IT After Hours: Mario Kart Goes Mobile

Welcome to the very first post of the IT After Hours series! This blog series will cover technology-related topics that we enjoy once our office closes and our academics are taken care of. From games and apps to entertainment technology advancements, this is your number one spot for all things innovative and fun!

The beloved game that brought us the joy of red turtle shells and the despair of Rainbow Road is now in your pocket. Mario Kart has been available for iOS pre-order for some time now, but the day of download has finally come. On Wednesday, September 25th at 2:00 a.m. Mario Kart Tour became available to mobile devices across the globe.

Getting Started

The app is free to play, but requires you to register a Nintendo account; either linking a current account or creating a new one. You are then introduced to your first character, kart, and glider by "shooting them from the pipe." This is a new mechanic similar to mystery boxes seen in other games, where players can pay with in game currency (available to earn or purchase) to receive a random item.

Controls

The steering mechanics are also different from other racing games; there is no joystick, or any buttons for that matter. The kart accelerates automatically, leaving the power-ups and steering to you. The steering is powered by moving your finger back and forth on the screen, and led by a shadowed arrow in front of the kart. The power-ups are then triggered by a simple tap of the screen. However, to aim your power up, let's say a banana peel (which typically is only left behind the kart,) simply swipe forward and the banana peel will be thrown in front of the kart.

Around The World

The game features a "tour" aspect that allows the player to compete in different tracks inspired by real cities. The cities will cycle every two weeks, allowing the players to race around the world. The first stop on the tour is New York, as shown below in the trailer.

The app has already taken off around campus, with many students already racing their way to the trophy. "It really brings me back to my childhood, me and my dad used to play all the time." Grant Buchanan, a sophomore at Emporia State remarked. A multiplayer option is coming soon, which will allow you to play and compete with friends and opponents of your choosing; but until then random racers and automated bots
are your only option.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant
Web & Digital Strategies