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Popular Toys To Life Racer Goes Into Overdrive This September
Slot car racing has come a long way since I was a kid in the 1980s. Thanks to the efforts the robotics company Anki, now kids can control their cars with Apple or Android smartphones, fire weaponry to gain the upper hand during a race, and drive against several different A.I.s when their friends aren'A.It around. After a big holiday season last year that Anki says landed them the number two slot in the toy category on Amazon, the company is doubling down with an improved product.
Under the guidance of former Skylanders creative director Joby Otero, the Anki Overdrive hones the effort of its predecessor by allowing players to create custom tracks and retrofit their cars with new weapons and upgrades. You can play with up to four players, but if you're short on human drivers each car is outfitted with a microchip that allows it to compete on its own with several different racing strategies. Overdive comes with a full campaign to compete in against A.I. drivers.
The Anki Overdrive is slated to hit retailers on September 20. The $150 starter pack includes two cars and 10 track pieces that players can assemble to their liking thanks to their magnetic connectors. Additional cars and track pieces will be made available as well to expand your racing experience. The modular track also works with older Anki cars.
Our Take
The $150 price isn't cheap considering you also need to have a smartphone to play the game, but the promise of customizable tracks and a full game campaign may make this one of the highly desired luxury toys of the holiday season.
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