When Even Nintendo Is Killing Games, You Know It’s Bad

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Currently, five of the nine mainline Mario Kart entries are playable on the Switch 2. The series’ foundational trilogy—Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, and Mario Kart: Super Circuit—is available via Nintendo Classics, with the GameCube’s beloved Mario Kart: Double Dash!! waiting in the wings. Naturally, modern mainstays like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart World remain readily accessible for purchase.

While the middle generation of the franchise—specifically Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii, and Mario Kart 7—lacks native Switch compatibility, physical copies remain widely available and affordable for those with the appropriate hardware.

Admittedly, one might question the utility of revisiting these older titles. Racing games often suffer from a steeper curve of obsolescence than action-RPGs or narrative-driven experiences; in this genre, technical polish and visual fidelity are often equated with quality. While one might harbor fond nostalgia for the precise handling of Super Mario Kart or the chaotic social atmosphere of Mario Kart 64, it is difficult to argue they compete with the sheer refinement of 8 Deluxe or World—especially given the latter’s extensive library of remastered classic tracks.

The virtue lies in the accessibility: the history of this monumental franchise has, until now, remained largely preserved. That era draws to a close on September 29, when Mario Kart Tour is shuttered, effectively erasing it from existence.

Image: Nintendo

I would posit that Mario Kart Tour, despite its 2019 debut, sits low on most players’ favorite lists. Few will lament its passing, yet its unique design serves as a significant historical artifact within the series. Its impending deletion is standard for the disposable, live-service model of mobile gaming, but seeing such a fate befall an internal Nintendo production feels jarring.

Nintendo software typically carries an aura of permanence. Whether it’s the tactile satisfaction of a physical cartridge, the company’s meticulous brand curation, or their propensity for repackaging their back catalog, Nintendo games are generally built to endure. When the company retired Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, they thoughtfully provided a paid, offline-capable version to preserve save files. It was a gesture that satisfied a devoted fanbase and aligned with Nintendo’s reputation for avoiding waste.

Regrettably, it seems unlikely a similar solution will be extended to Mario Kart Tour. While the company rarely finds itself in the crosshairs of preservationist groups like “Stop Killing Games,” this decision creates a notable blemish on their record. It is a disheartening development for a company that otherwise maintains such a stellar legacy of preservation, leaving us to wonder why this particular entry has been left to vanish. —Oli Welsh

eShop game of the week: Arcade Archives 2 Tekken

Moving from the frustration of lost media to a victory for preservation: Hamster Corporation continues its masterful work of emulating arcade classics. Their latest release on Switch 2 is Namco’s iconic 1995 fighter. While this is the original arcade cabinet version rather than the console port, it captures the raw, gritty energy of the mid-90s perfectly.

Nintendo Classics game of the week: Super Mario Kart

There is a persistent theory that your favorite Mario Kart is simply your first. For me, that was Super Mario Kart. Beyond the nostalgia, it remains a singular achievement—defined by its heavy, deliberate physics and technical depth that feels distinct from the item-heavy chaos of modern iterations. It is, quite simply, one of the most influential racing games ever conceived.

Nintendo Music track of the week: “Ground BGM (Country) (Super Mario World)” from Mario Kart World

I hope you’ll forgive another selection from Mario Kart World, but the sheer quality of these arrangements is difficult to ignore. With the soundtrack now ballooning to over 230 tracks, the variety of musical styles is staggering. I selected this bluegrass-inspired take on the Super Mario World theme as a nod to Shigeru Miyamoto’s well-documented affinity for the genre. (The complete Switchboard playlist can be found here.)