Nintendo Switch Online Coming This September, ‘Mario Kart’ Going Mobile & ‘Mario’ Film Confirmed

Nintendo had a profitable 2017, and they have plans to ensure their momentum will continue. On January 31, the Kyoto-based company casually made three announcements on social media. In case you missed them, here they are.

NINTENDO SWITCH NEWS: MARIO KART MOBILE & MARIO MOVIE

The first revelation pertained to the long-awaited and overdue Nintendo Switch Online program, which is now officially slated to start this September. The Switch’s online was formally intended to launch last fall, but it was delayed so Nintendo could continue to work on it.

As I noted in my Switch hardware review, its current online ecosystem is suffering from a dearth of features, so hopefully this upcoming paid service will improve that lacking facet.

Second, one of Nintendo’s biggest brands, Mario Kart, was confirmed to make an appearance on smartphones. Mario Kart Tour is planned for release sometime in this fiscal calendar year, meaning it should be available by the end of March 2019. Currently, very little information concerning the game is available, but more will come in time.

Since it began on the Super Nintendo in 1992, the Mario Kart series has appeared on nearly every Nintendo platform, with each entry becoming an evergreen release on its respective system. Every game in the series features a prolific roster of Nintendo mascots, from Rosalina to the main man himself. The Nintendo Switch scored Mario Kart 8 Deluxe last year, which should keep you busy until the smartphone app arrives.

Finally, the rumored Mario film will happen in collaboration with Illumination Entertainment. Nintendo guru and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto will co-produce the movie with Chris Meledandri.