Kart (Mario)

Description

Kart (Mario) is a radio-controlled kart containing a camera that transmits a live view of the player’s surroundings, which becomes the background of the game Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit while computer-generated racers, items, hazards, course decorations, and other effects are superimposed over the physical environment. The physical kart responds to events occurring in the software such as a mushroom causing a burst of speed or slowdowns when hit by a shell. It was released in a box set with a the augmented reality circuit makers but not the game itself, which was a digital download. The Kart was sold in both a Mario and Luigi variant, with the title supporting local multiplayer up four people, each requiring a separate Switch system and kart.

The game received generally favourable reviews, with particular praise for the accuracy of its augmented-reality effects, the responsiveness of the kart, and the novelty of making ordinary rooms into racecourses. Although the game was pitched and developed by Velan Studios the kart hardware was handled by Nintendo internally. Despite being a one-off product, it remains Nintendo’s biggest push into augmented reality who had toyed with the idea on their earlier handheld consoles.