Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
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
SeriesMario Kart
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch
Release
  • WW: October 16, 2020
Genre(s)Kart racing, augmented reality
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a 2020 kart 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 published by Nintendo released on October 16, 2020 for the Nintendo Switch. The toy radio-controlled cars race around the player's home, streaming video from the onboard camera in the karts into the video game.[1] It received favorable reviews with 1.73 million units sold worldwide as of December 31, 2022.

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 has the player race 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 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.[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

The game received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[20] 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.[28] It was nominated for the category of Best Family at The Game Awards 2020.[29] During the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awarded Mario Kart Live with "Racing Game of the Year", along with nominations for "Immersive Reality Technical Achievement" and "Outstanding Technical Achievement".[30]

As of December 2022, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit has sold 1.73 million units[31]

References

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  3. ^ Velazco, Chris (September 3, 2020). "Race tiny, real-life RC cars in 'Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit'". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  4. ^ Bishop, Rollin (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo Announces Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit". ComicBook. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  5. ^ Wood, Austin (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit uses AR toys to turn real life into a giant racing track". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  6. ^ Hashimoto, Kazuma (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live Home Circuit Will Bring the Race Track to Your Home". Siliconera. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
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  17. ^ McFerran, Damien (September 3, 2020). "Where To Pre-Order Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit On Nintendo Switch". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  18. ^ Barbosa, Alessandro (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Lets You Turn Your Living Room Into A Racetrack". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  19. ^ Szymkowski, Sean (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit turns your house into a digital race track". CNET. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit for Nintendo Switch Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
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  31. ^ 2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers). Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association. 2023. ISBN 978-4-902346-47-3.