Nintendo's 'Mario Kart Tour' Ends Content Updates, Following Up on the Removal of Gacha Systems Last Year

Nintendo's mobile game 'Mario Kart Tour' has issued an official notice stating that starting October 4, 2023, the game will no longer release new tracks, characters, or vehicles. Instead, the game will operate by cycling through previous seasons. While no immediate server shutdown was announced, the end of content updates has sent shockwaves through the community.

Since its launch in 2019, the game has been criticized for its 'Star score' system—where coming in first place isn't enough to win. Players must equip specific characters, karts, and gliders to maximize scores, often relying on gacha (random loot box) mechanics to power up gear. This microtransaction-heavy approach led to poor early reviews.

Reflecting on the timeline, the game removed its paid gacha mechanics in October 2022, shifting to a direct-purchase system. At the time, media outlets drew parallels between this move and the closure of 'Dragalia Lost'. As predicted, exactly one year after removing the gacha, the game has now entered a state of effective stagnation.

This news triggered heated debate. Many fans argue that console giants struggle with mobile games because they lack the expertise for 'Live Service' (long-term operations). Others noted that besides 'Fire Emblem Heroes', most of Nintendo's mobile efforts have failed to gain traction. Veterans even compared the situation to the loss of 'Dragalia Lost', lamenting that Nintendo's mobile division never truly grasped the core needs of their target audience.