Force Dynamics 301 driving simulator takes on Super Mario Kart

While most of the cool kids are off whizzing around courses in Mario Kart Wii, the gurus at Force Dynamics are reminiscing about the one that started it all. Apparently the firm has tweaked its 301 motion platform to actually control the kart in the SNES hit, and the rider's chair even leaps up along with Mario, Peach or any other jumping character you choose. Sure, it's missing those absolutely brain-melting Wii graphics (but not by much, if you catch our drift), but we'd probably take a ride in this over an hour with the Wii Wheel any day. Check out the full video waiting after the break.

[Taz @ Apr 28th 2008 4:20PM]

Looks cool, but I think I would get motion sick..

[bigdaddyjosh @ Apr 28th 2008 5:54PM]

Now, how about some classic F-Zero?

[Zach @ Apr 28th 2008 6:36PM]

mhm, hell yeah! i have a rom of that (and some other stuff..) actually and you just made me want to play SO bad..

[fanthem @ Apr 28th 2008 4:21PM]

Yeah, nothing says driving simulation like flying mushrooms and bananas.

[Seung-Hwan @ Apr 28th 2008 4:22PM]

Well, I suppose it won't actually help you win games, or the driver just sucks.

[Low Ranked @ Apr 28th 2008 4:22PM]

"But we're releasing this video anyway."

At least they have a sense of humor.

[TimeyWimeyStuff @ Apr 28th 2008 4:27PM]

Why not Mario Kart Wii or GC?

[Syntax Error @ Apr 28th 2008 6:30PM]

It's all about the old school.

[stefan @ Apr 28th 2008 4:28PM]

Yes, since it is SNES it WILL play Doom.

[anonymouspimp @ Apr 28th 2008 4:34PM]

I don't know... maybe this just brings me back to a happy time in my life (drunken college years), but in my opinion, this is friggin' awesome.

[Neeko @ Apr 28th 2008 4:37PM]

OMG.. this guys sucks...I played this game so much when i was younger my eyes would hurt.. They need to install these in a dave & busters and id sit there and challenge any player to beat me..

You DOUCHEBAG move but whatever...

imagine if you have 4 of these things lined up to play against your friends. now that would be awesome..

if only i could find a Wii to buy.. id buy it just to play the new Mario Kart.. Ahh the memories of playing SNES for hours before i knew how great and horrible women were.

[YAOMTC @ Apr 28th 2008 5:18PM]

Either he is really bad at SMK, or the simulator REALLY throws him off.

From the looks of it, I'd say he didn't know he could drift with R. Or release the accelerator (B) for turns.

I want to play against him, with me inside the simulator and him just sitting there. I bet that would make for a nice handicap.

[modified @ Apr 28th 2008 5:20PM]

Doesn't look as if the simulator syncs up properly with the actions in game.

[Jeff @ Apr 28th 2008 5:45PM]

it looks like it does pretty well to me....

[larrymayster @ Apr 28th 2008 5:50PM]

actually it does, it's using gravity to mimic the accelerations the car is undergoing. You turn left and it tilts right pushing you to the left like in a real car.

[larrymayster @ Apr 28th 2008 5:52PM]

err, pushes you to the right rather. Oops.

[Jhongerkong @ Apr 28th 2008 5:25PM]

Hurr you guys made a wii joke about how its graphics arent as good as other systems. That was so funny I forgot to laugh.

[Jeff @ Apr 28th 2008 5:45PM]

i wonder if the screen should be moving with him, or static like it is...

guess i'd have to sit in it to know. - and i'd like to. :)

[kyle allen @ Apr 28th 2008 7:02PM]

does the chair spin when u hit a banana?

[nathan.wong @ Apr 28th 2008 7:41PM]

Why did they say Mario Kart "started it all." Started what all? Racing games? I don't think so. I remember a stand up arcade game where there were different tracks and we were able to race against others with real steering wheels. Then there was Pole Position by Atari for the ultimate racing experience. For night driving there was Night Driver and for those sadistic people there was Death Race where you're in an arena and your goal was to run over as many people as you can (watch them turn to tombstones). So Mario Kart is almost like 5 or 6th generation racing. :-)

[mike.d.morrissey @ Apr 28th 2008 7:58PM]

Uh, it "started it all" because it's the first Mario Kart game in the series. If you read the article you'd see that first the author references the latest game in the series, then makes remarks about how this one started it all. Your reading comprehension needs a little work.

PS this guy is the worst mario kart player ever

[miffe @ Apr 28th 2008 8:50PM]

duh... guys... he's not the worst SMK player, he was doing this on purpose to show off the reactions to the different surfaces the machine mimics... like the mole, the rubble on the side of the track, the "spinning" (which it doesn't quite do) and the jumping. When it goes off track I must imagine it vibrates quite a bit.

Just a hint: Think before you post ;)

[Steffen Jobbs @ Apr 28th 2008 9:23PM]

Methinks he should learn how to drive before using some stupid overpriced simulator. All that useless motion isn't going to do a thing for improving times. Besides it's using up precious electricity. What a waste.

[tekdroid @ Apr 29th 2008 7:18AM]

a great promo video for the company and what it does, which is its intended purpose, I reckon. And does it entertainingly.

Good video. Great use of electricity (and smarts) :)

[joshky @ Apr 28th 2008 10:52PM]

wow...nice ride...though they should've choose the gold of mariokart: mariokart 64!

[Adam Zey @ Apr 29th 2008 4:08PM]

This is perhaps the most awesome demonstration of driving simulation technology I have ever seen.

And watching it just makes me want to try it...

[tekdroid @ Apr 29th 2008 7:16AM]

rFactor, Live For Speed and Richard Burns rally getting credit at the end. Unique games and very nice to see them get some credit publically :)