John
Mario Kart Arcade GP VR uses an HTC Vive headset to take the Mario Kart series to a whole new level.
With the assistance of VR technology, players are literally transported into the bucket seat of a racing cart for a blast around Bowser’s Castle. It’s colorful, it’s beautiful and it’s a little bit scary.
Check this out:
Incredible, right?
It should be said that although the visual experience is overwhelming, Mario Kart Arcade GP VR’s content is a watered-down version of the console editions. Players race around a selection of various Mario Kart levels rather than the full range. The reduced scope is also felt in the items department, as players can only collect three items rather than the wide variety afforded by its console counterpart. Still, Nintendo made sure it included the best of the bunch: the banana peel, the hammer and the green shell.
Rather than driving through the specially-marked boxes, these items are found floating above the cars, and players need to reach up and physically grab the items and throw them using a pair of sensors strapped to each wrist that registers the hand movements in-game. This will undoubtedly help to increase the immersion.
Here is the full trailer:
Unfortunately, as with all things related to Nintendo, the game is rather difficult to get hold of. It is currently exclusive to Bandai Namco’s VR Zone Arcade in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo though there is hope that a wider release is in the pipeline.
