Following a successful launch in Japan and the UK, the Mario Kart Arcade GP VR experience is now on its way to the United States. Bandai Namco and HTC will bring the immersive Mario Kart game to the new “VR Zone Portal” in Washington, D.C.
Mario Kart VR allows four players to hop into specially designed karts and race through the Mushroom Kingdom as Mario, Luigi, Peach and Yoshi. It’s powered by the HTC Vive VR system, and features “industry-leading graphics” along with all the usual items you would find in a Mario Kart game.
Bandai Namco’s US sales boss Steve Ignarski expects the game to be well-received locally:
The launches in Japan and the U.K. brought great success, and we hope to follow suit in Washington, D.C. Mario Kart VR is a long-awaited title, and we have no doubt it will be well-received in the states, due to its incredible, immersive game-play and outstanding equipment from HTC Vive.
The VR Zone Portal is part of Bandai Namco’s arcade division. The aim is to make VR more accessible to the public. Mario Kart VR was built by Bandai Namco, previously known for working on the Mario Kart Arcade series. The zone will run for six months in Union Station in Washington D.C. and will then pack up and move on.
Below is a video of Mario Kart VR in action, courtesy of Simon Davidian:
Will you be heading to the VR Zone Portal featuring Mario Kart when it arrives in Washington? Have you already been lucky enough to play the VR version of Mario Kart? Are you sold on VR yet? Tell us below.