Mario Kart Tour Beta Test Details And Images Are Already Leaking Online

The ground looked like Mario Kart Wii.
Quite pixelated.

Pfft, betas... They'll probably remove the Wind Temple before release.

dangit, i'm registered to be a beta tester, yet here these leakers are leakin the game before i even get a chance to play it >:v

Looks like they've taken a level from the 3DS version, with that big Toad float. Also, I'm pretty surprised at how bare-bones this looks, I was expecting something a lot closer to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe visually. I definitely expected more from probably their most popular franchise heading to mobile... Also why do you race in portrait format?!

So all images are in portrait mode. I really hope there's the option to Switch to landscape....
It seems very basic, more of a teaser to get people to buy a switch with Mario Kart 8. Graphics look clean, although a little simple. Really need to see some footage of this to get a better idea....

Naughty naughty Beta testers.

For anyone who registered try this link to see if you got in. Seems to be just Japanese impressions online so if you signed up with a US account it might not be live yet
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.nintendo.zaka.b

@BANJO @tomwinsagain Nintendo want all their mobile games to be playable one handed, so people can play whilst standing on the train.

Graphically, it's more Mario Kart Wii than MK8 and it looks like it's designed to be played with one hand, same as Super Mario Run.

Looks great. Remember it’s a smartphone game. I’m excited to play it

@AcridSkull Yes it will be very simple to play. I'm still hopeful. It just seems even more basic than I imagined...
I can see why they have gone down this route.

Not for Belgium, becouse of lootboxes

It looks like it is based a lot on Mario Kart 7. Of the three stages being shown, two of them are from MK7 and the kart custom parts are also reused. I'm honestly glad that there aren't many new things here, because I'd rather have new stages/characters in Mario Kart 9 than in this mobile game. It looks nice, but that screenshot of Choco island (or whatever that stage is called) looks a bit bland.

Some people are actually mad or shocked that it doesn't look as impressive as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Dear lord... this is a mobile game...it's not rocket science on why this game looks more like Mario Kart Wii/7 than it does 8 Deluxe.

The graphics look pretty bland, considering what modern devices are capable of. Weird.

Anyway, I don't always have a Switch with me, so having Mario Kart on the go would be a nice little bonus.

@JamieH Thanks for the link!! Downloading now, can't wait to check it out for a bit!!

I’m kinda interested but even though it’s free, I always fear how they will implement the micro transactions. Only if the game involves no randomisation of content through purchases will i give it a shot.

@LavaTwilight Exactly, where's my 8k.....
Also this better be physical and not download only otherwise it's a no buy from me!!!! Haha....

Landscape mode would have made more sense. In portrait it looks little more than a move slightly left, move slightly right endeavor

Looking at the pictures, this could be very big for Nintendo. With Mario Kart being so well known, and the ease of mobile--sales could be phenomenal.

I'll try it but meh, I want a controller in hand

@Tarolusa Dude, check out trailers for Oceanhorn 2 or Beyond a Steel Sky if you don't think mobile games can have great graphics.

It looks like it’s got one of the maps from double dash

I really want a new Mario Kart. It’s been 5 years since the last game. In terms of business, Nintendo is in no rush when a port is always in the top 10.
This mobile game will be huge. But this is my least favorite way to play a game.

I could see graphics taking a hit in order to ensure that the game has a proper sense of speed. I'm completely fine with that trade-off.

This... Honestly looks pretty promising to me. I really didn't know what to expect. Glad to see the pipe kart make a return. I do wonder how drifting will work though with such a simple control scheme, unless this really is just an 'on rails' racing game with the only interaction being items and placement on the track. Will need to see video before I really get a feel for what the game is like.

The graphics are more MK7 than MK8, but are perfectly serviceable. However, the fixed portrait perspective and auto-accelerate are far less impressive

how many people are they letting into the beta. i signed up but didnt get anything

ive seen a video of the game play , looks very slow and heavy controls

@kamikazilucas There's been no word on how many are getting in, but the FAQ mentioned that if their cap is exceeded, they'll start picking participants at random.

I have a feeling that if you dont get an invite by the time the beta officially launches stateside, that might be it, unfortunately...

Gameplay is standard mobile fare. No real sense of speed unfortunately, seems like the cars are moving very slowly. Kids enjoyed playing it while eating breakfast but not sure how much depth is there to stay in. Overall solid without anything surprising or outstanding.

@redd214 Bugger! That’s a shame

I imagined it would be played in landscape.

Graphics look fine for me. Wanted to it be more classic MK than new MK. Just karts and racing keep it simple and then concentrate on feeling of speed and fun. Don’t over complicate a mobile game with over fancy tracks and gimmicks

Disappointed it’s in portrait other than that looks ok. Controls are going to be super simple guessing

@JamieH Thanks! That link would not load on my phone, but I was able to get to it through my PC and started the install there. (I'm in the US.)

Yeah I am good. This is for the super casual who doesn't own a real gaming device and the curious. That's all.

@redd214 Yeah that annoyed me, and I can't stand the control scheme, it's uncomfortable for a racer, I liked it on Mario run, but here it doesn't work

This looks epic can't wait for MarioKart tour

"Your kart automatically accelerates, leaving you to swipe left and right to steer."

Well that sound absolutely awful. Gross

guys it’s not meant to be better than the console version. sure they could release a version for ipad pro that would be far better than on the switch but why would they do that?!?!

@AshFoxX Apparently automatic and manual drift options are returning from Wii.

@JamieH that seemed to work, thank you

That screenshot with the pipe and dry bowser makes it seem like it might be like one of those gacha games, but with new characters. Also, the bowser shell? Looks like we might have signature items back too.

Somehow reminds me of the simple nature of the Arcade versions, which is of course to be expected. They are still fun.

@DTFaux that wording makes it seem like they are letting alot in

Yup this looks like an introduction to mario kart. Which is exactly what Nintendo wants their mobile games to be

i hope they allow you to buy/earn different skins and tracks.

Be nice if they had a 16-bit Mario, they missed the ball with that on Mario Run

I cannot wait for this game. It might even get me off Dragon ball Legends for awhile.

visuals look great

So... no Wario, DK, Diddy, Pauline or fun oddball choices like Wiggler, Queen Bee, etc. Instead we're getting a bunch of babies no one ever asked for. Great. Admittedly it looks significantly better than I expected... which should tell you how low my expectations were.

@1UP_MARIO exactly. The readers of this esteemed site are not really the target market; it’s all the people out there who have a phone and probably haven’t touched a Mario Kart game since the N64.

Looks alright for a quick blast on the bus. I hope they have asymmetric ghost multiplayer included.

@RadioHedgeFund seen gameplay footage and it looks great.
Time trial with leaderboards should be fun

@link3710 Metal Mario is a drop for spending emeralds

i'm sure they won't put all the major racers out in the beta

@RadioHedgeFund
I actually hope for real time multiplayer.

According to Gamexplain, there are some terrible gacha game elements in place, including having to pay to continue racing.

Mobile game... Yeah I'm out...

This already seems like an absolute, terrible travesty. No way am I going to play this. And it really pains me to say that because I love Mario Kart and it hurts to see what they're doing with this.

Nintendo. You're better than this. Stop it. Stop it now before you sell your soul.

@RupeeClock Mario run did that.

Pre Switch days I would have been mad excited for this. Now I find myself saying, "meh".

Oh, there's videos of the game on YouTube. Probably an apk or two online as well.

Looks naff. The portrait kills the game IMO.

I’m ready for MK9, but this looks better than I expected and I’m actually excited about a phone game... but please hurry up with MK9, ok?

Smh, no Pink Gold Peach... 😒

/s

Consoles forever! Long live Switch! Down with the bloody smartphone gaming!

Just played my first race and won. Controls are a little heavy and awkward, but it's fun so far. Will be great for the occasional diversion, which is all I look for from smart phone games, something to play when I'm bored.

Why would you hold the phone vertically? Horizontal seems like the way to go, creates more room for more buttons.

@Der 🤷🏽‍♂️ they should. i don’t understand but somehow we are going to get Mario Kart Tour!

Graphics are definetly looks better than MK Wii or MK7. Yes, ot's not even close to Mario Kart 8, but karts and characters looks smooth and not like polygonal mess on 3DS.

Regardless of leaks, since it is prohibited to share content from the beta, wouldn't that in turn mean you shouldn't be ethically sharing the content? Otherwise it is almost like you're endorsing leaks and anyone who leaks the game, will do so in the hopes that outlets such as yourselves, will pick it up?

No one knows how to use old assets like Nintendo! I'm sure it'll turn out ok.

Oh come on, give me Rosalina, not Toad and Peach! Lol
At any rate, pretty decent for a mobile outing, especially one that you can make free.

Is this another mobile game stuck vertically or can I turn my phone around and play horizontally?

[ULTRA RARE]

nope

nope nope nope nope nope

Hmm.... It seems that many retro courses are coming back (again!)
They are looking great, I mean, graphically it looks very polished and appealing, now that's a good mobile work.
But what I'm really interested is in how the unlocking system works, which I hope will be officially clarified soon.

Going to drop a link to my Beta discoveries so far:
https://www.nintendolife.com/forums/nintendo-mobile/mario_kart_tour_beta_discussion_thread

For a mobile game, it looks far better than it has any right to be.
That said, however, I can't look past the rampant "Gachapon mentality" that's all over this title: some argue that going for a "pay once" approach is what made Super Mario Run sell poorly, but in my eyes that choice was for the better. Here? It manages to make Mario Kart - Mario effbombing Kart - even more of a gamble than it already is, which is saying a lot.
I'd rather shell out twenty euros and keep my game, rather than going Candy Crush on it. I hope this lootboxery doesn't get past the beta phase, which is right where it belongs.

But even the worst-case scenario would be tolerable, as long as the GBA tracks - given the alarmingly low focus on them in past titles - haven't been saved for this (at the moment) travesty.

@Anti-Matter Its a mobile game what'd you expect lel

I hope no one cheats in the mobile game.

Looks stupid. We're gonna be forced to hold it in portrait mode, l m f a o. A crime for a racing game where you need a wide field of view to see what's coming. It's probably gonna be cheap one-handed trash as well with automated acceleration. Sigh!

I hope it will have some 'pro' mode that at least gives us the option to play in landscape and take control of everything ourselves. Allowing us to connect a controller etc. But it's Nintendo so that's not gonna happen. Toddler mode it is.

Graphics options would also be nice, so more powerful devices won't be forced to display these pixelated ground textures. But it's Nintendo, so that's not gonna happen.

wow looks exactly the same as the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe!

@brandonbwii
I've read the same on Kotaku. "Mario Kart Tour Is Pretty Good When It’s Not Nickel And Diming You".

According to them, there are MULTIPLE instances of freemium-type shenanigans in place to make you pay money. There's a "premium" currency used to unlock things, there's ALSO a timer-based system of hearts that, when depleted, stops you from playing until you wait a while or pay to replenish them...

According to them, the game itself isn't bad, but it seems it's trying a bit too hard to make you feel like you have to pay money... constantly...

I know, it's a "free to play" game, and they have to make money, but personnaly, a game that doesn't offer a "one-time purchase" to get the full game is a game I'll never be interested in.

Then again, I'm surely not part of the target market for this.

Mario Kart is already a game of RNG, adding "pay more to have more chances at getting better RNG" on top is a disaster. No thanks.

It looks really nice. Much more colourful than MK8

So I'm one of the lucky beta testers. I don't want to ruin the game for anyone anxiously waiting the game's release or break our apparent NDA. Apparently when you race you are racing against bots. Despite racers having what would look like player names from around the world there will be no multiplayer in this game. You can see this when the gameplay slows and so do all of the other racers. Even with this the game is fun and I would easily pay $10 for it when it releases (if it has a base cost like Super Mario Run). As far as micro transactions, don't worry about them as they will likely all be unnecessary.

@icerzerocool It won't matter because at least at this point there is no online multiplayer. I've tried several races where I lock my phone in the middle of a race and then come back maybe 20 minutes later to resume at the same point of the same race with the same players.

@Realnoize Having played the beta I've never felt the need to want to make a purchase. There isn't even anything shown in the app that would indicate you can purchase anything of consequence. The only things in the shop are driver, cart, and parachute stat boosts that I do fine without. As far as timed unlockables and stamina I don't see a way around it even with purchases. As it stands you get a prerequisite number of stars by performing well in races that have timed unlocks of new cups. You can play any currently unlocked race at any time without a need of stamina. It reminds me of the friendly Nintendo reminders of Wii Sports to "take a break" more than what you are referring to as a pay to continue feature the app doesn't have. I think Kotaku got the wrong impression from the game.