Force Dynamics Goes Old School

When Force Dynamics reached into their magic hat, they pulled out a rabbit this time, folks. By reusing the 301, a previous generation of their driving simulator, FD found a cheap way to refresh interest in a classic Nintendo franchise. When I first read the news I said to myself: “Self, who are these guys kidding?” But after watching for three minutes and nineteen seconds, I was ten years old again. I was navigating a hopelessly elaborate labyrinth of peculiar traps, dynamic wheels, and pure imagination reminiscent of Rube Goldberg’s inventive genius.

And this is exactly what Force Dynamics did by implementing the 301 with Super Mario Kart for the SNES. The kart nudges. It pivots. It turns, shakes, and even jumps. Did we mention this all occurs in real-time? So once you’ve rolled your tongue back in your mouth – ogling the lush visuals that Mario Kart Wii has to offer and the laundry list of disclaimers that have already been read – feel free to let your imagination soar.

Still, the 301 has its limits. My main complaint: the movement of the 301 is a result of interaction with the controller and environment, meaning that buttons pressed in conjunction with the drivers, obstacles or the track have an impact on how the physical kart moves. This means that any environmental action, which coincides with in the game world to your 16-bit character will translate backwards. Collisions result in rigid movements, performing undulations that sometimes less than favorably mimic the on screen action. Missing from the demonstration were the zany Super Mario Kart weapons like the banana and shell. This makes me wonder if projectile physics had been programmed for the simulation. FD must know that our favorite plumber races dirty.

For what it’s worth, this experiment seems to be more than merely a pig with lipstick on. It offers gamers a rewarding sensory experience using a classic. But more than that, this simulation has potentially ignited a rash of designers set on customizing future mainstream racing titles. There is even a heartfelt message at the end of the video: “Thanks to Nintendo for the inspiration since 1985” (3:10). Perhaps Force Dynamics will be on the receiving end of those admirations for creativity, imagination, and innovation in years and for years to come.