Releasing on 20th September for $149.99, Anki Overdrive aims to revolutionise slot car racing by combining it with a video-game.
Scalextrics has long been a popular family pasttime but largely remains the reserve of enthusiasts and older racers. Anki Overdrive's track clips together with magnets and can flex up and down surfaces.
The cars "read" the course as they go and keep on track. This leaves the four players to steer and trigger virtual weapons with an iOS or Android smartphone. You can even load computer opponents into the cars to battle against them if no one else is around.
The result is a fresh racing game. The action is firmly in the real world with physical cars but this is augmented by being able to upgrade performance and weapons on each car when you connect them to your online garage between races.
Along with the Starter Pack you can purchase a range of expansions to increase the combinations and add novelty jumps and cross-overs:
- Corner Kit – (2) 90 degree curved pieces
- Speed Kit – (2) straight track pieces
- Collision Kit – (1) 4-way intersection piece
- Launch Kit – (1) take off piece, (1) landing track and (3) trestle pieces to create the ultimate jump
- Rails Kit – (8) guard rails ensure the chaos of battle stays on the tracks
- Bank Turn Kit – (4) Race around corners at faster speeds and pull some serious G-forces.
- Elevation Kit – (4) riser pieces to elevate the battle field
There are a range of cars you can purchase too. Each has been designed by the person behind Minority Report and Tron vehicles in those Hollywood films:
- GUARDIAN - The car's Siren Core keeps the pursuit of victory going at full volume. Its piercing sonic attacks go right through armor and cause challengers to lose control.
- BIGBANG – This armor-plated heavyweight's Graviton Core creates massive shockwaves that send foes flying off course.
- SKULL – The car's Pirate Core lets it sail across the track at high speed while its cannon rips through enemy hulls.
- GROUNDSHOCK – Its PowerStation Core electrifies the track with split-second maneuvering and lightning-fast attacks. Don't get in its way.
- THERMO - Its Magma Core engine is old-school meets future. Using hyper-charged internal combustion, it not only burns up the track, it projects fire at anyone in range.
- NUKE - Its Fusion Core can be charged up to unleash ultra-high energy blasts that tear through normal shields. Its cool exterior masks an unstable explosive interior.
While this isn't the cheapest way to race cars around the living room carpet, the level of design and technology here make it well worth considering. Getting in early may be key though, last year the game sold out well before the Holiday season.
