Is Mario Kart free on Nintendo Switch?

No, the main Mario Kart game on the Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, requires a paid purchase. However, you can access online multiplayer and some Mario Kart content for free under certain conditions. Let me elaborate.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the flagship Mario Kart game on Nintendo Switch, released in 2017. It builds on Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U, including all original tracks, characters, karts and the revamped Battle Mode. With excellent graphics, tight controls and chaotic local/online multiplayer, it‘s the definitive Mario Kart package.

However, MK8 Deluxe carries a premium price tag. The base game costs $59.99 physically or digitally. Compared to other Switch games, this puts Mario Kart on the pricier side:

Recently, MK8 Deluxe also received a major Booster Course Pass DLC expansion adding 48 remastered tracks in waves through 2023. Accessing this does require the core MK8D game.

So in its current state, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has a significant cost you won‘t be able to avoid.

Mario Kart Tour

If you want a truly free Mario Kart option, check out Mario Kart Tour on mobile devices. Developed for Android and iOS, Mario Kart Tour lets you enjoy simplified kart racing on-the-go without paying.

As a more casual experience streamlined for mobile, expect features like:

• Tap controls instead of steering
• Races under 2 minutes
• Many familiar characters and some new ones

Mario Kart Tour makes money from optional in-app purchases and its $4.99 Gold Pass subscription for bonuses. But you can still have plenty of fun without spending at all – making it the free alternative.

Online Multiplayer

While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe itself isn‘t free, keep in mind its online multiplayer component doesn‘t require any additional purchases.

You‘ll just need a:

• Nintendo Switch Online membership ($3.99/month individual or $19.99/year)
• Core MK8 Deluxe game

This lets you access online play, create tournaments, voice chat with friends, and engage Mario Kart‘s fan community.

Playing online does mean dealing with some lag at times. But the convenience of jumping into races and battling players worldwide keeps multiplayer hopping years later.

The Verdict? It‘s Complicated

So is Mario Kart fully free on Nintendo Switch? Technically no – even online play requires buying MK8 Deluxe and paying for the Switch Online service.

The only 100% free version is the simplified Mario Kart Tour mobile game.

Yet for many players, paying to enjoy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in its full glory is worth the premium price tag. With active online multiplayer and exciting new DLC tracks, it provides nearly endless replay value.

As a passionate MK gamer myself, I would absolutely recommend Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch if you can swing the $60. Considering the hundreds of hours of game time, it really does give you bang for your buck!

But for parents unwilling/unable to pay the price, at least kids can now enjoy a taste of Mario Kart for free on phones and tablets too. Nintendo made a smart move releasing Mario Kart Tour to make the franchise more accessible.

The series has room for both models!