If you’ve ever wondered how far $200 can take you in a free-to-play mobile game, let me take you on a ride — Mario Kart Tour style. This is the racing game Nintendo brought to Android and iOS in 2019, turning one of their most iconic franchises into a gacha-heavy microtransaction maze. I dove headfirst into its ruby-fueled rabbit hole, and after burning through a hefty chunk of cash, here’s what I got… and what I didn’t.
The Promise of Rubies
Rubies are the core currency in Mario Kart Tour, and they don’t come cheap. They’re your ticket to firing off the game’s “pipes,” a glorified loot box system that drops characters, karts, and gliders at random. At $200, you’d expect to walk away with a garage full of high-end drivers and rare gear. Instead, what I got was a painful reminder of how stingy the system really is.
As one user (@Flamingpaper0) put it, “Spending $200 should be able to get you at least 99% of unlocks… and you’re about halfway there.” That statement couldn’t be more accurate. Despite shelling out the equivalent of a new Nintendo Switch (as @ZonixMaster pointed out), I still found myself grinding for favorites like Pauline and top-tier karts.
Pauline, the Elusive Icon
Speaking of Pauline — she’s become a meme in the community for how rarely she drops. One commenter joked, “nobody: nobody: pauline: paulineeeeeeee,” while another quipped, “Say the line, Bart! … paaaaaaaauuuuuliiiiiiiiiineeeeeeee.”
The Real Cost
It’s not just about the money. It’s about the time lost navigating endless transition screens, as @Ryan86me pointed out: “Even at 2x speed, the endless transition screens between items grind my gears intensely.” You’re not just paying for content — you’re paying with your patience.
Free-to-Play vs. Pay-to-Pray
Surprisingly, some players reported great experiences without spending a dime. “I’ve spent $0 and had a ton of fun,” said @thetangycrossing, highlighting a key frustration: Mario Kart Tour can be fun — but its monetization often feels like a paywall to truly enjoy it.
Others like @najellie9553 echoed a common sentiment: “I really don’t like the rubies system and not having all the characters unlocked.” This isn’t just about whales spending big — it’s about an entire game structure built around artificial scarcity.
Final Lap
So, what did $200 get me? A lot of disappointment, some decent gear, and a renewed appreciation for how much more generous other games can be. It’s ironic when you consider that for less than what I spent, I could’ve bought a full console and a real Mario Kart experience without timers, rubies, or Pauline hiding in a golden pipe.
Would I do it again? No.
Would I recommend it? Only if you’re a collector with cash to burn.
Otherwise… save your rubies — and your wallet.