Post by HLOCKE on Feb 23, 2005 20:15:59 GMT -5
Namco announced the Japanese arcade-bound Mario Kart Grand Prix, which will be powered by the Triforce system board - the same Namco/SEGA/Nintendo technology that powers the already-released F-Zero AX.
The battle-oriented kart racer has all the Mario Kart-esque features one would expect, with a few intriguing additions to the series:
Namcam2: This equipment takes a player’s picture and puts it above the cart in the middle of a race. This is used as a position marker for players on the course, so opponents can see who is driving which kart. Accessories can also be applied to each picture, a la Game Boy Camera-style.
Rubber band system: To keep players enjoying the game, this system keeps the mobility of the karts consistent.
Rewriteable card: This is a rewriteable magnetic card. The game’s progression, items, and so on can be recorded for continued play later.
Racing and Battle Modes: The classic Mario Kart modes are back!
Players and courses: The game will allow up to four units to link up with each other. Six karts will be competing for first on each track, with the usual Mario Kart roster added plus Pac-Man and Ms. Pac Man - for a default total of 11 racers. Each kart has one rider. In addition, the game will also feature brand-new courses similar in theme to the past Mario Kart games. Reports are also circulating that up to 24 different courses will be playable with 6 different, unlockable cups varying in difficulty.
Gameplay Tweaks: Straying away from the innovative two-person kart structure in Mario Kart: Double Dash, Mario Kart Arcade GP now includes the re-appearance of on-course coins. This is the first time the coins have re-appeared since Super Mario Kart (SNES) and Mario Kart: Advance Tour (GBA). In addition, it appears that the rewritable cards will be used for personal records and kart upgrades. Hence, each character are graced with the same default kart at first - further encouraging the upgrading of your kart as more races are won. The "jump" is back, and can be done by tapping break and accelerate at the same time. Also, players are given three initial items before the start of each race.
The multitude of pictures below [from today's AOU 2005 Amusement Expo in Japan - an annual Japanese Arcade-Game Trade Show] show off the arcade-console's outside architecture. They also show the game's Namcam2 system:
The four-linked arcade units.
The arcade-console up-close. Is that Pac-Man?
The Namcam2 system is seen here.
Kart upgrade screen.
Collecting coins in the beach course.
DK in the jungle.
Wario in a city atmosphere.
Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man confirmed playable.
Rainbow wha?
Racing rough.
Mario Kart Arcade GP is slated for a Fall 2005 release in Japan. No U.S. stateside release has been planned as of yet. However, considering that F-Zero AX eventually got released in North America, the chances are definitely favorable.
source: gcadvanced.com
The battle-oriented kart racer has all the Mario Kart-esque features one would expect, with a few intriguing additions to the series:
Namcam2: This equipment takes a player’s picture and puts it above the cart in the middle of a race. This is used as a position marker for players on the course, so opponents can see who is driving which kart. Accessories can also be applied to each picture, a la Game Boy Camera-style.
Rubber band system: To keep players enjoying the game, this system keeps the mobility of the karts consistent.
Rewriteable card: This is a rewriteable magnetic card. The game’s progression, items, and so on can be recorded for continued play later.
Racing and Battle Modes: The classic Mario Kart modes are back!
Players and courses: The game will allow up to four units to link up with each other. Six karts will be competing for first on each track, with the usual Mario Kart roster added plus Pac-Man and Ms. Pac Man - for a default total of 11 racers. Each kart has one rider. In addition, the game will also feature brand-new courses similar in theme to the past Mario Kart games. Reports are also circulating that up to 24 different courses will be playable with 6 different, unlockable cups varying in difficulty.
Gameplay Tweaks: Straying away from the innovative two-person kart structure in Mario Kart: Double Dash, Mario Kart Arcade GP now includes the re-appearance of on-course coins. This is the first time the coins have re-appeared since Super Mario Kart (SNES) and Mario Kart: Advance Tour (GBA). In addition, it appears that the rewritable cards will be used for personal records and kart upgrades. Hence, each character are graced with the same default kart at first - further encouraging the upgrading of your kart as more races are won. The "jump" is back, and can be done by tapping break and accelerate at the same time. Also, players are given three initial items before the start of each race.
The multitude of pictures below [from today's AOU 2005 Amusement Expo in Japan - an annual Japanese Arcade-Game Trade Show] show off the arcade-console's outside architecture. They also show the game's Namcam2 system:
The four-linked arcade units.
The arcade-console up-close. Is that Pac-Man?
The Namcam2 system is seen here.
Kart upgrade screen.
Collecting coins in the beach course.
DK in the jungle.
Wario in a city atmosphere.
Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man confirmed playable.
Rainbow wha?
Racing rough.
Mario Kart Arcade GP is slated for a Fall 2005 release in Japan. No U.S. stateside release has been planned as of yet. However, considering that F-Zero AX eventually got released in North America, the chances are definitely favorable.
source: gcadvanced.com
