There's no doubt that Mario Kart is one of the most popular, fun, and accessible game franchises around. Indeed, there are plenty of people out there who have probably played more of these madcap racing titles than the actual platformers, and most gamers are pretty familiar with the indignity of slipping on a banana peel, the terror a blue shell inspires, and the elation of getting to the finish line first.

Starting on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System way back in 1992, the series has since graced every subsequent Nintendo console and handheld with at least one installment. Not only that but now Nintendo has released a mobile game for phones: Mario Kart Tour.

The game features a whole roster of familiar Nintendo characters, such as the plumber brothers Mario and Luigi, as well as Princess Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, Toad, Wario, Donkey Kong, and many many more.

It also features new tracks based on real-world locations like New York City, Tokyo, and Paris, alongside fictional locales such as the Mushroom Kingdom and Yoshi's Island.

The game launched on iPhone and Android in September 2019, but without an important feature: multiplayer. However, Nintendo has just announced a big update, giving players the chance to test out the game's beta multiplayer mode and play against their friends, instead of CPU or a timer.

On Nintendo's official Twitter channel, the Japanese company stated: "The second multiplayer test is here! This time around, all players, including #MarioKartTour ... Gold Pass subscribers, can participate. Race your friends by tapping Menu, and then Multiplayer in-game."

However, if you want to use this new feature, you'll have to unlock at least one cup before heading to the menu and switching to multiplayer mode. Now get racing!

There's no doubt that Mario Kart is one of the most popular, fun, and accessible game franchises around. Indeed, there are plenty of people out there who have probably played more of these madcap racing titles than the actual platformers, and most gamers are pretty familiar with the indignity of slipping on a banana peel, the terror a blue shell inspires, and the elation of getting to the finish line first.

Starting on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System way back in 1992, the series has since graced every subsequent Nintendo console and handheld with at least one installment. Not only that but now Nintendo has released a mobile game for phones: Mario Kart Tour.

The game features a whole roster of familiar Nintendo characters, such as the plumber brothers Mario and Luigi, as well as Princess Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, Toad, Wario, Donkey Kong, and many many more.

It also features new tracks based on real-world locations like New York City, Tokyo, and Paris, alongside fictional locales such as the Mushroom Kingdom and Yoshi's Island.

The game launched on iPhone and Android in September 2019, but without an important feature: multiplayer. However, Nintendo has just announced a big update, giving players the chance to test out the game's beta multiplayer mode and play against their friends, instead of CPU or a timer.

On Nintendo's official Twitter channel, the Japanese company stated: "The second multiplayer test is here! This time around, all players, including #MarioKartTour ... Gold Pass subscribers, can participate. Race your friends by tapping Menu, and then Multiplayer in-game."

However, if you want to use this new feature, you'll have to unlock at least one cup before heading to the menu and switching to multiplayer mode. Now get racing!