Mario Kart Tour adapts the series' racing for touchscreens. Players control their kart by steering with a finger, with options for manual or simplified drift. The game features vertical and horizontal courses designed for quick, portrait-mode play.

Gameplay revolves around limited-time tours, each offering new courses, drivers, and challenges. Players collect characters, karts, and gliders through a gacha-style system, which can provide competitive advantages. Races are short, typically lasting about two minutes, against AI opponents.