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Mario Kart Tour multiplayer beta begins

If you're subscribed to £5/month Gold Pass.

Mario Kart Tour's multiplayer beta test is now available - but only if you have a subscription to the game's £5/month Gold Pass offering.

The PVP mode is available now and will last a week, until 27th December (thanks, Siliconera).

On the one hand, it makes sense Nintendo would test the game's multiplayer mode with a smaller section of the Mario Kart Tour audience. On the other, well, it's a feature many assumed would be in the game at launch - for everyone.

As its a beta, Nintendo has warned there may be crashes, disconnects and lag - and as your phone is connected online the whole time, it's worth remembering it'll probably be using up more battery than normal.

You can, of course, use your free trial of the Gold Pass right now and give it a go for free - just remember to cancel before the trial period ends if you do not wish to be charged.

Elsewhere in Mario Kart Tour, the game's recent Christmas update brought 3DS Rainbow Road, Reindeer Yoshi, and Party Pauline to the game, along with a strangely muted addition of Birdo.

Cover image for YouTube videoMario Kart Tour - Holiday Tour Trailer