Here's a piece of Mario Kart trivia: which Nintendo track is exclusive to the mobile game Mario Kart Tour?
It's Piranha Plant Pipeline, a thrilling waterslide-inspired course set inside the Mushroom Kingdom's iconic warp pipes, never featured in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch.
Mario Kart Tour boasts an extensive lineup of both classic and new tracks, many of which also appeared in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe via the Booster Course Pass. Tracks like Squeaky Clean Sprint, set partly in a bathroom, and Sky-High Sundae, integrated into Mario Kart World's open-world map on Switch 2, are notable examples.
For reasons unknown, Piranha Plant Pipeline never transitioned to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Due to Mario Kart Tour's rotating track schedule, it’s only occasionally available. Nintendo recently highlighted its return with a post on X/Twitter, and Nintendo Life reports this marks just the third time the track has been playable, and its first appearance in 2025.
"Welcome back, Piranha Plant Pipeline!" a fan shared. "We've missed you!"
To experience this rare Mario Kart track, players have until July 22 to race it before it’s shelved again in Nintendo’s content vault.
Will Piranha Plant Pipeline ever appear in another Mario Kart title? That likely hinges on Nintendo’s plans to keep Mario Kart World engaging in the years ahead, though the company remains tight-lipped. Fans speculate Nintendo will eventually reveal a content roadmap for its wildly popular Switch 2 launch title, but no details have surfaced on how the racer will evolve in the next generation.
The Pipe Tour kicks off today, featuring Piranha Plant Pipeline! #MarioKartTour pic.twitter.com/6X76J0X7w0
— Mario Kart Tour (@mariokarttourEN) July 9, 2025
Nintendo’s only significant update to Mario Kart World so far has been a controversial decision to reduce racing on traditional looped tracks in favor of open-world 'intermission tracks.'
Although Nintendo ceased new content updates for Mario Kart Tour in 2023, the game remains available on iPhone and Android. Launched in 2019, Mario Kart Tour generated millions for Nintendo, despite criticism of its initial gacha-style system for unlocking characters and karts, which was later discontinued.
Nintendo’s track record with mobile games is inconsistent, with titles like Miitomo, Dragalia Lost, and Dr. Mario World no longer available. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp’s free-to-play version was also discontinued, replaced by a premium paid version. If Mario Kart Tour is ever retired, Piranha Plant Pipeline could vanish permanently—so seize the chance to race it while it’s here.
