(Thanks for the info Sam!)
Kevin Williams and I discussed the new “digital toy hybrid racer” Go Go Grand Prix in the latest podcast and now Namco has issued a press release discussing the success of the game at the EAG show. If you want to see this game in action, I posted a video of it a couple of posts below and it certainly is an interesting concept – it’s one kind of arcade racer I can get behind. The game will also be at the 2010 AAMA/AMOA Amusement Expo (let’s just call it the Big “A” Expo 🙂 ) at Las Vegas in March. The details can be found int he press release after the break.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Go Go Grand Prix Takes The Checkered Flag At The 2010 EAG Expo
(L to R) Namco’s Frank Cosentino, Mehdi Eghbal, Tom Siemieniec, and John McKenzie with Gamewax’s Yoshitaka Komiya and Mitsu Asami
Namco America Inc. and Namco Europe Ltd debuted Gamewax’s new “Digital Toy Hybrid Racer”, Go Go Grand Prix, at the European Amusement and Gaming Expo in London last week to fantastic responses and a very strong performance. Show attendees gathered around to watch and cheer on players young and old as they compete against one another in this simple 4-player slot car racer. Competition was high and everyone left with a large smile on their faces.
Similar to slot car racing, the 1:32 scale cars travel on a special play-field that is flat with a groove that runs down the middle. Metal strips on either side of the groove help provide power to the slot cars as it speeds along the winding track. The amount of pressure applied to the trigger in the hand controller determines the speed of the slot car. However, if a player approaches a turn too quickly, the car will slide out slightly and brake while giving the hand controller a vibrating buzz from the “G-Force” motor. This alerts the player that the speed should be decreased when approaching this turn the next time around. Unlike traditional slot cars, the cars in this game do not come off the tracks making it simple to play and highly competitive for all. The best part – it means the machine can be operated attendant free!
Namco America is excited to be showcasing this new game at the 2010 AAMA/AMOA Amusement Expo in March in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Namco America Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings Inc. Namco America Inc. is committed to providing the ultimate interactive entertainment experience. NAI uses cutting-edge technology and advanced electronics to take their coin-operated video games far beyond traditional entertainment. NAMCO BANDAI Holdings Inc., which also has business related interests in films, toys, health equipment, consumer video software, and restaurants, is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and owns a number of other subsidiary entertainment companies around the globe.
I don’t know but the manufacturing done on namco’s other games about 3 or 4 years ago was crap usually they used to fair alright a couple back around the turn of the century or a little after but then there manufacturing seemed to be poor with cabinets that would not last or be jacked up when put into the arcade rooms maybe they have changed since then or maybe it was just the owner operator purchasing second hand but it looked like a brand new game but beat up and wasn’t a couple months before the game was out of service hopefully they have there dice in a row it sure appears to be so by that picture. The slot car racing aspect brings back a few fond memories of when I was younger in the 70’s should be a good seller!!!
Good Luck hope to see one in my area soon!