Mario Kart Tour – Mostly Competent In Every Competition

It has been over two weeks since Mario Kart parked in the App Store and Google Play and became the most downloaded mobile game of the 2010s [15] [22]. I enjoyed playing Mario Kart Tour for its competence of providing the Mario Kart series’ timeless appeal and a batch of what to expect in many mobile games these days [8] [25] [26]. However, plenty of players who gave the app a try are not happy with pricey microtransactions [1] [2] [3] [16] [23]. Nevertheless, we can still race for free, even with a character who is not a favourite for the highest amount of bonus points possible [8]. Aside from how I like an extra reward is given for getting three badges in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row, which reminds me of how you win at Bingo by getting four Miis in a row in Wii Party [8] [13], I feel as if I need to further analyse some more aspects of Mario Kart Tour. In addition to this, another trailer for the app has further motivated me into doing so [14]. Without further ado, I would like to extend my review on Mario Kart Tour by expressing my views on some details I have missed out on and some new additions.

Just because I enjoy the gameplay, does not mean I condone rather greedy microtransaction tactics. [8]

On the bright side, it sure is nice to have a bit of practice while some data needed to be downloaded. [8]

What’s a Mario Kart experience without trying to beat a sibling or friend in a race? Speaking of friends, I have noticed that the methods of adding friends to your friend list Mario Kart Tour are just like the ones in Miitomo and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp [5] [8] [10]. This includes linking your Twitter and Facebook accounts to the game to find the Twitter followers and Facebook friends who have it too. Well, since many of us have a smartphone with several apps installed on it in this generation, including social media apps, what do we expect? Just like when we race against a bunch of random opponents in the weekly tier, we can see if we can get a higher score than those on our friend lists [8]. As for playing solo, I have a theory on why there is some competence of other racers being present with other usernames, despite how there is still no official multiplayer mode yet [8]. The app seems to be capable of gathering the existence of random users and controlling them with its own artificial intelligence. Let us wait for the official multiplayer mode to happen in a future update.

And yes. You get to show off your badge. Jealous of me? [8]

Wow! Here is what I have been saving this review for! More racers in the app, including:

Despite how I feel as if there needs to be an offline mode for those who need to save some data on their mobile phones or cannot always access the internet in their free time [8], I suppose new additions for Mario Kart Tour can keep its legacy alive, even though I think the way it started a new tour is the wrong way to show replay value. It was interesting how the rubies were originally emeralds during the beta testing [20]. Other than that, I just hope the developers will keep listening to feedback to further enhance the Mario Kart mania for mobile devices. I am still up for an HD remake of Super Mario Kart for Nintendo’s next handheld after the legacy of the 3DS [25] [26]. Alternatively, similar to how The Sims 2 received a third compilation as “The Sims 2 Double Deluxe” back in 2008 [24], could Mario Kart 8 be re-released again as “Mario Kart 8 Double Deluxe” with more racers, including Honey Queen, Pauline, Peachette and Mario in his musical attire [7]? Probably not. I suppose it would be more necessary to just prepare for Mario Kart 10…or perhaps “Mario Kart Ultimate” with those racers [12].

•    Rosalina
•    Baby Rosalina
•    Lakitu
•    Princess Peach in her kimono
•    Mario in his hakama
•    All seven Koopalings

Additionally, we now get to see news characters cups, including the Rosalina Cup, the Lakitu Cup and seven cups that represent each Koopalings [8]. Furthermore, examples of returning courses that are available in the second tour in association with Tokyo Blur are:

•   3DS Neo Bowser City [8] [22]
•   SNES Rainbow Road [8] [22]
•   SNES Mario Circuit 2 [8] [22]

Despite being thrilled at the new courses and racers in the Tokyo tour, I was bummed when my progress of unlocking as many cups I could from the New York tour was reset all the way to only the very first cup being available and I could not find a way to recover it [8] [21] [22]. For the love of mega mushrooms, please keep the data of the first tour for those who want to race on their favourite track right away or keep improving their grand star ranks on the tracks they unlocked. Otherwise, it could devastate them and it could somehow affect their motivation to play the app.

Replay value. You’re doing it wrong. I need to set up a funeral for my unfinished New York tour progress. Seriously, progress should be reset by the player’s choice, not the game’s choice. [8]

I am quite gutted that I never got to unlock Pauline during the New York tour. Luckily, if the New York tour ought to return, I could try to unlock Pauline without the microtransaction deal again. [21] [22]

Any new racers for another update soon, besides Luigi and Shy Guy in a chef outfit [8] [22]? I am starting to feel bad for Honey Queen as she never made it as a racer in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so I would like her to be another unlockable racer in an update. Besides, her purple parasol glider from Mario Kart 7 is pretty [6]. Other racers who could return to the tracks in the next two weeks or 2020 include:

•    Funky Kong [9]
•    Pink Gold Peach [7]
•    Isabelle (to celebrate the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons) [7] [27] [28]
•    The player’s Mii (in loving memory of Miitomo) [10]

Hmmm, I could suggest Raccoon Mario and Cat Peach [7], but I think there are a bit too many versions of the couple in modern Mario Kart. Some characters who have not raced in Mario Kart before could make their racing debut, including:

·        Cosmic Spirit from Super Mario Galaxy 2 [17]

·        Dixie Kong [18]

·        Tiny Kong [18]

·        King K. Rool [12]

Even if a third tour resets the hard-earned progress from the previous one, there can still be some new character cups and a tour exclusive course to look forward too.

 

Since Mario and Peach in their cultural attire are the spotlight characters in the Tokyo tour, I bet you know what I mean by “a bit too many versions of Mario and Peach”. [7] [8] [14]

The roster is bigger compared to the first two weeks of Mario Kart Tour. Despite my suggestions for the next pack of racers for the next tour, I also strongly believe that they should definitely be the ones who have been confirmed, but not in the game yet, including Waluigi and King Boo. [8] [22]

What about Coin Rush? Well, I have been meaning to save this review for that feature too [8]. I simply needed to tap the amount of coins at the top of the screen and make sure I have at least five rubies to try it [8]. Quite fittingly enough, it was the only time I got to play as Gold Mario. The method of playing Coin Rush is just simply racing through the track alone and gathering lots of coins. Too bad I did not get a power star for attracting eight red coins [11]. Aside from that, I was quite satisfied with the fairly huge amount of coins I got, even though it would not be enough for purchasing a Super character in the shop until I tried it enough times. I would say Coin Rush is not very challenging, but it does suit the feeling of receiving a bonus level where the player can receive as many collectables, such as coins as possible as a reward for their efforts during regular levels [8]. Perhaps in another future update, we may have the option to try Coin Rush as Silver Luigi [19]. Silver can be valuable too you know!

I guess Mario is a bit of a gold digger now. [8]

Despite how I feel as if there needs to be an offline mode for those who need to save some data on their mobile phones or cannot always access the internet in their free time [8], I suppose new additions for Mario Kart Tour can keep its legacy alive, even though I think the way it started a new tour is the wrong way to show replay value. It was interesting how the rubies were originally emeralds during the beta testing [20]. Other than that, I just hope the developers will keep listening to feedback to further enhance the Mario Kart mania for mobile devices. I am still up for an HD remake of Super Mario Kart for Nintendo’s next handheld after the legacy of the 3DS [25] [26]. Alternatively, similar to how The Sims 2 received a third compilation as “The Sims 2 Double Deluxe” back in 2008 [24], could Mario Kart 8 be re-released again as “Mario Kart 8 Double Deluxe” with more racers, including Honey Queen, Pauline, Peachette and Mario in his musical attire [7]? Probably not. I suppose it would be more necessary to just prepare for Mario Kart 10…or perhaps “Mario Kart Ultimate” with those racers [12].

As much as I adore Peach in her kimono, I wonder what the Paris Tour will bring when it arrives. [8]

Oh. And one more thing. I am really digging the Purple Oilpaper Umbrella! [8]

References

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