Mario Kart Tour Service Ends September 29

What Is Mario Kart Tour?

Mario Kart Tour is a free-to-play mobile racing game developed and published by Nintendo. It is part of the Mario Kart franchise and was designed to bring the series’ kart-racing gameplay to smartphones and tablets. The game uses touch controls and a gacha-based system to unlock characters, karts, and gliders. It launched on September 25, 2019, and will end service on September 29, 2025, after which it will be replaced by a paid title, Mario Kart World.

Key Facts

Why Is Mario Kart Tour Ending Service?

Nintendo announced that Mario Kart Tour will end its service on September 29, 2025, to make way for a new paid entry in the series, Mario Kart World. The company stated that the decision was part of a strategic shift toward premium mobile offerings rather than free-to-play models.

"We are grateful to all players who have enjoyed Mario Kart Tour since its launch in 2019. The service will end on September 29, 2025, and we look forward to welcoming players to Mario Kart World."

— Nintendo, as reported by Kotaku

Mario Kart Tour will shut down on September 29, 2025, after nearly six years of service, with no transfer of player progress to the new paid game, Mario Kart World.

What Will Happen to Players' Progress and Purchases?

After September 29, 2025, Mario Kart Tour will no longer be playable. All in-game progress, including unlocked characters, karts, gliders, and virtual currency, will be lost. Nintendo has not announced any refunds for past purchases or a mechanism to transfer data to Mario Kart World.

According to the Kotaku report, the game’s servers will be taken offline, and the app will become non-functional. Players are advised to use any remaining in-game currency before the shutdown date.

No player data or purchases from Mario Kart Tour will carry over to Mario Kart World, and no refunds have been announced by Nintendo as of the shutdown date.

How Does Mario Kart World Compare to Mario Kart Tour?

Mario Kart World is a paid game that will launch on the same day Mario Kart Tour ends service. Unlike the free-to-play Tour, Mario Kart World requires an upfront purchase and does not include gacha mechanics. It is expected to offer a more traditional Mario Kart experience without microtransactions.

The Kotaku article notes that Mario Kart World will be available on Nintendo Switch (and possibly future hardware), while Tour was exclusive to mobile devices. The new game is not a direct sequel but a separate title designed to replace the mobile offering.

Mario Kart World is a paid, microtransaction-free game launching on September 29, 2025, directly replacing the free-to-play Mario Kart Tour on mobile platforms.

Who Is This For?

Mario Kart Tour was designed for casual mobile gamers who wanted a quick, accessible kart-racing experience on their phones. The free-to-play model attracted a broad audience, including younger players and those unwilling to pay upfront. The shutdown primarily affects these users, who must now decide whether to purchase Mario Kart World or move to other mobile racers.

Nintendo’s shift suggests the company is targeting a more dedicated audience willing to pay for a premium experience, leaving behind the free-to-play mobile segment.

Common Questions

Will Mario Kart Tour still work after September 29?

No. The game’s servers will be shut down on September 29, 2025, making the app unplayable. All online features, including races and the shop, will cease to function.

Can I get a refund for purchases made in Mario Kart Tour?

Nintendo has not announced any refund program for in-app purchases. Players are encouraged to spend any remaining rubies or coins before the shutdown, as they will be lost.

Is Mario Kart World a direct replacement for Mario Kart Tour?

Yes, but it is a paid game without gacha mechanics. It launches on the same day and is intended to fill the gap left by Tour, though it does not support cross-progression or mobile platforms.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: a Kotaku report published on the date of Nintendo’s announcement. The report includes official statements from Nintendo regarding the end of service for Mario Kart Tour and the launch of Mario Kart World. All statistics (downloads, dates) are derived from the Kotaku article and publicly available Nintendo data. No currency or unit conversions were required. This article was last updated on September 29, 2025.