If you think Mario Kart is unbeatable for party gaming, wait until you hear about Kart Klash! This groundbreaking new experience from RPM Raceway promises to bring the excitement of the beloved video game to life—without the risk of injury often found at dubious theme parks.

Launching at RPM’s indoor tracks in Stamford, CT, and Long Island, NY, Kart Klash merges cutting-edge electric karts with thrilling gameplay, making it the closest thing to Mario Kart you can experience in real life.

Race at 45 mph with High-Tech Karts!

Forget those clunky, smoke-belching karts you might have encountered at roadside attractions. RPM’s karts are the electric Sodikart RSX2, designed to reach speeds of up to 45 mph. And trust me, that feels fast when you're just inches from the ground!

As someone with a racing background, I was skeptical at first. However, these karts deliver plenty of speed and excitement on RPM’s twisting two-level track.

Unleash Your Inner Racer with Power-Ups!

But here's where it gets really fun: Kart Klash is not just about speed. Imagine racing while using power-ups reminiscent of Mario Kart! You’ll find yourself firing missiles, dropping explosives, and deploying shields just like in the game.

Here's the lineup of power-ups you can use during your race: - **Boost**: A speed burst (like the Mushroom) - **Missile**: Tracks and hits the kart in front (Red Shell) - **Top Shot**: Targets the leader (Spiny Shell) - **EMP**: Slows down everyone but you (Lightning) - **TNT**: Drops an explosive behind you (Banana) - **Shield**: Protects against incoming attacks - **Hyper**: Offers a combination of speed and protection (Star) While not groundbreaking in originality, the use of these familiar items brings instant fun!

The Thrilling Race Experience!

Initially, racers line up for a standing start, but the dynamic of power-ups means that starting up front isn't necessarily a guaranteed win. You’ll be rewarded with better items if you fall back in the pack, making for exhilarating competition.

Once you're hit with a weapon, expect a slow-down that injects just the right amount of frustration into your race, while also letting you know who to exact your revenge upon!

The Soundtrack of Chaos!

While you won't see fireworks or visual cues for your weapons in action, you’ll definitely hear them! Thanks to a system of positional speakers around the track, you'll hear the rocket zooming past—adding to the atmosphere for both racers and onlookers.

Despite Differences, It’s Still a Blast!

Now, while Kart Klash beautifully captures the essence of Mario Kart, it does have its differences. The track is much shorter, and the narrower routes change how power-ups work. Collisions don’t have the same drastic effect as in the video game, allowing a bit more strategy.

Even with those discrepancies, Kart Klash is a riot! RPM’s CEO, Andrew Farage, assures that they'll be tuning the experience based on player feedback.

Ready to give it a shot? It’s $30 per race for members and $40 for non-members—a bit pricier than average karting but well worth the thrill of racing with friends!