Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo's free-to-play mobile racing game launched in 2018, is being discontinued as one of the franchise's most divisive entries. The game generated significant revenue through a gacha system requiring real-money expenditure to unlock desired vehicles and racers, a monetization approach that frustrated players despite Nintendo's 2022 shift to an item shop and subscription model.

The service ends in late September with in-game purchases and auto-renewals already suspended. Nintendo confirmed players receive complimentary Gold Pass access through the shutdown date, but explicitly ruled out an offline paid alternative like Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp received. Several Tour tracks have already transferred to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via its Booster Course Pass, though others will be permanently removed from Nintendo's active library.