Mario Kart Tour: Mobile game has been released

After a bit of a delay, Mario Kart Tour mobile is launches today.

It was supposed to be available earlier this year but was delayed because it needed a few tweaks.

It's the first time the Mario Kart series will be available on mobile phones, although the initial launch hit a few snags with some players complaining that the app wouldn't load.

The Mario Kart Tour official Twitter posted the release information a few days ago.

The app is free, but there are in-app purchases.

What will players be able to do on the game?

Players will be able steer characters like Mario, Wario and Toad as they race karts through real-world locations such as Tokyo and other cities.

Kart characters will automatically drive forward, and turn when you drag your finger left and right on the screen.

Special in-game event courses will be available during specific time periods and take place every two weeks.

Some classic tracks, items and characters also return and items specific to each driver have also been introduced, like Diddy Kong's Banana Barrels and Peachette's Mushroom Cannon.

Drivers, karts and gliders can be earned by using Rubies, the game's in-game currency. Rubies can be earned in-game when unlocking cups, completing challenges, or players can buy them using real-world money.

Why has it taken so long?

We were meant to be able to get our hands on the game in March.

But in a tweet Nintendo said it would be delayed until summer.

In a statement the company said they'd delayed it "to improve the quality of the app and to expand the service content after delivery."