Mario Kart Live’s developer says its toy kart ‘is basically a mini-console on wheels’
Velan Studios discusses the creation of its new toys-to-life project
Nintendo has released more details on its Mario Kart Live toys-to-life project and published a video detailing how it came about.
Announced last month as part of the Super Mario Bros. 35th anniversary celebrations, Mario Kart Live is an augmented reality game that has players controlling a toy kart with their Nintendo Switch.
The game was created by New York-based Velan Studios, the new company from the founders of Skylanders developer Vicarious Visions.
In a new video published on Friday, game developer Jan-Erik Steel said the toy kart used with Live was the result of a long period of collaboration between Velan and Nintendo.
“Throughout the project [Nintendo] always pushed us to be better game makers and the amount of support, collaboration and enthusiasm we got from Nintendo was really just amazing,” he said.
“In these early Velan prototypes the battery life just didn’t last that long – especially when we drove in the 150 or 200cc speed classes – but Nintendo’s hardware team was so committed to coming up with this amazing design, that really allowed for battery life to last much, much longer.
“There’s so much technology packed into this kart, it’s essentially a mini-console on wheels.”
According to Nintendo, Mario Kart Live will feature 24 different courses across eight Grand Prix. The courses will add different environmental themes, such as underwater, volcanic and retro, which introduce a variety of in-game hazards and features which affect the kart in real life.
Several items from the Mario Kart series are present, including banana skins, Bloopers, and Bullet Bills that enable the kart to surge around the course at high speed, steering itself.
Collecting coins in-game will also unlock customisation options, Nintendo said, and the game will also support four-player races and offer a steering assist option to help younger players.
In addition to Grand Prix mode, Mario Kart Live’s other modes include:
- Custom Race: This mode allows players to design the physical layout of the track and add hazards, items and more.
- Time Trial: Players create a track and then race to set the fastest time possible.
- Mirror Mode: This mode allows all of the Grand Prix tracks to be played in mirror image.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, which is available in a Mario Set or Luigi Set, launches on October 16 for $99.99 / £99.99.
