After a pretty decent beta period that got a lot of praise from the players. Nintendo has finally fully released Mario Kart Tour for Android and iOS. It's a faithful recreation of the beloved Nintendo franchise - albeit completely stripped down.  

And... It is loaded with microtransactions and lottery mechanics. Joy!  

First off, there are 2 currencies in Mario Kart Tour. Coins, which you earn in game and can be used to purchase racers, karts, gliders, or single-use goodies like items. 

Then there is Rubies. "Rubies" are the pay to acquire currency in game. Rubies pretty much dominate every thing in this game. You can buy tickets, which can be used to re-roll an item you got from a box, to a special "Coin Rush mode" which is a mini-game that allows you to collect coins, to then spend on karts, gliders, items, etc. 

Most commonly though, Rubies are going to be spent on "Pipes". Pipes are basically loot boxes, or "surprise mechanics" as EA likes to call them. Pipes give you a random character, kart, or glider. 

I personally don't have an issue with any of these mechanics. It's a free to play mobile game.  

What I do take issue with is their subscription.

Yes, Mario Kart Tour has a monthly subscription. It's called "Gold Pass" and runs $4.99 a month. It provides you with 200cc racing (which is hilarious that this is locked behind a pay wall), gold challenges (which have better rewards than the normal challenges), and a chance (note "chance") to obtain "Gold Gifts", which have an increased drop chance on characters.

Oh! But Nintendo is giving us a free trail for 2 weeks. Thank you Nintendo! 

I understand that it's a mobile game, I understand that it needs to make money. But asking it's player base to shell out 5 bucks a month to unlock 200cc, and get a few extra's, is a little much. Even for Nintendo. 

I don't see anybody but the hardest of hardcore paying for this service. Especially with Apple Arcade around. 

Come on Nintendo. I expect better of you. You make it very hard to defend you when you try stuff like this. 

What are your thoughts? Do you plan on playing Mario Kart Tour? Are you going to sub to their Gold Pass? Let me know in the comments below. 

As always, this is James with Game Fix. Game on everybody!