Can You Play Mario Kart Tour Without Paying?
Yes, you absolutely can play Mario Kart Tour without spending a dime! The game operates on a “free-to-start” model, meaning you can download and play a significant portion of the game without ever reaching for your wallet. However, like many mobile games, it incorporates optional in-game purchases and subscription services that enhance the experience. Let’s delve into the details.
Understanding the Free-to-Start Model
Mario Kart Tour’s core gameplay – racing, unlocking characters, and competing in tours – is all accessible without payment. You earn rewards, unlock characters and karts through the gacha system, and progress through the game’s various cups and challenges, all while enjoying the thrill of Mario Kart on your mobile device.
However, the game monetizes through various avenues:
- Rubies: The in-game currency used to fire the “pipes” which deliver random drivers, karts and gliders. Rubies can be earned through gameplay, but are also available for purchase.
- Gold Pass: A monthly subscription service that offers exclusive rewards, including gold-themed drivers, karts, and gliders, as well as access to 200cc races.
- Packs: Bundles that offer rubies, drivers, karts, gliders, and tickets.
Strategies for Free-to-Play Success
While you can enjoy Mario Kart Tour without paying, strategic play is essential to maximize your progress and enjoyment.
- Daily Login Bonuses: Log in every day, even if you don’t play, to collect daily rewards. These can include rubies, coins, and other valuable items.
- Complete Challenges: Focus on completing daily and event challenges. These offer substantial rewards, including rubies.
- Save Your Rubies: Resist the urge to spend rubies as soon as you get them. Wait for special pipes and events that offer better odds of getting rare drivers and karts.
- Shop Smart: Check the in-game shop daily for discounted items, especially drivers, karts and gliders that you can buy with coins.
- Maximize Your Score: Understanding the scoring system is crucial. Use drivers, karts, and gliders that are favored on a given course to get score boosts.
- Ranked Cups: Participate in ranked cups to earn tier rewards which include rubies and other useful items.
The Lure of Paid Options
While the free-to-play experience is viable, the game is designed to tempt you with paid options. The Gold Pass offers exclusive content and faster progression, while purchasing rubies allows you to draw more frequently from the gacha pipes. The decision to spend money is entirely personal, depending on your level of dedication and desire for exclusive content and increased progression.
Is it Worth Playing for Free?
Absolutely! Mario Kart Tour offers a fun and accessible mobile racing experience. While the game’s monetization strategies are apparent, the core gameplay is enjoyable without spending money. With strategic play and a bit of patience, you can unlock a variety of drivers, karts, and gliders and compete effectively in races and ranked cups. It’s a great way to get your Mario Kart fix on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a Nintendo Account absolutely required to play Mario Kart Tour?
Yes, a Nintendo Account is mandatory to play Mario Kart Tour. This account allows Nintendo to track your progress, save your data, and enable online features.
2. Can I play Mario Kart Tour offline?
No, a persistent internet connection is required to play Mario Kart Tour. This is due to the game’s online ranking, event system, and other data-driven elements.
3. What is the Gold Pass, and do I need it?
The Gold Pass is a monthly subscription service that provides access to exclusive rewards, 200cc races, and special challenges. While it enhances the experience, it is not necessary to enjoy the core game. You can absolutely play Mario Kart Tour without it.
4. What happens when the Gold Pass free trial ends?
The paid subscription will begin automatically when the trial ends. Make sure to cancel if you don’t wish to continue paying. Subscriptions and purchases are managed through your device’s Play Store (Android) or iTunes & App Store (iOS).
5. Can I change my Nintendo Account after linking it to Mario Kart Tour?
You cannot change to a different Nintendo Account unless you delete your Mario Kart Tour save data and start a new game.
6. What are rubies used for in Mario Kart Tour?
Rubies are the in-game currency used to fire the “pipes”, which provide random drivers, karts, and gliders. You can earn rubies through gameplay or purchase them with real money.
7. Is Mario Kart Tour safe for kids?
Yes, Mario Kart Tour is generally safe for kids. Like other Mario Kart games, it features cartoony violence with no blood or gore. Parents should be aware of the in-app purchase options.
8. What if Mario Kart Tour doesn’t work on my phone?
Ensure your phone meets the minimum system requirements, including having OpenGL ES 3.2 or OpenGL ES 3.1+AEP GPU, and some devices that have OpenGL ES 3.0 GPU. Also, update the app to the latest version.
9. How do I update Mario Kart Tour?
Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and check for updates. You can also enable automatic updates in your device’s settings.
10. How do I earn more points in Mario Kart Tour?
Use drivers, karts, and gliders that are favored on a given course. Perform tricks by swiping up when you get air. Play in higher CCs (engine classes) for bonus points.
11. What do the letters (F, E, D, C, B, A, S) mean in Mario Kart Tour?
These letters indicate a player’s grade in races and battles, with F being the lowest and S being the highest. This represents a player’s skill level.
12. Why was Mario Kart Tour banned in Belgium?
In Belgium, games such as Mario Kart Tour, and others, have been banned due to the usage of loot boxes (which constitute gambling under the country’s existing laws) and their equivalents.
13. Can I play Mario Kart Tour locally with friends?
Yes, you can race against up to seven other players, whether they’re registered as in-game friends, nearby, or scattered around the world.
14. How long will Mario Kart Tour last?
Mario Kart Tour is definitely not shutting down before 2025. There’s zero evidence that Tour is shutting down anytime soon.
15. Why is Nintendo online not free?
Nintendo decided to charge for the online service because it is “concerned with with customer satisfaction,” as Nintendo will be “maintaining the online service and providing new services that we …”
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