Nintendo has announced that Mario Kart Tour, its popular mobile racing game, will be permanently shut down on September 30, 2026, at 7am BST in the UK. The company confirmed in an FAQ page that no offline version will be released, meaning the game will become completely unplayable after that date.
Game's Impact and Shutdown Details
Released in 2019, Mario Kart Tour was initially criticized for its gacha mechanics, which Nintendo later removed. Despite this, the game proved highly profitable, becoming the second highest-grossing mobile title for Nintendo, behind Fire Emblem Heroes, according to Sensor Tower. The game also influenced mainline Mario Kart titles, with several city courses appearing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via DLC and characters and costumes appearing in Mario Kart World.
Nintendo stated: 'We sincerely thank the many players who have loved and supported the game since service began so long ago. Thank you for playing Mario Kart Tour.' The company also confirmed that an offline version is not scheduled for release, a surprising move given that Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp received an offline option before its shutdown.
In-Game Changes and Future Plans
Some features have already been disabled, including Gold Pass subscription auto-renewals and the ability to purchase ruby in-game currency. Players subscribed to Gold Pass renewals will continue to receive benefits until their subscription expires. Starting August 4, 2026, all players will get free access to Gold Pass benefits until the shutdown.
Nintendo discontinued updates for Mario Kart Tour in 2023, though it received a surprise update to coincide with Mario Kart World's launch in 2025. The reason for the shutdown remains unclear; speculation includes a possible sequel or a shift in focus to Mario Kart World, which may require substantial DLC.
Nintendo continues to operate several mobile games, including Fire Emblem Heroes, Pikmin Bloom, Fire Emblem Shadows, and the recently launched Pictonico!.
