You may not know it yet, but in your home lies the untapped potential for the greatest Mario Kart course to ever be graced by bananas, coins, Bullet Bills, or Fire Flowers.
With the Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit game for the Nintendo Switch system, you can race physical Mario and Luigi karts — each controlled by a Nintendo Switch system — through courses that you make with anything and everything in your home, as digital obstacles appear on your screen via mixed-reality technology.
The only requirement when creating a Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit course is to incorporate the four included, cardboard gates for the karts to drive through. That leaves a lot of room for creativity! This official video from Nintendo offers some great ideas, and we’ve listed even more tips below to show just how much you can do with Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit.
1. INCORPORATE THE LAYOUT OF THE ROOM
When making a Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit track, utilize the layout of the room that you’re in! For example, send the karts through the narrow space behind your couch or incorporate the natural turns created by walls, doorways, and pieces of furniture.
2. THINK OUTSIDE THE LIVING ROOM
Already gone racing around the living room? Why not get creative with your terrain by taking the action to a basement, garage, kitchen, bedroom, or hallway? Utilizing different spaces in the house can provide an interesting challenge as you work with varying amounts of space and pieces of furniture. Moving to a new space may also inspire you to use different household items in your track, from the pots and pans in the kitchen to the pillows from your bed. Playing Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit also doesn’t require an internet connection, so you can take the karts and Nintendo Switch systems with you when visiting a friend or relative’s home, to explore even more design possibilities!
3. INCLUDE PROPS!
Of course, all you really need to create a course is some open space. But you can instantly step up your track game by incorporating objects from around your home! That could include decorations, action figures, craft supplies, books, and so much more.
4. MAKE A PLAN
There certainly are no rules against winging it with a Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit track, but sometimes a bit of planning can go a long way! Consider mapping out your course idea and theme before you start building. This forethought may take some extra time, but the results can be awesome.
5. EXPAND YOUR TRACK!
What is Mario Kart race without fast turns, tunnels, and shortcuts? Using materials like cardboard, or even the right furniture, you can create a dynamic track that takes the karts over, under, and through different obstacles. This track from Nintendo offers great examples of how to make the most of your gates and household objects — from toys and art supplies to pillows and balloons!
6. RECREATE MARIO KART CLASSICS
Of course, when seeking design inspiration for your next Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit course, where better to look than the wealth of Mario Kart games that have come before it? Why not challenge yourself to make an at-home version of your favorite classic course? Grab some cow toys, and you’re well on your way to creating Moo Moo Meadows!
7. PAY HOMAGE TO THE SEASONS OR MAJOR HOLIDAYS
Still feeling a bit stumped for design inspiration? Consider the current season or upcoming major holidays for your next track! In this official Nintendo track, the team made a winter wonderland for Mario to speed through, complete with trees, sparking lights, and presents. For another great example of a seasonal video, check out this fall-themed track!
To get your own Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit set and start creating elaborate courses of your own, visit mklive.nintendo.com!
Note: Custom course materials are not included with Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. Additional games, systems, and karts are required for multiplayer mode, and systems and karts are sold separately. The game is available as a free download on Nintendo eShop.
