The first Mario Kart for smartphones has suffered a false start on launch day, with a server overload forcing many players offline.
Nintendo has taken its time bringing the popular series to mobile, having only released previous instalments on its dedicated consoles and handhelds.
Mario Kart Tour finally hit iOS and Android on Wednesday after a planned summer released was delayed, but users quickly complained of server issues that left them unable to play.
“The servers are experiencing heavy traffic,” an error message reads when the game is launched.
“Your log-in request will be processed in the order it was received.”
Nintendo said it is aware of the issues, but that the situation should continue to improve over the course of the day.
The high levels of interest in Mario Kart Tour should come as no surprise to the Japanese company, with series having sold more than 100 million copies worldwide to date.
It debuted on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System with Super Mario Kart in 1992 and peaked with Mario Kart Wii, which has sold more than 37 million copies since it released in 2008.
Mario Kart Tour is the first game in the series since Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which launched on the current Nintendo Switch console two years ago.
Unlike the console and handheld entries, Mario Kart Tour is free to play.
However, players can opt to spend a monthly subscription of $ 4. 99 a month to unlock various extra items, badges and a faster mode with a higher difficulty level.
Some observers have questioned that price point, with recent mobile subscription services from Apple and Google offering libraries of dozens of games and apps for the same amount.
Nintendo has previously been criticized for the amount of in-app purchases it offers in its smartphone games, which can tempt players into spending money on virtual items and currencies.
The company has enjoyed plenty of success on mobile, notably from augmented reality game Pokemon Go.
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