Velan Reveals An Early Prototype Of Its Mario Kart RC

The finished product is "essentially a mini-console on wheels"

by Liam Doolan Fri 2nd Oct 2020

Nintendo has released a developer interview video featuring Velan Studios, the team behind Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit.

While the entire thing is worth watching, one of the highlights would have to be a look at one of the prototype karts. Here it is, along with some extra insight from lead programmer Jan-Erik Steel.

"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."

And here's the final product:

"There's so much technology packed into this kart, it's essentially a mini-console on wheels."

Will you be giving Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit a go when it arrives on 16th October? Start your engines in the comments.

Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. He's also got a soft spot for Sonic the Hedgehog.

1
Benjamin_K
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

Have to say, the fact that the karts sport this much brilliant small-scale tech ups my interest in this unexpectedly hands-on new Mario Kart...

2
WaitroseDad64
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

My kids and I are all over this. We're now waiting patiently for Luigi to arrive and race in our living room. I just hope it plays as well as it looks!

3
abdias
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

Awesome toy for kids!!! On side note, It will be the first Mario Kart game where you can't drift.

4
mazzel
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

@abdias according to this article and video, you actually can: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/first_impressions_mario_kart_live_home_circuit

It's just not shown how it works...

5
1ofUs
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

Indy 500 but its mario kart live hc

6
EmirParkreiner
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

@mazzel @abdias
Yea, i also heard from a video preview from another website that drifting is supposed to be in the game, but it works a bit differently.

7
abdias
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

@EmirParkreiner just guessing here, but maybe it drifts in game only, then throw the boost in real life.

Anyway, if you think about it, it will be the most realistic physics for a racing video game ever, because it indeed use the real world physics. I think it is insane.

8
EmirParkreiner
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

@abdias
Yea, the whole game looks really cool now that we've seen more of it.
The one big problem i currently have with the game is the lack of splitscreen. This is exactly the type of game my girlfriend would love to play wth me, but we only have one Switch in the household.

Another thing i'm mildly concerned about it that i'd rather play as someone else then Mario or Luigi, but i'm pretty sure that if the game is even moderately successful, Nintendo will release more Karts.

9
stevenw45
Fri 2nd Oct 2020

i saw a Mario RC Karts at a store back in August before Mario Kart Live was announced, i didn't really pay full attention to the details of the Kart. for all knew, it could have been the Mario Kart Live one...lol but it wasn't.