Confirmed: Mario Kart Tour, the racing game for iPhone and Android, will cease operations on September 29 at 11pm Pacific time. According to Nintendo, the title launched in September 2019 will reach the end of its lifecycle without a planned offline version to replace it, unlike Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, which received a paid offline mode when its online service ended in 2024.
In an official statement, the company thanked players: "We sincerely thank the many players who have loved and supported the game since service began so long ago." The decision marks another chapter in Nintendo's gradual retreat from mobile gaming, a market the company had heavily pursued during the Wii U era before scaling back after the Switch's success.
Mario Kart Tour was one of Nintendo's last remaining mobile titles in active operation. Recently, Nintendo released Pictonico!, its third new mobile game within a year, suggesting possible renewed interest in the segment. The decision not to offer an offline version of Mario Kart Tour contrasts with expectations set by the Animal Crossing strategy and leaves open questions about Nintendo's future commitment to mobile gaming.
