Available from October 16, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit brings the typical races of the Nintendo series to their home, asking fans to create their ideal circuit in their living room. Literally. After spending some time challenging us in multiplayer with two karts (and after having reviewed it), we decided to give you some small and simple tips to consider on how to build your home circuit. Let's-A-Go!
Optimizing space
It may be a trivial consideration, but the space you have available in your room will be your biggest limitation in Mario Kart Live. Nintendo suggests playing in a space of 3x3 meters, but obviously among you there will be those with larger rooms or those who, more likely, can drive in smaller areas. Having more space at your disposal certainly offers more creative possibilities, but at the same time a limited area can stimulate the imagination, and online there are already videos of those who have created lively and interesting paths in a tiny living space. Whichever area you can play in, try to free up as much space as possible by removing chairs, backpacks and plants. If this is not possible (in the case of a table or a sofa), try to optimize the space by making the furnishings an integral part of the layout. The bed can become a gallery, the legs of a table can create a chicane, a plant transforms (in the game) into a large tree in the middle of a curve. Remember that to create an interesting circuit it is not the length or complexity of the route that is important, but the ability to create emotions while driving through one or two particular elements. In this regard, it is also essential that the surrounding environment is pleasant.
Beautifying the environment
An unforgettable track is also a beautiful track to look at. Admiring the living room from the perspective of a small kart has its charm, but the novelty effect is likely to fade very soon, requiring a small restyling. Use the objects you have at home to embellish the track: a plant, toys, your Amiibo collection, a LEGO set, but also pictures, postcards and books - possibly with a colored cover - can spruce up the sides of the circuit. Keep in mind that some objects can have a practical use within the path.
Using objects and creating obstacles
The radio-controlled car is not very suitable for climbing steep slopes but this does not mean that you can't create small bumps with a notebook, use cardboard boxes open at the sides to create dark tunnels, or use objects in the middle of the path to create obstacles. For example, a carpet or cloth can slightly slow down the speed of the kart, and in this regard you could create shortcuts or "slower" areas where, however, there are Object Cubes. Don't overdo it, and remember to test the circuit in Free Run mode so you can understand if a soft toy in the middle of the track actually makes a section of the track more interesting or if it is better to do without it.
Obstacles 2.0
Some objects can represent dynamic obstacles. Take for example some LEGO constructions, a Jenga tower or a ball. These are objects that are not fixed and that, if hit by the kart, can move, change or roll in the middle of the track, transforming it between one circuit and another and hindering the opponent (or perhaps yourself). Imagine a ball rolling along the path as if it were one of Cioccocanyon's rolling boulders in Mario Kart 64.
Light up the room well
Keep in mind the technical limitations of Mario Kart Live and the small radio-controlled kart. Make sure the room is well lit, both to make the image on the screen clearer and to allow the camera to correctly recognize the four cardboard doors. In this regard, it is good not to put a door immediately after a sharp curve: the camera may not have time to view it, and the risk is that your passage will not be read. Possibly do not trace the path too close to the walls, as they could "invade" the virtual circuit, leading you to accidentally hit the wall. Finally, remember that the radio controlled car cannot go too far from the console: Nintendo recommends staying within a radius of 5 meters, but if you have a large enough space, sit in the center of the track, so as to be able to create very long paths without the signal degrading . It is also recommended to temporarily turn off unnecessary Wi-Fi networks (such as that of your mobile phone or tablet), to prevent them from disturbing the wireless signal while you play.
The ideal track for speed
Obviously you will often want to play 200cc mode. At maximum speed, Mario and Luigi's karts are lightning bolts around the house, and driving them is a lot of fun. Yet the highest speed is not always the best for your track, and if you have an articulate circuit full of curves a 100cc race might be much better. Conversely, if you want to race at very high speeds, create a course where your karts can give their best, with long straights and few wide curves.
By playing the racing modes Mario Kart Live and by winning the different trophies you can unlock new environments for your circuits and customizations for the doors. Make sure to unlock all the objects, traps and turbos, and then place them on the track in a strategic way: a turbo immediately after a curve can help keep the speed of the race high, while a Chomp before the last corner could upset the outcome. of a challenge in the final moments. Speaking of the doors, be sure to hold them firmly by placing books or other heavy objects on the two side bases. This way you will avoid moving them (and upsetting the entire path) by hitting them by mistake. Of course, even moving a door with a kart on the last lap can be a way to create total delirium. As always, these are just ideas, but then it's up to you to decide whether to follow them or do the exact opposite: the important thing is that you give your imagination completely free rein.
