New Tracks Added To Super Mario Kart After 32 Years

Fun Fact: The U.S. Air Force created a supercomputer using PlayStation 3 consoles. In 2010, the U.S. Air Force built the Condor Cluster, a supercomputer composed of over 1,700 PlayStation 3 units. This system was capable of performing about 500 trillion calculations per second, making it one of the fastest computers in the world at the time, ranking around the 35th or 36th fastest globally. The project cost $2 million to build.

In today’s email:

• Super Mario Kart: Horizons - A Fan-Made Expansion Breathing New Life into a Classic

• Wipeout: The PS1 Classic That Revolutionized Racing Games

• Perfect Dark Reboot: A Stunning Reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024

SNES

Super Mario Kart: Horizons - A Fan-Made Expansion Breathing New Life into a Classic

In a jaw-dropping display of dedication and creativity, die-hard fans of the iconic Super Mario Kart have dropped a massive expansion for the beloved SNES game. Meet Super Mario Kart: Horizons, a fan-made ROM hack released 32 years after the original game hit our screens. And let me tell you, the gaming community is loving it.

A New Era for Super Mario Kart

This isn't just some minor tweak or a basic mod. Super Mario Kart: Horizons is a full-blown expansion, packing in a ton of fresh content that’ll have you reaching for your SNES controller. We’re talking 20 brand new tracks, designed to keep that classic charm while injecting new life and challenge into the game. These tracks are sure to keep you on your toes and glued to your screen.

Enhanced Content and Compatibility

But wait, there's more! Super Mario Kart: Horizons isn’t just about new tracks. This expansion is crafted to run on the original SNES hardware, so all you retro gaming purists can experience the new goodies on the platform you love. The devs have done an amazing job making sure the expansion feels just like the original, but with a modern twist that keeps things exciting.

Community Reception

The buzz around Super Mario Kart: Horizons has been off the charts. Gamers are raving about the expansion’s attention to detail, the killer new tracks, and how seamlessly it fits with the OG game. From Reddit to Threads, fans are hyped and sharing their excitement all over the place. It’s clear this project has struck a chord with the community.

Super Mario Kart: Horizons is proof of the enduring magic of Super Mario Kart and the passion of its fanbase. With new tracks and extra content, this fan-made expansion breathes fresh air into the classic game, giving both old-school fans and newbies a great reason to fire up their SNES. Whether you're a veteran racer or a new driver, Horizons is your ticket to revisiting the glory days of Super Mario Kart.

Ready to dive in? Super Mario Kart: Horizons is available as a ROM hack, so you can enjoy it on your original SNES hardware or through emulation. It’s time to rev up those engines and experience the magic all over again. Instructions here.

PS1

Wipeout: The PS1 Classic That Revolutionized Racing Games

When the original PlayStation dropped in 1995, it brought a slew of groundbreaking games that showed off the console's power. Among these, Wipeout stood out, not just as a game, but as a cultural phenomenon that redefined the racing genre and left an unforgettable mark on the gaming world.

A New Kind of Racing Game

Developed by Psygnosis, Wipeout whisked us away to the futuristic world of 2052, where players raced in the F3600 anti-gravity league. Picture this: sleek, high-speed hovercrafts zipping through intricate tracks packed with tight turns, jumps, and power-ups. Unlike your typical racing game, Wipeout spiced things up with a combat element, letting players use weapons to stall or destroy their opponents. Strategy and excitement in one epic package!

Technical and Artistic Achievements

Wipeout was a technical marvel back in the day. It was one of the first games to truly tap into the PlayStation's 3D power, delivering smooth, fast-paced gameplay with stylish visuals. The design was heavily influenced by Japanese culture and featured a futuristic aesthetic, thanks to a collab with The Designers Republic, a graphic design studio known for its edgy work in the music industry.

The Soundtrack: A Game-Changer

One of the most iconic parts of Wipeout was its killer soundtrack. Featuring tracks from big-name electronic artists like The Chemical Brothers, Leftfield, and Orbital, plus original jams by Tim Wright (aka CoLD SToRAGE), the music was a total game-changer. This wasn't your typical video game music; it was a professional dance music lineup that took the gaming experience to a whole new level and helped legitimize electronic music for a broader audience.

Critical Acclaim and Cultural Impact

When Wipeout hit the shelves, it was met with rave reviews. Critics loved its challenging gameplay, precise controls, and the groundbreaking use of music. Its stylish visuals and the exhilarating feel of high-speed races made it a standout. Sure, it had a steep learning curve and relied on track-based power-ups, but these quirks didn’t stop it from making a huge impact.

Wipeout did more than just shift gears in the racing genre—it helped transform video games into a mainstream form of entertainment. Its association with rave culture and cutting-edge design made it a symbol of coolness and innovation, paving the way for future games to incorporate licensed music. Titles like the FIFA series, which started using licensed tracks in FIFA 98, owe a lot to Wipeout.

Legacy and Sequels

The success of Wipeout led to a bunch of sequels, each building on the original's foundation. Wipeout 2097 (aka Wipeout XL in the US) dropped in 1996, fixing many of the original’s criticisms with better controls, new tracks, and more weapons. It was another hit, often considered one of the best racing games of its time.

Wipeout's influence stretches beyond its sequels. Its blend of high-speed racing, combat, and a killer soundtrack has inspired countless games and continues to be a benchmark in the racing genre. Even today, gamers fondly remember the original Wipeout for its contributions to both gaming and music culture.

Wipeout wasn't just a racing game; it was a trailblazer that redefined what video games could be. Its innovative gameplay, stylish design, and groundbreaking soundtrack set new standards for the industry, leaving a lasting legacy that still influences games today. For those who experienced it in 1995, Wipeout was a glimpse into the future of gaming, and its impact is still felt nearly three decades later.

XBOX

Perfect Dark Reboot: A Stunning Reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024

The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 was a rollercoaster of excitement, but one reveal stole the show: the Perfect Dark reboot. This iconic franchise, originally brought to life by Rare, is getting a fresh spin from The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics. Fans and critics alike are buzzing, eager to see how this new take will honor the classic while pushing the envelope with innovative gameplay.

A Long-Awaited Comeback

The Perfect Dark reboot has been cooking for a few years now, ever since its first teaser dropped at The Game Awards 2020. It hasn’t been all smooth sailing—staff changes and setbacks have kept fans on edge. But the recent gameplay trailer at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 has everyone pumped and optimistic about what's to come.

Gameplay and Story Details

In this new Perfect Dark, we’re thrown into a near-future world hit hard by environmental disasters, dubbed "The Cascade." These events have turned huge swaths of the planet into no-man's-land, letting mega-corps like Core Mantis rise to power with their cutting-edge tech. Enter Joanna Dark, our badass secret agent, tasked with digging up the dirt on these shady corporations and their dubious technologies.

The gameplay trailer? Pure fire. Picture a blend of first-person shooter action, immersive sim elements, and slick stealth mechanics. Joanna’s seen parkouring across Cairo’s rooftops, moving like a shadow through bustling streets. High-tech gadgets are her best friends, including a voice analyzer for making deepfake voice imprints, perfect for slipping past security or impersonating other characters.

Development and Collaboration

The Initiative, a first-party studio from Microsoft, is spearheading this reboot, with Crystal Dynamics (yep, the folks behind Tomb Raider) lending their expertise. This dream team aims to blend nostalgia with modern gameplay twists. Despite a rocky development road, the gameplay reveal shows they’re on the right track.

Community and Industry Reactions

The reaction? Overwhelmingly positive. Fans are loving the visual fidelity, Joanna's fluid movements, and the gadget play. Comparisons to heavyweights like Deus Ex and Dishonored are flying, with many noting that the new Perfect Dark is carving out its own unique space in the genre.

Critics are also optimistic, highlighting the game's potential to be the blockbuster secret agent game we’ve been craving. Christine Thompson, the game’s lead writer, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the balance between respecting the original and introducing fresh ideas.

Looking Ahead

No release date yet, but the hype train is full steam ahead. The Perfect Dark reboot is set to drop on Xbox Series X, PC, and hit Xbox Game Pass on day one. As development progresses, expect more updates and sneak peeks into Joanna Dark's new adventure.

The recent showcase has reignited faith in the project, and the gaming community is counting down the days until they can dive back into the world of Perfect Dark. Buckle up, because Joanna Dark is back and better than ever.

So what do you think are you excited for the Perfect Dark Remake?