Given Nintendo’s recent console strategy it’s difficult to imagine the firm making a serious play for a slice of the VR pie anytime soon.
However, that hasn’t stopped Bandai Namco creating a VR version of Mario Kart Arcade GP, which is now available on the HTC Vive headset.
Unfortunately, the game is exclusive to the VR Zone arcade in Shinjuku, Japan, meaning its pretty unlikely westerners will be playing any time soon (via UploadVR).
Related: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe review
Sure enough, it’s compatible with the wrist-worn Vive trackers that enable players to throw weapons at their opponents and, needless to say, there’s a kart gamers will be actually driving in too.
It is not clear whether Nintendo had much to do with the development of the VR experience, which was revealed in a new trailer for the Japanese arcade (above).
Remember, it was Bandai Namco who developed the original Mario Kart Arcade GP VR.
This looks like a VR port of the existing game, but whichever way you slice it, this is the first Nintendo IP to arrive in virtual reality.
Today’s news is completely separate from Nintendo’s E3 2017 events, which saw the firm announced Metroid Prime 4 and Rocket League for the Switch. We also got a closer look at Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild DLC
Which other Nintendo games would you like to see get a VR edition? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.