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Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

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Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
DeveloperVelan Studios
PublisherNintendo
DirectorDan Doptis
ProducersYosuke Tamori
Hiroshi Matsunaga
Toyokazu Nonaka
ProgrammerJan-Erik Steel
ComposerRyo Nagamatsu
SeriesMario Kart
EngineViper
PlatformNintendo Switch
Release
  • WW: October 16, 2020
GenresKart racing, augmented reality
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a 2020 mixed reality kart racing game developed by Velan Studios and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Players control toy radio-controlled cars which race around the player's home, streaming video from the onboard camera in the karts into the video game.[1] It received favorable reviews and sold 1.73 million units worldwide as of December 31, 2022.

Gameplay

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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

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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]

In October 2020 Surrogate.tv created an unofficial remote play version using fifteen Nintendo Switches and three sets of four karts, with the game physically located at a custom track in Finland.[20][21]

Reception

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The game received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[22] 44% of critics recommended the game, with a top critic average of 74/100, according to OpenCritic.[23] 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.[31] It was nominated for the category of Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2020.[32] 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".[33]

As of December 2022, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit has sold 1.73 million units.[34]

References

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  1. ↑ Webster, Andrew (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a Switch racer that uses RC cars". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  2. ↑ Skrebels, Joe (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Is a Brand New Mario Kart Game That Combines Toys and Nintendo Switch". IGN Nordic. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  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.
  7. ↑ Romano, Sal (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit announced for Switch". Gematsu. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  8. ↑ Nunneley, Stephany (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit coming this October". VG247. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  9. ↑ Denzer, TJ (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live Home Circuit toys let you build a physical track & play it on Switch in October". Shacknews. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  10. ↑ McFerran, Damien (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Uses Real RC Cars And Augmented Reality". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  11. ↑ Phillips, Tom (October 2, 2020). "Here's a look inside a Mario Kart Live prototype". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  12. ↑ Carpenter, Nicole (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is Mario Kart for the real world — and Nintendo Switch". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  13. ↑ Shea, Brian (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Lets You Play Mario Kart In Real Life". Game Informer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  14. ↑ McFerran, Damien (September 4, 2020). "Even At £100, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Doesn't Come With A Game Card". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  15. ↑ Cripe, Michael (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Drives into Your Living Room This October". The Escapist. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  16. ↑ Notis, Ari (September 3, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Turns Mario Kart Into An AR Game With Real Toys". Kotaku. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  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. ↑ Cook, Jeremy. "Mario Kart: Home Circuit, Now Playable on the Internet". Hackster.io. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  21. ↑ Hill, Ash (October 20, 2020). "Raspberry Pi Mario Kart Live: Play This IRL Mario Kart Track Online". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit for Nintendo Switch Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on June 12, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  23. 1 2 "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Reviews". OpenCritic. October 16, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  24. ↑ Wöbbeking, Jan (October 16, 2020). "Test zu Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit: "AR-Karts erobern die Wohnung"". 4Players.de. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  25. ↑ Shea, Brian (October 14, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review – An Occasional Wipeout". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  26. ↑ Watts, Steve (October 14, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review – Making Tracks". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  27. ↑ Garcia, Janet (October 14, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  28. ↑ Indee (October 16, 2020). "Test : Mario Kart Live : Un mariage avec la réalité augmentée terriblement accrocheur". Jeuxvideo.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  29. ↑ McFerrian, Damien (October 16, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Review (Switch)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  30. ↑ Kuchera, Ben (October 14, 2020). "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit review: your house is Mario's greatest challenge". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  31. ↑ Romano, Sal (October 22, 2020). "Famitsu Sales: 10/12/20 – 10/18/20". Gematsu. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  32. ↑ Tassi, Paul (December 11, 2020). "Here's The Game Awards 2020 Winners List With A Near-Total 'Last Of Us' Sweep". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  33. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  34. ↑ 2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers). Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association. 2023. ISBN 978-4-902346-47-3.
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