REVIEW | Mario Kart Live Home Circuit (Switch)
Rolling Start
Right out of the box you’re welcomed by the RC kart and a set of cardboards that acts as gates. Once you’ve downloaded the free software for the game at the eShop, you are greeted by a short tutorial on how to operate the kart, using specials and setting up a race track with the included gates. These tutorials are quite easy to follow and set up.
Things to note with the RC kart is that while it doesn’t need an internet connection to work as this is handled solely by the Switch, you can only play within the 5-metre range before losing the connection if you drive off too far from your Switch. Also, regardless of which region you got it from (ours were from the Japanese version), the RC kart will sync up to your system with no issues.
While I’m not big into RC cars, but from our hands-on time with the kart, it has a sturdy quality build to it. The kart is quite detailed with Mario or Luigi looking ready for the race. It can definitely handle some minor bumps. The tyres are surprisingly hollow, hence have a bit of bounce to it. It also has a good weight to it. The kart utilises a rechargeable battery which you can plug the included USB-C cable into the side of the RC kart and into the Switch to recharge. In terms of driving the Kart, it is really responsive to your every movement.
Upon starting up, the game will tell you that this RC kart is an indoor game experience only. Despite the sturdy build, this toy can easily collect dust and debris from just driving around normally. You definitely don’t want to bring this outdoors as we'd rather not have the trouble of getting mud or coarse dirt stuck for fear it might just affect the overall performance and lifespan of the RC kart. Rugs and ramp are also a no go as the RC kart will get stuck and/or won’t have enough juice for the climb. So stick to driving flat smooth surfaces with the occasional small bumps. It goes without saying, having an environment that is dust-free and clean floor makes for a better game experience.
Off to the Races!
The gameplay is typical Mario Kart fare that we have all know and love from the music to frantic gameplay. You can play on the same custom track but the game unlocks all the levels each offering different environmental challenges.
When the AR graphics come to life, you are racing against the Koopalings with hazards popping up to hinder or give you an advantage to the race. There’s quite a lot of things happening on the screen, again it’s what you would expect from any Mario Kart games.
We played a bit of the multiplayer and though it was a hectic race, we can’t help but feel some of the missing modes in the games that would have added more replay value such as the Battle Modes. The most you would get is collecting coins so that you can unlock new karts, more gears and costumes.
Also, optional at best, if you’re like us and wanna take the immersion to the next level, the game is compatible with the Hori’s Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe. The wheel is automatically mapped out to the game by default control, so you only have to just plug it in and drive.
Some Rough Patches
Though its a minor gripe, don’t expect Full HD visual to display on your TV as the low-res quality of the camera is only good enough to stream the live footage of the race without blurring the field of view too much.
The main point of contention with this toy to life is the price. Clocking at a retail price of USD99.99 (BND148), it is a hefty purchase if you end up just playing single player. The main draw to any Mario Kart has always been the multiplayer aspect which can only be achieved when another player has their own set of Mario Kart Live Home Circuit and a Nintendo Switch. If you plan to get the wheel for that extra immersion, the cost can add up exponentially.
So if you’re gonna play it alone, racing against the AI can get frustrating due to rubber banding and the fact that they don’t really adhere to the real-world environments as they just plough through solid objects while leaving you in the dust.
We also have a few minor gripes such as trouble with the initial setup of connecting our kart to the QR code, spent like an hour or so, only to figure that it was most likely because the Kart wasn’t charged up enough. After that, it works smoothly.
Another minor gripe is the fact that you probably need a really big space for some race tracks. We managed to try out a 10-metre looping track and we able to squeeze a bit of fun, imagine having a bigger space to build an expansive track.
Which brings us to the one opinion that we are on the fence about whether this game is an instant recommendation or not, which is the track customisation. Depending on how motivated and creative/elaborate you are at the track creation mode, you can find there’s a lot of fun to be had on how you want your course to be laid out. However, it also means that you have the task of building one up every time when you set up a race. Essentially, you are limited by your own imagination.
Conclusion
Mario Kart Live Home Circuit delivers the fun and immersion of driving a real-life Mario Kart. It also offers a novel way of creating tracks, racing around the house, perfect for this WFH situation, and has most of the main gameplay that you would find in a Mario Kart game.
What we really like about the game is tried and true Mario Kart gameplay and the quality build of the RC kart, but not a big fan of the cost. As explained earlier, there are some shortcomings associated with the toy, mainly the pricing as well as the need for a bigger space to fully enjoy the experience (within the limited range, of course).
With all that aside, when the novelty wears off, Mario Kart Live Home Circuit is a great addition to the Mario Kart franchise as it retains the delight and excitement of a race with AR thrown into the mix. It’s a step in the right direction when it comes to keeping the franchise fresh, but it would have most likely benefited more from additional gameplay features like Battle Mode for more replay value and definitely at a lower entry cost.
REVIEW SCORE: 7.5/10
