Nintendo’s Mario takes driving seat in race for mobile hit

Legendary gaming brand: The Japanese firm is known for cartoon-like games that eschew the realistic violence and gore found in Western rival titles. — Reuters

TOKYO: Nintendo Co Ltd is set to bring one of its most successful franchises to mobile for the first time on Wednesday with the global launch of Mario Kart Tour, in a test of the gaming firm’s strategy to drive growth beyond consoles.

Mario Kart Tour will feature gameplay familiar to longtime Nintendo fans but with controls optimised for mobile devices.