Mario Kart Tour, the upcoming mobile adaptation of the Mario Kart series, has been delayed until summer 2019.
The news comes from the official Nintendo Twitter account. Translated, the tweet essentially states that Mario Kart Tour is getting delayed in order to improve the game's quality and ensure a steady stream of content after it's eventual launch. The title was originally planned to be released sometime between April 2018 and March 2019.
You'd probably be forgiven for forgetting that a mobile Mario Kart title is in the works. Though Mario Kart Tour was originally announced in a financials briefing back in early 2018, details on the gameplay, characters, courses, and potential pricing model have been essentially non-existent. This is unsurprising in many ways, as Nintendo revealed very few details on other mobile games Fire Emblem Heroes, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, and Dragalia Lost prior to their release. It wouldn't be shocking to see the release date for this title announced only a week or two before its actual launch.
Delaying the game to focus on quality is a move that will likely pay off in the end for Nintendo. In an October 2018 financial briefing, the company touted the continued success of their current mobile offerings, citing steady revenue from Fire Emblem Heroes, consistent player engagement with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, and highly positive user reviews of Dragalia Lost. The company likely sees Mario Kart Tour as another opportunity for a steady revenue stream.
Quick Take
Two years into Fire Emblem Heroes and a year into Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, I think Nintendo sees the financial potential of a sustained mobile player base. Taking the time to make a mobile Mario Kart that will keep players hooked right from the starting line (pun intended) will probably pay off for them big time in the long run.
Are you interested in Mario Kart Tour? What have you thought of Nintendo's mobile offerings? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
