Mario is known as a family-friendly franchise, with most of its games being rated E for Everyone, but one title has recently had its age rating raised.
Mario Kart Tour is a free-to-play mobile game available on iOS and Android devices. Originally released in 2019, this was the first in the racing series that could be played on anything other than a Nintendo system. It allows users to download themed tours with different cups consisting of three courses and a bonus challenge.
Although Mario Kart Tour is rated 4+ on the app store in the US, it has recently been rerated as 18+ in Brazil. An official reason has not been provided by Nintendo. However, many are speculating that it has to do with the in-app purchases available in the game.
The Brazilian Advisory Rating system targets games that tempt younger audiences with loot boxes and other in-app purchases. Loot boxes are virtual items that grant players a random selection of digital goods, which can be purchased with real money.
When it was initially launched, Mario Kart Tour allowed users to spend money on randomized rewards like new drivers, karts, and gliders. However, since the items players received were completely random, they weren’t guaranteed good results, which is considered a form of gambling.
In 2022, Mario Kart Tour was updated to give players more control over the in-game items they received when spending real money on the game. The change allowed them to select exactly what they wanted to purchase without relying on luck.
However, Brazil’s rating system has recently targeted games that include loot boxes or other gambling-like mechanics. Some interpretations also suggest it could apply to play-by-appointment games, including titles that encourage players to keep returning regularly, like Animal Crossing or Pokémon GO.
