When unveiled back in 2013, Bandai Namco Amusements stated that their new arcade exclusive Mario Kart Arcade GP DX title would feature online support for annual updates. Japan already has enjoyed a major update to the game in that time and they have another on the way.
In Japan, Bandai Namco has pulled back the curtains on what some of that first update will entail, at least for their region. I have reached out to BNA America for comment but they do not have any announcements to make at this time. The Western version of this launched last year so it is a little bit behind; we do know that for Western versions, 5 years of updates are planned which include new karts, tracks and items. There is a good chance these updates will apply to the globe some time afterwards, we will just have to wait and see.
The Japanese update will include what they call a “National Battle Mode”, which is a term they use to indicate live cross-site play. I think such a mode would be of great value in the West since operators have to pay $50/mo per seat for the game and it has to be online to be active. Doing such a thing for an arcade racing game has been done before in the West (see GlobalVR’s NASCAR Team Racing; it had also been tried out with SF Rush 2049) although it is more prominent in Japan and China.
As expected it will include new karts which have a focus on “performance” and “high speed”
And finally, from what they have announced, mirror courses will now be available
More info will be along as I find out about it but as mentioned I think the most significant update they could provide would be a US National Battle Mode. The game is already arcade exclusive giving it appeal but I think this would help build on that moreso than extra karts/courses/items. What are your thoughts about the updates? What would you like to see Namco offer for Western versions of the game?
I would like to see the game include online play and leader boards by region and country. big buck has online play so I don’t see why the arcade version of mariokart should be missed out considering what decade we’re in now.
I would like to see a ticket dispenser option for the locations that are too scared to buy a pure video arcade game. I would also like to see Namco put the MK8 engine into MKAGPDX and work with Ninendo to redesign all the MKAGPDX tracks so they look “in style” with MK8. For the tracks I would recommend Namco getting retro tracks from older Mario Kart games and remake them for the arcade version .
With the characters I want Pac Man to look like his Super Smash Bros counterpart A.K.A his 2000’s look. For the new characters I would like to see the new characters from the eastern version like Rosalina and Metal Mario. For the Items I don’t really care that much since all the items are just weird in their own ways but if you force me to pick a new I would possibly make a potato as a new item xD
Glad to hear that Namco is still supporting the game over in Japan. Does anybody know when the USA version is expected to get its first big content update? I would LOVE to see the online multiplayer added, since the game requires an active internet connection already.
My center’s 4 MK Arcade GP DX cabs have been solid earners, but we’ve had the games since May and feel a bit left in the dark (escape? hur hur) by Namco with the whole update situation.