Mario Kart VR Impressions

Last year, Mario Kart dabbled in the realm of virtual reality (VR) through a Tokyo arcade with Mario Kart Arcade GP VR, developed by Bandai Namco.  For those curious and eager to try such an experience state side, you're in luck as VR Zone arcades is now bringing several VR experiences to the US, including the much abuzz Mario Kart.  Their first venue is setup at Washington DC at Union Station, open until March 2019.  Unable to contain my intrigued interest at what the world of Nintendo can bring to VR, I went and partook in this experience this past week.  For those unable to reach this destination or just want a preview of the experience before diving into such themselves, allow me to share my thoughts and impressions on Mario Kart in VR.

First, a quick foreword before we get into the finer details - This version of Mario Kart is based off Bandai Namco's other Mario Kart GP arcade games.  While it bears some similarities to the Mario Kart core franchise, it definitely has a different feel to it, more akin to other arcade racers and less of the smooth drifting you may accustomed to in Mario Kart.  And there's hammers.  Bowser is ginormous.  Yea, it's all a bit odd.  That said, being in VR is an incredible boon to this quirky arcade version of Mario Kart.

The station is setup with 4 Mario Kart rigs in which to have 4 players race against each other together.  Each player is given a disposable face mask to keep the Vive VR sets sweat-free, and is hooked up with two hand sensors, a headset for some good old fashioned trash talking, and placed in a kart with a steering wheel and two pedals.  Even before the race begins, it's a moment of awe and wonder sitting in your kart and beholding full immersion in the mushroom kingdom, looking around at crowds of waving Toads and colorful confetti.  These distracting and joyful sights serve as the perfect setup to a humorous bit where Bowser and Wario then startle your attention as they literally shove your kart and cheat their ways to the starting line.  And so begins the race.

That moment when towering Piranha Plants all turn their attention to you and you have to steer for your life.

There is quite a rush to be felt as your kart rumbles to life and you feel the wind rush by as you launch off jumps and ramps alike.  Many classic Mario baddies like Piranha Plants and Whomps have been enlarged to dramatic proportions, the effect of which is felt all the more in VR as they loom above you, literally requiring you to look up to see them all.  Items drift about on floating balloons, to which players will reach out their hands in attempts to grab and toss at opponents.  It all feels a bit chaotic and imprecise, but the frenzy of it all is enjoyable all the same.  Getting hit by obstacles or items causes the kart and rider to spin out, though your view is always kept looking forward, which can leave a bit of a jarring feeling while in VR.  Players will race across many a variety of venues, from the Mushroom Kingdom to Bowser's Keep and Airships and more, though they are kept fairly linear with no branching paths or crazy turns.  The whole experience feels decently long and exhilarating, but in actuality it only clocks in under 3 minutes.  I didn't mind personally though as by the end of the race, I felt a bit lightheaded actually, perhaps from facing a bombardment of shells come the final stretch of the finish line.

You can't help but smile when being surrounded by giant toadstools and beanstalks in a way only Nintendo could craft.

There are two other VR games to be found at this Union Station VR Zone if interested: Argyle Shift, a mech shooter with some not so subtle anime fan service, and Ski Rodeo, a mountain skiing game as the name should imply.  As my head had its fill of VR after Mario Kart, I did not try these other 2 experiences.  For your reference, pricing was as follows: $10 for Mario Kart and $8 for the other 2 games, though players could receive $4 off if they had a group of four or were to try all 3 games.  It is certainly a little pricey considering what a such a short experience it was, but it still stands as a memorable and unique experience to be found that delivers quite a rush, especially among a group of rowdy friends.  And honestly, I don't see Mario Kart VR moving beyond an arcade experience, as I don't think I could handle more than a few races before needing to clear my head.  Enjoy it for the novelty that it is.