Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit | |
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Developer(s) | Velan Studios |
Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
Director(s) | Dan Doptis |
Producer(s) | Yosuke Tamori Hiroshi Matsunaga Toyokazu Nonaka |
Programmer(s) | Jan-Erik Steel |
Composer(s) | Ryo Nagamatsu |
Series | Mario Kart |
Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch |
Release |
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Genre(s) | Kart racing, augmented reality |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a 2020 racing mixed reality game. It is the fifteenth installment in the Mario Kart series, announced in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Super Mario franchise. It was developed by Velan Studios and released on October 16, 2020 for the Nintendo Switch. Its toy radio-controlled cars race around the player's house, streaming video from their onboard cameras into the video game.[1] It received favorable reviews with 1.27 million copies sold worldwide.
Gameplay[]
Players build racing playsets around the house. The radio controlled cars are equipped with video cameras,[2] controlled via the Nintendo Switch.[3] The track has many traditional Mario Kart items.[4] The game supports up to 4 players,[5] either human or AI.[6] The Grand Prix mode races the player against Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings,[7] and unlocks new customization options and costumes for the playable characters.[8] The level creation in Home Circuit is performed by placing guidance arrows along four gates to make checkpoints which advance the player through the five-lap race.[9]
Development[]
Velan Studios developed the mixed reality prototype for Home Circuit, and demonstrated it to Nintendo staff, who were "thrilled" with "its potential".[10] The game was primarily developed by Velan Studios, in collaboration with Nintendo EPD's Production Group No. 4, Nintendo European Research & Development and Nintendo PTD.[11]
Home Circuit was first revealed in a Nintendo Direct on September 3, 2020, to celebrate the Super Mario franchise's 35th anniversary,[12] where it was scheduled for release on October 16, 2020, with a launch price of US$99.99.[13][14] A toy set featuring Mario and another set featuring Luigi, including their respective drivers, four gates, arrow signs, and a charging cable,[15] were also announced shortly after the Direct,[16] and pre-orders became available shortly after.[17]
Velan Studios, stated that the controls were designed to be easy to understand, while remaining faithful to the Mario Kart series.[18][19]
Reception[]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 75/100[20] |
Publication | Score |
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4Players | 77/100[21] |
Game Informer | 7.5/10[22] |
GameSpot | 7/10[23] |
IGN | 7/10[24] |
Jeuxvideo.com | 16/20[25] |
Nintendo Life | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Polygon | Recommends[27] |
Soon after the game's reveal, Ollie Barder of Forbes praised the concept, saying he "practically jumped for joy" at the trailer.[28]
Metacritic rated the game 75/100, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Within its first week of release in Japan, 73,918 copies were sold, making it the best-selling retail game of the week in the country.[29]
It was nominated for the category of Best Family at The Game Awards 2020.[30]
References[]
- ^ Webster, Andrew (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a Switch racer that uses RC cars". The Verge. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Skrebels, Joe (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Is a Brand New Mario Kart Game That Combines Toys and Nintendo Switch". IGN Nordic. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Velazco, Chris (September 3, 2020). "Race tiny, real-life RC cars in 'Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit'". Engadget. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Bishop, Rollin (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo Announces Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit". ComicBook. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Wood, Austin (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit uses AR toys to turn real life into a giant racing track". GamesRadar+. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Hashimoto, Kazuma (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live Home Circuit Will Bring the Race Track to Your Home". Siliconera. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Romano, Sal (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit announced for Switch". Gematsu. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Nunneley, Stephany (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit coming this October". VG247. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
- ^ Denzer, TJ (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live Home Circuit toys let you build a physical track & play it on Switch in October". Shacknews. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ McFerran, Damien (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Uses Real RC Cars And Augmented Reality". Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Phillips, Tom (October 2, 2020). "Here's a look inside a Mario Kart Live prototype". Eurogamer. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Carpenter, Nicole (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is Mario Kart for the real world — and Nintendo Switch". Polygon. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Shea, Brian (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Lets You Play Mario Kart In Real Life". Game Informer. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ McFerran, Damien (September 4, 2020). "Even At £100, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Doesn't Come With A Game Card". Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Cripe, Michael (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Drives into Your Living Room This October". The Escapist. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Notis, Ari (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Turns Mario Kart Into An AR Game With Real Toys". Kotaku. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ McFerran, Damien (September 3, 2020). "Where To Pre-Order Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit On Nintendo Switch". Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Barbosa, Alessandro (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Lets You Turn Your Living Room Into A Racetrack". GameSpot. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Szymkowski, Sean (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit turns your house into a digital race track". CNET. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit for Nintendo Switch Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ Wöbbeking, Jan (October 16, 2020). "Test zu Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit: "AR-Karts erobern die Wohnung"". 4Players.de. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ Shea, Brian (October 14, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review – An Occasional Wipeout". Game Informer. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ Watts, Steve (October 14, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review – Making Tracks". GameSpot. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ Garcia, Janet (October 14, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review". IGN. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ Indee (October 16, 2020). "Test : Mario Kart Live : Un mariage avec la réalité augmentée terriblement accrocheur". Jeuxvideo.com. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ McFerrian, Damien (October 16, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review (Switch)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
- ^ Kuchera, Ben (October 14, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit review: your house is Mario's greatest challenge". Polygon. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ Barder, Ollie (September 4, 2020). "The Premise Behind 'Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit' Is Inspired Game Design Genius". Forbes. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Romano, Sal (October 22, 2020). "Famitsu Sales: 10/12/20 – 10/18/20". Gematsu. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ Tassi, Paul (December 11, 2020). "Here's The Game Awards 2020 Winners List With A Near-Total 'Last Of Us' Sweep". Forbes.
External links[]
- 2020 video games
- Mario Kart
- Mario racing games
- Nintendo Switch games
- Nintendo Switch-only games
- Nintendo toys
- Radio-controlled car racing video games
- Video games developed in the United States
- Toys-to-life games
- Augmented reality games
- Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary
- Nintendo Switch accessories