Mario Kart Tour is finally getting online and local multiplayer (2024)

Mario Kart Tour is finally getting online and local multiplayer (1)

Starting this weekend, the free-to-play Mario Kart Tour mobile game will let you play with real people online and locally in three new multiplayer modes. The long-awaited new feature kicks off Sunday, March 8 at 8pm PT / 11pm ET / 3am (March 9) GMT.

Multiplayer for #MarioKartTour comes out on Mar. 8, 8 PM PT! You can compete against seven other players, whether they're in-game friends, nearby, or around the world. Are you ready to play? pic.twitter.com/IRwBONq560March 3, 2020

It's never as satisfying lobbing a masterfully-angled green turtle shell and overcoming a competitor when there aren't any real people to witness the feat or suffer the consequences. Thankfully, Mario Kart Tour will soon let you race against seven other players, including in-game friends, nearby racers, and players around the world.

You can play with friends or local players and choose the rules for each match, or you can play online in Standard Races with pre-set rules that change daily, which increases your rank. Gold Races are 150cc and 200cc competitive rounds only available to Gold Pass subscribers.

Course selection includes three courses from the current tour's featured cup, which changes every 15 minutes.

If you've yet to check out Mario Kart Tour, I'd say it's worth a download for fans of the franchise. And if you hate it, at least you didn't lose any money. But now with online and local multiplayer, there's a good chance you'll find a new game to keep you entertained in dental office lobbies and train rides. Heck, you might even like it enough to subscribe to the $5-a-month Mario Kart Tour Gold Pass subscription service.

If you foresee a lot of dental office lobbies and long train rides in your future, you'd do well to check out our list of the best Apple Arcade games to play right now.

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Mario Kart Tour is finally getting online and local multiplayer (2)

Jordan Gerblick

After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer, I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

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Mario Kart Tour is finally getting online and local multiplayer (2024)

FAQs

Is Mario Kart Tour actually multiplayer? ›

Mario Kart Tour is a lot of fun on your own, but nothing beats the thrill of a race with your friends. When you grow tired of playing the AI over and over again, head into Mario Kart Tour's multiplayer for a new challenge.

Why is Mario Kart Tour multiplayer so hard? ›

Mario Kart Tour multiplayer is tough because you're racing against real humans who all want that sweet victory just as much as you do! It's not just about speed but also strategy, timing, and a sprinkle of luck. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it!

How does Mario Kart local multiplayer work? ›

How to Use the Local Wireless Play Feature of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
  1. Have a player create a room and act as a lobby host. Start Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. ...
  2. Have the other players join the room. Start Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. ...
  3. Have the host select the game type and settings, and then start the match.

Is Mario Kart Tour always online? ›

Mario Kart Tour is an always-online game, so there's no way to play it without an internet connection.

Are you playing with real people in Mario Kart Tour? ›

This game includes races against bots with usernames of real players, apparently designed to give players the impression of playing against other humans.

Is Mario Kart Tour online or bots? ›

Mario Kart Tour uses both! The single-player races have a mix of bots and online players, while multiplayer races are strictly online.

Who is the fastest character in Mario Kart Tour? ›

Despite this skeleton form being slightly lighter than the other characters of his size, Dry Bowser maintains a high base speed of 4.75. In addition, the good-looking GLA and the Slick tires allow Dry Bowser to reach an exhilarating 5.75 max speed, the fastest possible in the game.

What is the hardest character to get in Mario Kart? ›

Rosalina. There is some speculation that the means to unlock Rosalina are either random or enigmatic. This simply isn't the case, as she is actually both the easiest and hardest character to unlock in the entire game.

Is Mario Kart Tour good or bad? ›

Mario Kart Tour is a good mobile racing game that could be even better with another monetization system.

Can you play local multiplayer on Switch without online? ›

The consoles connect directly to each other wirelessly, allowing you to play together in private matches even if there is no internet connection or local WiFi available. You can find this feature by going to the Main Menu > select Play > Play Local > and then choosing to Join Local Lobby or Host Local Lobby.

Can you play Mario Kart online without Nintendo Online? ›

Can I play Nintendo Switch games online without becoming a member? A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to participate in co-op and competitive online features for many first- and third-party Nintendo Switch games, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 3 and Nintendo Switch Sports.

How to play 2 player Mario Kart online? ›

Setting Up the Match
  1. Open Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
  2. Select Online Play from the Main Menu. ...
  3. Select Friends.
  4. Select Create Room, then Yes.
  5. Choose the Racer & Kart frame/glider/wheels, then click the A button to confirm. ...
  6. Share the Room Code and Password with your in PlayVS Match Lobby Chat.

Is Mario Kart Tour successful? ›

Mario Kart Tour recently became Nintendo's second biggest earner on mobile after Fire Emblem Heroes. It earned around $243 million after being downloaded 230 million times, while the free-to-play version was the most downloaded iPhone game when it was released in 2019.

How long does a tour last in Mario Kart Tour? ›

Tours last for two weeks. After two weeks, the next tour begins. The number of Grand Stars you've collected and your Challenges progress will reset each time a new tour begins.

Is there a way to play Mario Kart Tour without Nintendo Account? ›

You must link a Nintendo Account to play Mario Kart Tour. Once a Nintendo Account is linked to the application, you cannot change to a different Nintendo Account unless you delete your Mario Kart Tour save data and begin a new game.

Can you play Mario Kart Tour with a friend? ›

1. Tap Menu on the main screen, then tap Friends. 2. Tap Add Friend in the bottom left of the screen.

Are the other players in Mario Kart real? ›

Not the other one. You'll be racing against AI opponents with real player usernames, which can occasionally lead to some non-family friendly interactions.

Can you play Mario Kart multiplayer? ›

A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to play online. Wireless Play: 2 - 8 players (up to 2 per console) can race in a variety of different modes and courses. LAN Play: Up to 12 players can race via LAN connection.

What rank is Mario Kart Tour multiplayer? ›

Each player has a multiplayer grade that serves as a representation of their racing or battle skill. A player's grade is indicated by the following letters and numbers, in order from lowest to highest: F → E → D → C → B → A → S (S+1, S+2, etc.) All players begin with a grade of F.

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