The release of the Wii in 2006 ushered in yet another golden age for Nintendo, with the motion-based, user-friendly console finding its way into the homes of millions across the globe. And, as the standard consolepack-in game wasWii Sports, many console owners were soon asked to create something called a “Mii,” a cute, sometimes terrifying little avatar that would represent the player in-game. It’s been a decade and a half since then, and Nintendo seemed to be steering away from implementing Miis in its games - that is until the recentMario Kart Tourannouncement that revealed Miis are coming to the game.
This newMario Kart Tourupdate brings Miis to the game, along with a range of costumes that give each racer a different ability. Before this announcement, fans were all but sure that Nintendo had started to give up on its iconic avatars, but it seems as though the age of Miis may not be over just yet.
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Nintendo Hasn’t Forgotten About Miis Just Yet
It’s been quite a while since Miis were properly included in a Nintendo game. While players can import their Miis intoSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate,Mario Golf: Super Rush, andMario Kart 8 Deluxe, amongst some other titles, Miis aren’t a core focus of the game, and are often ignored by many players.
The last game Nintendo released in whichMiis were a primary focus wasMiitopia, which released in May 2021 for the Nintendo Switch. However, this game was a port from the Nintendo 3DS, and not a fully fledged new title, suggesting to many that Miis were being cemented as a thing of the past.
With the recent announcement ofNintendo Switch Sportsduring Nintendo’s February Direct, this notion was only cemented further for some fans. The trailer showcased the main modes of the game, also showinga new type of cutesy Nintendo avatarcalled a “Sportsmate.” While these avatars share some basic similarities with Miis, the different art style really sets the two apart, confirming for many that Nintendo was starting to leave Miis behind.
But, with the announcement that Miis are heading toMario Kart Tour, Nintendo might not be ready to give up its infamous series of create-your-own characters just yet. This update may not suggest thatMiis are making a full comeback, but it might imply that Nintendo is willing to keep the little guys around for a bit longer.
What’s Included in the Mario Kart Tour Mii Update
Though it didn’t review very well upon its initial release,Mario Kart Tourquickly became one of Nintendo’s most successful mobile games, reaching 200 million downloads by April 2021, earning the company $200 million in revenue, and being beaten out only byFire Emblem Heroes. For those that don’t own a Switch,Mario Kart Touris a decent way of getting aMario Kartfix on the go, even despite its somewhat shallow mechanics.
Over the years,Mario Kart Tourhas received a plethora of updates, adding a slew of new tracks, carts, and racers. This latest update will see a whopping 10 new racers join the game, each one appearing as a Mii in a different themed costume. The first wave, which arrives on March 8, adds costumes for Mario, Peach, Luigi, Rosalina, anda few other Nintendo mainstays, along with the Bronze, Silver, and Gold racing suit costumes.
Each of the update’s costumes also gives the racer a themed item, such as Donkey Kong’s outfit giving the player a Giant Banana, and Toad’s giving the player a Triple Mushroom item. More costumes are heading to the game on March 22, giving Mii fans at least one more thing to look forward to.
Mario Kart Touris available on mobile.
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