone for games.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 27
    I already had a Nintendo Account so decided to try it. The game is very entertaining without having to spend any money at all. The steering options/sensitivity can be improved for sure.
    watto_cobrapulseimages
  • Reply 10 of 27
    i am a bit mind blown reading the comments. people are actually considering it a “rich” experience. how!?

    i figured out the controls, which are less about swiping and more about not touching the screen until a corner and then it is simply how far from centre and how long you press.

    now, reading this review, it seems even that level of discovery was pointless. i could just watch the game play itself.

    after that there is literally zero to the game except gambling.

    actually that explains why there is no skill to the game. it creates an illusion that you are good at it, so the feeble minded think they are achieving and therefore pump money into it.

    could call it “mario kart gambling tour”, tagline, “gamble real money for the chance to win your favourite characters”

    i think also, the other players are bots, or worse the game is rigged so the outcome for each player in a match is different. why? i noticed that if a system notification appears, let’s say a 20% power warning which halts play until you dismiss. nothing happens! the other players don’t snap ahead because you stopped moving, nor do you, the whole play stops.

    you don’t even play against anyone. the game is 100% scam.

    a gambling scam directed at children.
    lollivermacplusplusagilealtituden2itivguyuraharaargonautwatto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 27
    Absolutely terrible game. Nintendo is partnering with a company called DeNA to make these games. And they're just pure garbage. They look nice, but they're gross and gambly. I wish Nintendo were making games for Apple Arcade.
    lolliveragilealtitudematrix077n2itivguyuraharaargonautwatto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 27
    Couldn’t agree more with this review. As a Nintendo fan, I’m so disappointed by the approach they have taken with such a hallowed title. Not just the horrible control mechanics but the monetisation strategy. Personally, I was incredible confused by the menu screens. The constant push to in app purchases makes for fit inducing busy UI that left me entirely confused as to what I was supposed to be doing. And the €5 a month subscription offer - are you kidding me Nintendo? €5 for what exactly? Nintendo should be embarrassed by the quality of this game and the monetisation strategy. 

    I tried Apple Arcade and immediately installed Sonic Racers. Infinitely more fun and kart control so much better. 
    lolliveragilealtitudematrix077n2itivguyargonautwatto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 27
    diz_geek said:
    I said “uh, no thank you” when it wouldn’t even let me try the game without creating a Nintendo account. Fastest delete of an app I have ever done. 
    same with me
    n2itivguyuraharaargonautwatto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 27
    I'll save you sometime... this game is hot garbage and I say that before even considering the loot boxes and 5 dollar a month in app subscription. Those additional items elevate this game from a bad game to just a total scam. I say this as a long time Nintendo fan, don't even waste your data downloading it. If it wasn't from Nintendo and featuring Mario no one would even notice this game, it's that bad.
  • Reply 15 of 27
    Eh, I disagree. I haven't found an Apple Arcade game that I've enjoyed playing yet (they all seem very basic?). Whereas I've loved Mario Kart Tour (opted to purchase the first pack and gold pass) and have spent close to 10 hours playing since launch. It's a richer gaming experience than I expected, and even if I only get another 20 hours total out of it, I don't think paying $1/hour for a game is outrageous. 

    I do hope they improve the steering options a bit... as well as make the gold pass transferrable between devices signed into the same account. 
    You didn't like Sonic Racing which in my opinion is way better then this poor verison of Mario Kart?? No depth in Oceanhorn 2?? I mean we all have our own likes and dislikes but find your comment surprising on Apple Arcade. Interested in what games you have tried??
  • Reply 16 of 27


    i think also, the other players are bots
    Yes they are.

    I did try this game for about 20 minutes. I agree with others who said that the controls could be better.

    Regarding the bots, I remember seeing something in the game about how live multiplayer was supposed to be coming eventually.
    edited September 2019 watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 27
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,858administrator
    robjn said:
    Let’s have some reviews of Apple Arcade games.
    Soon.
    lolliveragilealtitudecy_starkmann2itivguywatto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 27
    dunksdunks Posts: 1,254member
    I'm a long-time Nintendo fan and I'm extremely disappointed by their mobile efforts. I'm immensely grateful that the Switch is profitable because this is hot, wet garbage.

    These aren't games, they are psychologically-tuned poker-machines that fit in your pocket and can ping you with reminders. I don't care if they are profitable, these mechanics need to be outright banned. They give the industry a bad name and distract developers from making genuinely creative experiences that delight and enrich lives.
    n2itivguyuraharaargonautwatto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 27
    What do you expect? The dream that Nintendo will bring real versions of their games to iOS is only going to happen if their hardware fails. The Switch is a decent console, especially with the Pro Controller.

    The kind of games Nintendo excels at need a dedicated controller to be good. A touchscreen will never do, no matter how much iOS-only gamers don’t understand that.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 27
    Weren't Gachas a big part of  stores in Japan a few years ago? I remember reading about them. You'd pay x amount for a grab bag that would have some random  stuff. 

    Coming to this game, I'm in the camp that hasn't tried the game since I don't have a Nintendo account. Thanks for saving me the trouble of creating one, AI!
    watto_cobra
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