Here's our first look at Mario Kart Tour for smartphones Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Here's our first look at Mario Kart Tour for smartphones As questions over monetisation begin. News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Updated on 22 May 2019 61 comments Mario Kart Tour has just launched its Android beta test in Japan, giving us a first look at the game. Nintendo has kept its smartphone Mario Kart firmly under wraps - and, until now, we didn't know how close it would stick to the series' traditional formula. But from initial reports, it seems similar - albeit simplified. Your racer drives automatically - you just drag left or right to corner. A typical roster of familiar courses, items and characters are included. (Alas, there is no Birdo.) Screenshots and video are not supposed to be posted from the beta - but, of course, some are filtering online. Here's some gameplay, via ResetERA: To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings We've also been in the dark on Mario Kart Tour's monetisation. Mario Kart Tour is a free-to-play game, so in-game purchases were to be be expected. However, early reports suggest these may be more aggressive than we'd hoped for. Looks like Mario Kart Tour beta is pretty hardcore with regards to monetization. Multi-level gacha for drivers, karts and gliders. Rare drivers have advantages during races. Stamina system limits races available on an hourly basis.(Subject to change, this is a beta.)- Dr. Serkan Toto / Kantan Games Inc. (@serkantoto) May 22, 2019 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings Of course, this all comes with the caveat Mario Kart Tour is still in beta. Things may change for its full release. But with Nintendo being so secretive about the game up to this point, fans are concerned. It's interesting, too, after yesterday's news Nintendo will pull fellow smartphone games Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and Fire Emblem Heroes in Belgium - where loot boxes have been classed as gambling. Nintendo said previously that Mario Kart Tour's beta test will also roll out to the US. But there's been no mention of Europe - perhaps because of the Belgium situation. Yesterday, we wondered whether Nintendo might also pull its games from sale in the Netherlands, which has taken a similar stance to Belgium. It'll be interesting to see if Mario Kart Tour launches at all in either country. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store