Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/nintendo-partners-with-west-coast-customs-to-build-mario-karts/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/nintendo-partners-with-west-coast-customs-to-build-mario-karts/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/nintendo-partners-with-west-coast-customs-to-build-mario-karts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

West Coast Customs and Nintendo's real-life Mario Kart

Nintendo has taught millions of underage kids to drive, thanks to its immensely popular handheld Mario Kart video game. The driving routes are all virtual - thankfully - as they include not only unexpected sheer cliffs, but also driving under the water while evading baddies.

To bring part of Mario's make-believe world to life, Nintendo has partnered with West Coast Customs to create life-size models of Mario's Standard Kart and Luigi's Bumble V Kart. While the characters are forced to enjoy their rides in the hazardous Mushroom Kingdom, we checked them out in the (relative) safety of the Los Angeles Convention Center during today's LA Auto Show. Naturally, the West Coast Customs tie-in means that the karts' construction will be chronicled in an upcoming episode of the shop's reality television show.

The detail on the full-size working models is... well... interesting. Mario's kart appears to be front-wheel drive, with 18-inch wheels on the rear. Noted for its Super Glider option for cliff jumping, the attachment is mounted prominently overhead. Luigi's kart, decked-out with 16-inch wheels and disc brakes, is also front-wheel drive. It is available with a propeller to provide movement under water, but the accessory wasn't attached when we visited. If you want to read more about the vehicles and hear about the new Mario Kart 7 video game, check out the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts

Nintendo partners with West Coast Customs to build full-size Mario Karts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 la auto showconcept mario kartlala 2011la auto showluigiluigi bumble bee kartmariomario kartmario kart 7mario kart bumble beenintendonintendo mariowest coast customswest coast customs nintendoThu, 17 Nov 2011 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20109272/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/17/nintendo-partners-with-west-coast-customs-to-build-mario-karts/20109272/article-detail.xml 20109272 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/mario42_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/mario42.jpg <![CDATA[Real-life Mario Kart hits the streets of Japan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/15/real-life-mario-kart-hits-the-streets-of-japan/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/15/real-life-mario-kart-hits-the-streets-of-japan/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/15/real-life-mario-kart-hits-the-streets-of-japan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It may not be as hilarious or silly as Rémi Gaillard's real-life Mario Kart experiment, but the idea of dressing up as everyone's favorite Italian plumbers and hitting the streets in go-karts has made its way to Japan. The folks at Japanese website Cliccar donned their best Mario and Luigi costumes, hopped in a pair of go-karts and hit the streets, drawing huge crowds in the process.

The Cliccar folks raced street-legal X-carts, which cost around ¥379,800 (about $4,900 based on current exchange rates), and are capable of speeds up to 35 miles per hour, or even 50 mph when tuned properly.

Follow the jump for over three minutes of real-life Mario Kart action, Japanese style.

Continue reading Real-life Mario Kart hits the streets of Japan

Real-life Mario Kart hits the streets of Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanmario kartvideoSat, 15 Oct 2011 18:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20082130/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/15/real-life-mario-kart-hits-the-streets-of-japan/20082130/article-detail.xml 20082130 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/mariokart_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/mariokart.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Rémi's real-life Mario Kart is back!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/15/video-remis-real-life-mario-kart-is-back/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/15/video-remis-real-life-mario-kart-is-back/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/15/video-remis-real-life-mario-kart-is-back/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

remi gaillard creates real life version of mario kart
Itsa him... Rémi Gaillard, bringing Mario Kart into the real world - Click above to watch video after the jump

Rémi Gaillard is at it again. You might remember the last time the Frenchman took to his local streets in a go-kart, because he did it while dressed as the Nintendo character Mario. Gaillard has stocked up on more bananas and turtle shells in a new video where he gives the real world a taste of Mario Kart.

Since the banana is such an important tool on both the offensive and defensive side of Mario Kart driving tactics, Gaillard needs to keep a few of them handy. When he runs out he simply heads to the nearest grocery store... and proceeds to drive to the produce section.

His original video, posted after the jump, has been watched over 35 million times, and the sequel is already climbing into multiple millions of views as well. Click past the jump and keep an eye out for green shells and banana peels while watching both clips of Rémi Gaillard bringing Mario Kart to life.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Rémi's real-life Mario Kart is back!

Video: Rémi's real-life Mario Kart is back! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>go kartgo-kartmariomario kartnintendoreal+life+mario+kartreal-life mario kartreallifemariokartremi gaillardremi gaillard mario kartsuper mariovideoTue, 15 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19845219/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/15/video-remis-real-life-mario-kart-is-back/19845219/article-detail.xml 19845219 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/remi-mario-kart_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/remi-mario-kart.jpg <![CDATA[Video: GT5 karting vs Mario Kart 64]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/05/video-gt5-karting-vs-mario-kart-64/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/05/video-gt5-karting-vs-mario-kart-64/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/05/video-gt5-karting-vs-mario-kart-64/#commentsFiled under: ,

GT5 vs Mario Kart 64
Gran Turismo 5 vs... Mario Kart 64? Click above to watch video after the jump.

GT5's Nürburgring vs the real-life Nürburgring? Pfft. Please. The best side-by-side comparo yet involving Polyphony Digital's Playstation 3 opus comes from the gang at G4TV, who pit the new Gran Turismo 5 karting feature against the beloved classic, Mario Kart 64. Snap judgment: One of these looks (a lot) more fun than the other. Sorry, Yamauchi-san: Miamoto's legendary plumber wins this duel without even having to toss a single banana. Now, time to dust off that N64 in the garage...

Hit the jump to watch the video.

[Source: G4TV]

Continue reading Video: GT5 karting vs Mario Kart 64

Video: GT5 karting vs Mario Kart 64 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gran turismo 5gt5mario kartmario kart 64Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19746900/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/05/video-gt5-karting-vs-mario-kart-64/19746900/article-detail.xml 19746900 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/gt5vsmario_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/gt5vsmario.jpg <![CDATA[Anybody want to win a Mario themed VW Beetle?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/28/anybody-want-to-win-a-mario-themed-vw-beetle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/28/anybody-want-to-win-a-mario-themed-vw-beetle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/28/anybody-want-to-win-a-mario-themed-vw-beetle/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Mario Kart would continue its succession up the ranks of Nintendo gaming systems with the Wii version appearing on April 27. As we said before, we're more interested in realistic driving simulators, but when we found out that a real car would be given away during the promotional run-up to the game's release, we were slightly intrigued. That's until we found out what the vehicle actually is: a custom Mario themed Volkswagen Beetle. At least it's a convertible; albeit one with a horribly tacky paint job.

Winning any car is pretty darn cool, and after paying the requisite taxes on your winnings and paying for a new paint job (face it: it's a necessity), you could still sell the car for a profit. Or, if there really is somebody out there who actually wants to drive a brand-new VeeDub draped in Mario's clothing... well, you can just have fun with that.

[Source: Game via German Car Blog]

Anybody want to win a Mario themed VW Beetle? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mario kartmario themed beetlemario-kartmario-themed-beetleMarioKartMarioThemedBeetlenintendo wiinintendo-wiiNintendoWiivolkswagenvolkswagen beetlevolkswagen-beetleVolkswagenBeetlevwwiiFri, 28 Mar 2008 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1150139/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/28/anybody-want-to-win-a-mario-themed-vw-beetle/1150139/article-detail.xml 1150139 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/grandwii_mini_thumbnail.gif http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/grandwii_mini.gif <![CDATA[Coming April 27: Mario Kart for the Wii]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/coming-april-27-mario-kart-for-the-wii/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/coming-april-27-mario-kart-for-the-wii/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/coming-april-27-mario-kart-for-the-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,

Those of you who have been waiting anxiously for a racing game to pop up for the Nintendo Wii will get your wishes granted on April 27 of this year. While some of us may prefer our racing games to be a bit more realistic, we're sure that piloting Mario, Luigi and Yoshi using the included Wii Wheel will make for good entertainment. Joining 16 existing tracks from past Mario Kart releases will be 16 brand new tracks. Players who have a broadband internet connection at home will be able to play online with up to 11 other racers. Also new will be the availability to choose between the classic go karts or new motorcycles. Those who enjoy taking their frustration out on unsuspecting fictional cartoon characters will be able to choose from ten different battle arenas.

In all seriousness, the Mario Kart franchise has been an excellent seller for Nintendo, and we have no doubt that the new version for the Wii will be quite entertaining for the entire family.

[Source: G4 via Winding Road]

Coming April 27: Mario Kart for the Wii originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mario kartmario kart wiimario-kartmario-kart-wiiMarioKartMarioKartWiiwiiWed, 12 Mar 2008 19:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1138333/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/12/coming-april-27-mario-kart-for-the-wii/1138333/article-detail.xml 1138333 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/mariokartwii_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/mariokartwii.jpg -1 2