The Racing Goes On In Mario Kart Tour

Nearly a year ago, I downloaded Mario Kart Tour on my smartphone and elaborated on what I enjoyed about the experience that marked the first time Mario and the crew raced outside of a Nintendo console or handheld [32] [33] [34] [35]. Since March 2020, Version Two helped the app maintain its cred for those Nintendo nerds who became rather hooked on it [14] [27], despite the negative feedback Version One received mostly for its questionably greedy deals [29] [40]. Looking at the reception the app has received [26], I would say that Mario Kart Tour is like Marmite. You either love it or hate it [1] [20] [28]. Have no fear because I have not spent a penny on the microtransactions and just spent five rubies on a pipe when I felt like it. Despite the negative side of the reception’s spectrum, I will always be a fan of the Mario Kart series [30] [31], especially when it comes to racing as my homegirl, Princess Peach [10] [13] [14] [15]. Moreover, fasten your seatbelt and do not step on the gas pedal for too long because we are about to zoom through a few updates on Mario Kart Tour in its second version in association with wishing the Super Mario franchise a happy 35^th anniversary [5] [16].

Here is the new title screen for Mario Kart Tour in 2020. [14]

Oh. And did mention I love this Peach badge? [14]

Well, it looks like there is finally a real multiplayer mode after we have only witnessed opponents being controlled by artificial intelligence with usernames tacked onto them [17]. A player can also type in a room code if they wish to only play with those nearby in their local area [14], similar to how a contestant can enter a code for a game of Quiplash or Quiplash 2 [6] [7]. Alternatively and quite more ambitiously, there is also the option to race against actual players around the world, either in a standard race or a gold race that requires a gold pass to compete in. As someone who has not purchased one, I can see how it can increase the reward system by providing gold badges to earn and provide another challenge with the difficulty of 200cc [10] [11] [12] [14]. I am delighted to witness my opponents racing under the genuine influence of other Nintendo nerds. However, if there are any signs of one of them being a hacker that cheats in a race, bringing back unnerving memories of hackers in online races of Mario Kart Wii [4], bring on the blue shells in the name of karma! No gold passes for them!

Three ways to finally play Mario Kart Tour with other Nintendo nerds: locally, standard worldwide and worldwide with a gold pass. [14]

Here is one of my moments of finally playing the game with other racers rather than CPUs, but with another new feature… [14]

Another new feature that increases the appeal of Mario Kart Tour for some Nintendo nerds is the option to play it whilst holding the device horizontally [14] [18]. I like how the new Landscape mode shows more of the course being raced on and can make the experience feel more like a handheld game, quite similar to Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing and Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed for iOS and Android [21] [22] [36] [37]. However, I will admit that the Landscape mode was quite difficult for me to get used to, considering how I got very used to playing the game in its standard mode [14]. It felt quite awkward to swipe one thumb across the side of my screen whilst holding my other thumb down to drift. Nevertheless, enabling Smart Steering and Steer/Drift Button Display for the Landscape mode made it feel quite like my experience with Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing for iOS [22]. If some players prefer the standard ways of playing the game vertically, good for them. Playing Mario Kart Tour horizontally may sort of feel like playing Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart 7 once the Landscape mode without Steer/Drift Button Display starts to get comfortable to get used to [10] [13].

I remained a little unsure about Landscape mode before I activated Smart Steering. I am quite glad I got at least some feeling of playing Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing on my iPod Touch back in those good old days. I can say that was somewhat predicted in my first article about Mario Kart Tour [31] [32]. [14]

I also like how there is option to quickly change the mode to Portrait/Landscape mode just in case a new player may not get used to one mode and hopes to quickly switch to the other whilst focusing completely on the race. As long as the variety of alternations is present [32] [33], Mario Kart Tour can still appeal to its crowd. [14]

The cups in the newer tours do not need to be unlocked, compared to the first few tours back in late 2019 [32] [33] [34] [35]. Even though a form of challenge with a familiar task of unlocking new cups by completing the first one is now absent, the option to try out any race or challenge from any cup makes the experience excitingly non-linear and gives the player more freedom [14]. The tour gifts still need to be unlocked with certain amounts of stars from racing though. For only twenty-four hours, the icon of a cup will be highlighted in gold to show that its courses will give extra coins after racing, which can potentially motivate a player who wants to save coins for buying a new racer, kart or glider from the shop. There is also now a progress bar beneath each task in the lists of challenges, which is useful for the player to know how much more of the task they need to do to receive another badge. Besides eliminating glitches after calling the Glitchbusters [38] [39], many changes with a mobile game’s update can be useful or at least interesting, including specific changes in Mario Kart Tour’s 2020 updates [14].

A fellow Mario Kart racer can now play any of the cups at the beginning of a new tour. [14]

Some progress bars are now visible to help the player know much they need to do left to earn more stars. [14]

Throughout the tours, the lists of unlockables in Mario Kart Tour just keeps getting bigger in the name of cultural cred and familiar aspects [14] [25]. I would also like to make a list of my favourite outfits worn by certain characters throughout the tours, including:

•        Rosalina’s beach dress
•        Peach’s vacation outfit
•        Pauline’s party dress
•        Mario’s musician suit
•        Rosalina’s aurora dress

My favourite karts are:

•       White Royale
•       Glided Prancer
•       Daytripper
•       Rose Queen

My favourite gliders include:

•       Blizzard Parasol
•       Butterfly Sunset
•       Pink Flower Glider

It is amazing and ambitious how the roster of racers, including clones of them in outfits that suit the theme of a tour, would continue to increase the game’s overall appeal to a large crowd of mobile gamers and Nintendo nerds with different interests if it was not for the very little chances to get a desired one [14]. I may not have unlocked much of my favourites, but I can always gaze at images of them [25]. Furthermore, some Nintendo nerds may be curious about what will be new in the next tours while some toy collectors are looking forward to being cuted out by the third series of Kitten Catfe this Autumn [8] [9].

Rosalina looks absolutely stunning in her Aurora outfit! [14]

And the blizzard parasol is beautiful! [14]

With a new option to play the game in a landscape view and a proper multiplayer mode [17] [18], I say that Mario Kart Tour might have further increased its cred to some degrees in 2020, even though some players must have stopped playing it for a while due to the disappointment of the chances of getting a high-end racer, kart or glider being too low [14]. I can say that the ongoing service for the app from Nintendo might have a coping mechanism during the first few weeks of lockdowns that were established to prevent the coronavirus outbreak from spreading any further [3]. While some doll collectors out there are delighted by the colours of the dolls within the first Rainbow High line and plenty of Sonic supporters are getting into the spirit of the Olympics by playing Sonic at the Olympic Games – Tokyo 2020 on their iOS and Android devices [2] [19] [23] [24], plenty of Nintendo nerds out there are still racing in Mario Kart Tour, possibly without spending a penny on any microtransactions. Have I been too optimistic about playing the app or can you tolerate it as much as I can? Let me know before I launch a blue shell at you!

Just look at Mario and Luigi’s cool outfits on my newest T-shirt! Could they be featured in a new tour of Mario Kart Tour soon? [30]

Strive and ride, Mario Kart Racers! [11]

References

1. BugPowderDust. (2011). Marmite advert with Paddington. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyIb6olr1uc. Last accessed 25th Jul 2020.
2. BratzPassion888. (2020). Rainbow High™ fashion dolls commercial. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Z_TMS2Ty0. Last accessed 21st Jul 2020.
3. Channel 4 News. (2020). Breaking: UK to go into 3 week lockdown - PM says "You must stay at home".. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXj_itbwKro. Last accessed 25th Jul 2020.
4. ColhanRantQueen. (2010). Mario Kart Wii Hackers. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqD4Xh1stQg. Last accessed 21st Jul 2020.
5. Doolan, L. (2020). Hasbro Celebrates Super Mario's 35th Anniversary With Monopoly And Jenga. Available: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/hasbro_celebrates_super_marios_35th_anniversary_with_monopoly_and_jenga. Last accessed 25th Jul 2020.
6. JackboxGames. (2015). Quiplash. Microsoft Windows. Illinous, United States.
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8. JAKKS Pacific, INC. (2020). Meet Us. Available: https://kittencatfe.com/index.php#meet-us. Last accessed 23rd Jul 2020.
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16. Nintendo. (1985). Super Mario Bros. Nintendo Entertainment System. Tokyo, Japan.
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33. Williams, L. (2019). Mario Kart Tour Concludes The Mario Mobile Trilogy Of The 2010s. Available: https://laurawritesanarticle.blogspot.com/2019/09/mario-kart-tour-review.html. Last accessed 21st Jul 2020.
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38. Williams, L. (2018). The Sims Mobile: A Pink Plumbob In Every Event. Available: https://laurasambitiouswriting.wordpress.com/2018/03/29/the-sims-mobile-pink-plumbob/. Last accessed 25th Jul 2020.
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40. YongYea. (2019). Mario Kart Tour's Garbage Mobile Monetization Is Nintendo At Their Greediest. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuF9aK6Jz5s. Last accessed 21st Jul 2020.

Could You Be A Cookstar For Cooking Mama?

Another shout-out to our fellow 2000s kids coming up! I enjoyed playing the original Cooking Mama game on my pink Nintendo DS when I was a preteen [1] [6]. I especially liked making a sandwich and combining meatballs with spaghetti while many of us witnessed the horrors of PETA’s own edition of the game that was created to encourage vegetarianism and veganism [6] [20]. I was even aware of how Mama was also into gardening, camping, crafting, and babysitting as a teenager who played Cooking Mama Friends’ Cafe on Facebook and Cooking Mama Lite on an iPod Touch [3] [4] [5]. As a young adult in 2017, I was quite fascinated at Mama’s sweet shop business that must have stimulated the sweet teeth of many Nintendo 3DS players [15]. However, was it a sign of the franchise becoming quite stale like uneaten bread? If that was the case to some of you, perhaps preparing a meal with Mama on the Nintendo Switch can be almost as refreshing as a glass of cool strawberry milk before its expiration date on the carton [2] [9]. With high hopes for Mama’s first game for the Switch, I urge you all to remain polite. Otherwise, there will be no dessert for you!

The title of Mama's new chapter is "Cooking Mama: Cookstar Star" [2] [9], which sounds quite motivating. [9]

Is anyone up for cosplaying as Mama soon [19]? [9]

A few screenshots of the upcoming instalment were leaked back in 2019 [2]. I can say that the graphics look quite vibrant [9]. The textures for the foods may not be the most realistic at times, but they are at least convincing. The realistic texture on the chopping board, leaves on the plant, and so on in the gameplay meet up with today’s expectations of 3D graphics in video games. Strangely enough, the food’s textures are absent in the recipe selection screen, which must be just to make them look like selective icons [2]. I can tell since the large variety of recipes to choose in the selection screen in the original Cooking Mama for the Nintendo DS somewhat looked like what you would see in a 16-bit game [1]. Despite how blurry the view of the kitchen seems in the main menu of Cooking Mama: Cookstar, the colour palette of it truly brings out those family-friendly vibes for fairly causal gamers [2]. As long as the same graphics from the Cooking Mama games for home consoles are used to keep that child-friendly charm for casual gamers who enjoy cooking [5], the game ought to receive praise for its faithfulness to what the franchise recognisable.

Want a bite of rather realistic rendering? [2]

Oh. Did I mention that I also admire this clear view of the kitchen behind Mama? Thank goodness they did not drastically redesign her as we may not be ready for that yet. [2]

As shown in the trailer, the player who takes on the role of a chef will once again be presented with a variety of challenges when it comes to cooking a variety of recipes [2] [9]. The indication that would usually be at the bottom right corner during some of the tasks is solid evidence of the game featuring compatibility with motion controls [9]. An example of motion controls that can bring out the feeling of being a chef would be flicking the right Joy-Con left and right to tame fire under the grill with a fan [9]. Even though some gamers believe that motion controls are not as relevant as they were since the Nintendo Wii era [27], at least movements with the Switch’s Joy-Cons can still make gameplay feel active. There is also the challenge of pressing a certain button for a certain task at the right time [9], which reminds me of how I would follow instructions as well-timed as I can in the original Cooking Mama for the Nintendo DS [1]. At least the controls will be likely to be far more responsive than the wooden spoon in Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals [20]. Thank you for those splendid times, PETA.

Another example of motion controls in Cooking Mama: Cookstar is titling a chopping board as show here. [9]

When life gives you lemons, make motion controls. [2]

The most important aspect of establishing a cooking simulation game is, of course, the food. The new grilled cheese sandwich that consists of multi-coloured cheese and is one of the recipes the player will be able to cook in the game reminds me of iJustine’s green grilled cheese sandwich recipe back in early 2018 [9] [13], along with the rainbow grilled cheese sandwich her sister Jenna back in 2016 [14]. Could one of the unlockable recipes also be the pink heart-shaped marshmallows we prepared in a demo of Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop [12]? As much as plenty of us loathed PETA’s Cooking Mama game [20], at least Cooking Mama: Cookstar has been praised by the organisation for featuring a special vegetarian mode for vegetarian gamers [10]. Additionally, I also think the mode should also feature a few vegan recipes so that it can appeal to players who also do not eat any other animal products. Aside from a promising variety of recipes for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and possibly vegans, there is also an option to take a photograph of a finished meal and perhaps add a filter and some stickers to it after a series of challenges in the gameplay [9].

PETA’s Cooking Mama game
Was quite an online dud.
Player discretion was advised
As there was lots of blood. [17] [20] [28]

But this Cooking Mama game’s
New mode sounds pretty sweet.
It can appeal to gamers
Who simply don’t eat meat. [17] [20] [28]

There also seems to be more customisable features, such as the option to change Mama’s apron and kerchief [2]. I do not think she will wear other accessories as she did in Crafting Mama [7], but I can see it will help her maintain practicality when it comes to cooking. As someone who loves changing outfits of characters in video games, I am very pleased that the player will be able to dress her up again [8]. I like how you can also change several items in the kitchen [2]. Furthermore, the player can feel like Mama’s kitchen seems like their own once they change the appearances of the cooking items to their favourites. To be honest, I would like an option to change the interior decorating of the kitchen, similar to how I could change many decorative aspects of the rooms in Laura’s house once she waves a magic wand in Laura’s Happy Adventures [26]. If I ought to play the game later this year or two, my boyfriend might as well nag me to buy more aprons and kerchiefs for Mama like how I nagged him to buy more clothes for Travis Touchdown in No More Heroes [21].

Mama would be very delighted to have a fashionista in the kitchen. [2]

The player will also be able to share images of food on Facebook and Twitter [2]. Just look at how obvious the reference to Facebook is on the right. [2]

Looking back to cover, I can say the next chapter of Mama’s life as a housewife can look promising on shop shelves. I think the way Mama is holding a smartphone and taking a picture of the rainbow grilled cheese sandwich might be a sign of trying a bit too hard to appeal to the youth of today [2]. Nevertheless, I suppose it can be related to the option to take pictures of the recipes as shown in the gameplay. I also like how the word “Cookstar” is surrounded by a lovely palette of pink, purple, and blue that reminds me of the Crazy Eight’s design in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [18] [24], as well as how its font matches the Cooking Mama logo. I think having one of the newest recipes as the one Mama is taking a photograph of makes the cover look more refreshing to those who remember playing any of the previous Cooking Mama games. It can also make the game already seem appealing to sims with the grilled cheese aspiration [11] [25]. With a promising cover, it ought to stand out in its own way as a new Switch game and an addition to the Cooking Mama franchise.

Grilled cheese! Grilled cheeeeese! GRILLED CHEEEEEEESE!!!!!! [2] [9] [11]

By the way, you can tell by this screenshot that the cover is definitely not misleading. I am just throwing that out there as if it is a bone to keep the dog out of the kitchen while I cook. [9]

Cooking Mama: Cookstar is to be released on the 13^th of March 2020 with the potential to continue Mama’s legacy in a new decade [2] [9]. Aside from how I think Mama’s new cooking experiences for the early 2020s can welcome new Cooking Mama players to the franchise, I also admire the colour of the new carol Nintendo Switch Lite [16], which is another great thing about 2020 so far besides the live-action movie based on Sonic the Hedgehog turning out to be enjoyable [22]. Unfortunately, the coronavirus outbreak is likely going to heavily affect the marketing of the new addition to the Switch Lite pack in Japan [16]. I sincerely wish those who have been affected by the disease a full recovery, along with several helpful ways to maintain positive thinking and good mental health, such as looking forward to upcoming films and such. Despite a rough start of the year for some of us [16] [23], we can still look forward to new things, such as a new addition to our favourite video game franchises. Once Cooking Mama: Cookstar is part of your Switch game library in your country, bon appétit after a few challenges for preparing a delicious meal!

Despite the mishaps that may have decreased our motivations at the very start of a new decade [16] [23], we can still look for positive vibes in quite a proactive way. [2].

References

1. 505 Games. (2006). Cooking Mama. Nintendo DS. Milan, Italy.
2. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2020). Cooking Mama: Cookstar. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama:_Cookstar. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
3. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Cooking Mama Friends Cafe. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama_Friends_Cafe. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
4. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Cooking Mama Lite. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama_Lite. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
5. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Cooking Mama (Series). Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama_(Series). Last accessed 21st Feb 2020.
6. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Cooking Mama (video game). Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama_(video_game). Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
7. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Crafting Mama. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Crafting_Mama. Last accessed 21st Feb 2020.
8. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Mama. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Mama. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
9. Dante Nintendo Switch World. (2020). Cooking Mama: CookStar - Debut Trailer for Nintendo Switch HD. Available: https://youtu.be/iPH_9xNeHTk. Last accessed 19th Feb 2020.
10. Doolan, L. (2019). Random: Cooking Mama: Cookstar Receives Award From PETA For Including Vegetarian Mode. Available: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/08/random_cooking_mama_cookstar_receives_award_from_peta_for_including_vegetarian_mode. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
11. Electronic Arts. (2005). The Sims 2: Nightlife. PC. California, United States.
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27. WatchMojo.com. (2017). Top 10 Video Game Industry Trends That DIED. Available: https://youtu.be/mTAcCtY1tAQ. Last accessed 19th Feb 2020.
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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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