Nintendo has confirmed that Mario Kart Tour will come to an end this September, closing the book on a mobile racer that stayed active for seven years.

In an official blog post, the company thanked players for supporting the game over its long run. Nintendo wrote, “We sincerely thank the many players who have loved and supported the game since service began so long ago,” before adding a simple farewell: “Thank you for playing Mario Kart Tour.”

A Longer Run Than Most Nintendo Mobile Games

Nintendo winding down smartphone titles is no longer unusual, but Mario Kart Tour managed to outlast many of the company’s other mobile efforts. Its lifespan alone made it stand out, and its influence stretched beyond phones as well, with content from the game contributing to track development for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Expansion Pass on Switch.

It was also, at least for a period, a major commercial success for Nintendo. That success, however, came with baggage.

From Gacha Controversy to a New Monetization Model

Early on, Mario Kart Tour drew criticism for using gacha-style mechanics tied to unlocking characters and karts. That approach quickly became one of the game’s most debated features, especially among players frustrated by the randomness attached to its rewards.

Nintendo eventually changed course. In 2022, the company moved away from that system and introduced a more traditional item shop, while also continuing to offer a subscription option.

What Happens Before Shutdown

As the end of service approaches, Nintendo has already started winding down the game’s paid systems. Sales of in-game currency have been halted, and automatic renewals for the Gold Pass subscription have also stopped.

For the time the game has left, Nintendo says all players will be able to access subscription-level benefits through the remainder of Mario Kart Tour’s lifespan.

No Offline Version Planned

One of the biggest disappointments for longtime players is that Mario Kart Tour will not receive an offline version after its servers go dark. Unlike Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, which is getting a standalone option after its online service ends, this mobile Mario Kart entry is simply stopping.

Nintendo states this clearly in a short FAQ: “An offline version is not scheduled for release.”

Nintendo’s Mobile Lineup Keeps Getting Smaller

With Mario Kart Tour leaving the field, Nintendo’s smartphone catalog becomes even more limited. Fire Emblem Heroes, Shadows, and Super Mario Run are still operating, while Pikmin Bloom remains active under a setup largely handled by Niantic, the studio best known for Pokémon Go.

Even so, Nintendo has not fully stepped away from mobile projects. Earlier this year, it released Pictonico!, an app built around turning photos from your camera roll into WarioWare-style minigames.

Mario Kart Tour may not be getting a final offline sendoff, but its seven-year run leaves behind a notable chapter in Nintendo’s mobile history—one marked by strong earnings, major design changes, and a surprising amount of crossover influence on the broader Mario Kart series.