Hurricane_Chris
DDK
Mario Kart Arcade GP Homepage
I knew the game was coming but hadn't made it out to a game center for quite some time. This New Year holiday I went out and saw big signs advertizing that Mario Kart Arcade GP was out so decided to check it out.
The three arcades I saw that I saw all had the exact same setup. 4 units with pretty big monitors (not sure on size) all networked. The cabinets were pretty simple, steering wheel with item button in the middle, start button, brake and throttle. You start up your game and are prompted to insert your card or not ( i didnt have one so I selected no). You are then prompted to pick your character (everyone has different attributes and are characters from the Nintendo and Namco universe) The favorites are petty average in everything while others have more specialties. You are then prompted to take your picture (with something in the pick related to the character you selected).
After that it's time to race! Racing is fun and fast. Some stuff like the quick takeoff, and item usage is exactly the same as the MK console versions other stuff takes a little getting used to. I've never played MK with a Steering wheel so the drifting mechanics take a little getting used to. The various escapes from diferent attacks are also a little weird. Still its very fun and once you get used to it no problem.
The graphics are very nice. Models are nicely modelled, textured and animated. There are quite a few nice little details that reminded me of previous games and it was kinda neat seeing Mario work Namco's guys and vice versa. The tracks are also very nice looking although on the big screens the cabinets use they seemed a little .... I dunno empty. The sound and music are both very nice. Very familiar and appropriate for this type of game.
Playing this game by yourself may be fun ( I never played single player) but playing with 3 friends (even better after a nice lunch/dinner and a few drinks) is the way to go....
I wonder if with great games like Mario Kart Arcade GP, House of the Dead 4, Tekken 5DR and VF5 can start to turn around US arcades? I've been playing alot of online games lately but there is just something about making it out to an arcade with some friends after a night out that can't be matched in your own home...
*edit* added link to Namco's site...
I knew the game was coming but hadn't made it out to a game center for quite some time. This New Year holiday I went out and saw big signs advertizing that Mario Kart Arcade GP was out so decided to check it out.
The three arcades I saw that I saw all had the exact same setup. 4 units with pretty big monitors (not sure on size) all networked. The cabinets were pretty simple, steering wheel with item button in the middle, start button, brake and throttle. You start up your game and are prompted to insert your card or not ( i didnt have one so I selected no). You are then prompted to pick your character (everyone has different attributes and are characters from the Nintendo and Namco universe) The favorites are petty average in everything while others have more specialties. You are then prompted to take your picture (with something in the pick related to the character you selected).
After that it's time to race! Racing is fun and fast. Some stuff like the quick takeoff, and item usage is exactly the same as the MK console versions other stuff takes a little getting used to. I've never played MK with a Steering wheel so the drifting mechanics take a little getting used to. The various escapes from diferent attacks are also a little weird. Still its very fun and once you get used to it no problem.
The graphics are very nice. Models are nicely modelled, textured and animated. There are quite a few nice little details that reminded me of previous games and it was kinda neat seeing Mario work Namco's guys and vice versa. The tracks are also very nice looking although on the big screens the cabinets use they seemed a little .... I dunno empty. The sound and music are both very nice. Very familiar and appropriate for this type of game.
Playing this game by yourself may be fun ( I never played single player) but playing with 3 friends (even better after a nice lunch/dinner and a few drinks) is the way to go....
I wonder if with great games like Mario Kart Arcade GP, House of the Dead 4, Tekken 5DR and VF5 can start to turn around US arcades? I've been playing alot of online games lately but there is just something about making it out to an arcade with some friends after a night out that can't be matched in your own home...
*edit* added link to Namco's site...
