You can save yourself "Mario Kart Tour"
For the first time, a "Mario Kart" game is officially available outside of a Nintendo console. The Japanese could have saved themselves the effort.
Since Wednesday morning, you can also race Mario, Toad and co. over numerous crazy tracks on your smartphone or tablet. "Mario Kart Tour" is Nintendo's latest mobile spin-off. With "Super Mario Run", "Animal Crossing" and "Dr Mario World", the Japanese company has already gained a lot of experience. However, "Dr Mario World" was met with moderate enthusiasm from fans and, as far as I'm concerned, "Mario Kart Tour" also belongs in the shame corner.
Clumsy controls and no multiplayer
"Mario Kart Tour" plays differently to what you're used to on the Switch or elsewhere. Your kart accelerates automatically. You are only responsible for steering and shooting objects. There are two control models to choose from. After a short trial session, I didn't warm to any of them. Although you have a little more sensitivity with the motion controls, you always turn the display out of your field of vision. This is because "Mario Kart Tour" is played in portrait mode and the motion controls are not compatible with this at all.
Swipe control is recommended anyway. Swipe from the centre of the screen to the left or right to control your character. If you do nothing, the vehicle keeps its direction. I find the controls far too imprecise and unwieldy. Why I can't just tap the display left and right is a mystery to me. I'm sure I would get used to the controls over time, but I already know that this won't happen.
You could switch off the steering assistance in the options, but that would just make me crash into walls even more.
Judging by the names of the opponents, you might think you're racing against human opponents. But they're so bad that I can hardly imagine that. They are probably computer opponents with the names of real players. A traditional multiplayer mode, which is the core of every "Mario Kart", is missing. Nevertheless, you can only play the game with an active internet connection.
There are also positives: the track selection looks extensive, the game looks pretty and there are even a few new power-ups. These include a giant mushroom that makes you bigger and faster, a soap bubble that acts as a shield and turbo and a banana barrel that shoots bananas.
There is little to criticise in terms of scope, except that the 200cc mode is withheld from paying customers. And this is where the game finally gets the red flag.
A plan for 5 francs / euros a month
"Mario Kart Tour" is a prime example of a game that costs nothing but tries to take money out of your pocket at every turn. Offers for sets costing 20 francs / euros beckon directly from the start screen. You can buy rubies in bundles of up to 70 francs / euro. And there is even a monthly subscription for five francs / euro. This unlocks the 200cc mode and gives you golden cosmetic items - that's all. For the same price, you could subscribe to Apple Arcade or the Google Play Pass - if it were available outside the USA.
It looks like you can unlock all content without money apart from the 200cc mode. Even rubies are available via login bonuses and the like. Other currencies are stars and coins, which are awarded for completed races. These in turn can be used to unlock new tracks, characters, vehicles and gliders.
Little appeal
I don't find it very appealing to continue playing "Mario Kart Tour". The turbo start is a complete failure thanks to the cumbersome controls. That alone is a disqualification for me. But then the game is also littered with different currencies and unlock mechanics, and the fact that Nintendo offers a paid subscription on top of that is the bottom of the banana barrel.
Or do you see it differently?
Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.