Mario Kart is taking a step into the world of immersive VR thanks to Bandai Namco’s spanking new VR Zone in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Mario Kart Arcade GP VR is among several VR "experiences" confirmed this week for the new venue. VR Zone is a "virtual reality arcade" powered by HTC's Vive headset, which works in conjunction with special chairs featuring physical controls like sticks and steering wheels.
As you can see in the footage above, motion-sensing devices on your arms allow you to physically "throw" items in the game. Development is being handled by Bandai Namco, which has produced other Mario Kart arcade titles in the past.
Thanks to jswhitfield8 for the tip!
[source denofgeek.com]
Comments (28)
I would like to try it
Looks extremely fun and strange lol
Awesome. If arcades could afford to run these, they could come back. I'd visit!
Not sure I would want to wear sweaty used VR headsets.
@Judgedean I went to Joypolis a while back and tried a few VR games there - they clearly wipe down everything between sessions, as the headsets felt good as new. Don't think it's worth worrying about.
Going back to Japan later this year and will absolutely be checking this out, sounds amazing!
C'mon on now - I'm sure VR is just meant to be a fad, it can't be that good...
Nintendo is doing vr...just not on Switch!
Pinkeye alert
They should have these in the U.S. Is it me or are the graphics in the arcade version better?
Um.. did i just see a VR Evangelion experience in there too?!?! 😍 starts saving for next trip to japan
.....so, we can be betches like Shinji-kun? Would rather do the G-Gundam piloting.
they don't even have cloud saves yet for the switch. i'll be a grandpa by the time this makes it to gaijin markets.
Um... I still concern about seizures if use VR for long time. I prefer 3rd person view rather 1st person view, because I had ever tried 1st person view from Portal Knights ps4 and I felt uncomfortable to see my surrounding.
When is Namco releasing this game for the PSVR?
Ah, well. Looks like I'll never be able to claim "I've played every Mario Kart ever" when this comes out.
Looks so darned awesome.
The people in that video are screaming entirely too much
Luigi's Mansion is up next huh?
@gcunit VR is in no way a fad. It's a new form of media that's kind of going to take the world by storm when it's more affordable. In fact, some soldiers are trained in Virtual Reality these days.
@Totaldude911 I know, I was joking.
Just imagine geting Luigi Death Stared in VR!
@Judgedean the headset does not press against your eyes directly. Thus, pinkeye cannot be transferred this way.
@Anti-Matter seizures are caused by rapidly flashing patterns. Think of the Pokemon Porygon episode. There is no increased risk in VR.
@Hikingguy I personally think Vr games are just as fun with a regular controller, so I guess that stuff isn't really necessary.
I'm rather excited about this.
I have a PSVR and it's a bit underwhelming. resident Evil 7, farpoint and Driveclub are good but most are tech demos. I hope doom Vr and Skyrim Vr will be good though.
If Nintendo makes a headset for switch like mobile phones and makes MK8, Metroid and F Zero Vr I will be a happy man.
Looks great!
@Hikingguy I didn't mean the experience would be the same, but I mean the basic controls could be replicated with a regular controller.
Take, for example, Farpoint. Sony recommends using an Aim controller so it feels like holding a gun, but the game can be played perfectly fine with a controller, although the light gun will provide a more immersive experience.
As for seizures, yes, they can be triggered by more than flashing lights and rapidly moving patterns, but I don't think there is an increased chance with VR vs normal games. I've read some medical articles about VR but I haven't come across one saying there is an increased chance of seizures.
I agree completely that VR's biggest problem is motion sickness. I gave my PSVR for my friend to have a go, he couldn't go past an hour in Resi 7. Thus, games like Farpoint have to be designed so that enemies only appear in front of you and have very basic A.I. and tactics. Even with that some people still have motion sickness, and they can't play VR even if they want to, for the simple fact they just can't take it.
Nintendo just need to do this already. The Switch is perfect for it and would require no extra's.
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