Mario Kart Tour
By Paul Semel,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fun if simple version of all-ages racing game.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this app.
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Mario Kart Tour
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
The best game!
Report this review
Mario kart tour is great!
Report this review
What’s It About?
In MARIO KART TOUR, the gaming's favorite plumber, his friends, family, and frenemies all engage in a series of go-kart races like they have in the previous Mario Kart games. Using simple touch controls, players have to not only navigate the twisty jump-filled tracks, but also use bombs, turtles, and banana peels to take out the competition. Unlike some racing games, this doesn't have a deep story for a single player campaign. It's just a quest to do well so you can unlock the next event and keep going.
Is It Any Good?
While this does a decent job of translating the arcade-driving series to mobile devices, it's doesn't satisfy the need for speed as well as other installments or other mobile driving games. Like other Mario Kart games, Mario Kart Tour has Mario, Donkey Kong, and their associates engaging in a series of go-kart races. Except that unlike any other go kart races you've played in games or real life, this one not only lets you race against the computer or other people, but it also lets you take them out by tossing turtles, bombs, and other items at them. This also has a large variety of twisty, jump-filled tracks — including some ones from earlier Mario Kart games -- and will even change them up every two weeks.
What sets this apart from other games in this series — aside from being playable on your phone or tablet, and thus having simplified touch controls, of course — is that it not only has tracks from its console counterparts, but new ones that are designed to look like wherever the tour is currently being held. That's why, for example, when you're racing in Manhattan, you get to speed past The Limelight on 6th Ave. Unfortunately, this game does hit some speed bumps. Not only does it awkwardly play in portrait mode, not landscape, but it also looks more like 2008's Mario Kart Wii than the more recent, and thus more detailed, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch. It also doesn't have a lot of pep when you're first starting out (though, in fairness, neither do real go-karts). But while that means there's better mobile racing games, and better Mart Karts, Mario Kart Tour is still a halfway decent way to get your motor runnin' when you can't sit on the couch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about budgeting your money. While you can buy coins you use to purchase new characters, etc., you can also earn these coins by playing, so how do you decide how much is okay to spend on a free game?
In Mario Kart Tour, no one wears a helmet or pads, even though they're constantly being knocked about, but does this seem safe to you?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: September 30, 2019
- Category: Racing Games
- Topics: Cars and Trucks
- Version: 1.0.1
- Minimum software requirements: Requires iOS 10.0 or later; Android 4.4 and up
- Last updated: May 31, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Download
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate