This weekend, SXSW gaming fans got a taste of what it feels like to be America’s favorite video game characters during the real world Marion Kart 8 experience in Austin, TX. Pennzoil presented Mario Karting Reimagined, a real-world racing experience based on the highly anticipated Mario Kart 8 video game for Wii U, brought to life on the grounds of SXSW Interactive. As the Official Motor Oil & Auto Fuel Sponsor of the 2014 SXSW Interactive Festival, Pennzoil introduced this innovative experience to consumers as a way to convey the innovation tied to Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oils with PurePlus Technology.
“The collaboration with Nintendo’s Mario Kart franchise marks two iconic brands coming together as leaders on the front lines in their respective industries,” said Chris Hayek, Pennzoil Global Brand Manager. “Mario Karting Reimagined is sure to surprise SXSW attendees with the way that it uses the iconic elements of the Mario Kart 8 video game to capture the inspiration behind PurePlus Technology, pushing the boundaries of innovation and imagination.”
Mario Karting Reimagined allowed SXSW attendees to get behind the wheel of a super-powered go-kart inspired by the Mario Kart 8 video game. For drivers to gain a competitive edge during the on-track experience, participants must collect the Pennzoil Complete Protection icons on the track that act as simulated power-ups, appearing in the form of Pennzoil branded icons to compliment some of the traditional Mario Kart 8 icons. The live racing will be broadcast on a jumbo-tron, with each go-kart’s performance behaving normally until an icon is tripped on the track. Once activated, the go-kart will experience the effects of the icon in real-time to trigger speed boosts or slow the go-kart down.
Just as the Mario Kart video game series is known for its unpredictable racing fun, Mario Karting Reimagined had participants compete for the checkered flag on Pennzoil’s custom course, where anything could happen. As drivers passed certain areas of the track, the image showing each driver’s point of view on the jumbo-tron will flip upside down, just as Mario and his friends can defy gravity and drive upside down in Mario Kart 8. Each participant will walk away with their own digital video link to their Mario Karting Reimagined experience, offering a helmet camera view of their track laps and personal Complete Protection score.
Attendees were also able to participate in a special gameplay preview experience with the upcoming Mario Kart 8 game for Wii U before it launches in stores this May. Mario Kart 8, the newest installment in the fan-favorite video game series from Nintendo, launches exclusively for Wii U on May 30, introducing anti-gravity racing, allowing players to drive up vertical surfaces and even upside down on inverted tracks. Players will be able to race alone, with other friends in the same room via split-screen multiplayer (multiple controllers required; sold separately) or online with others from around the world (broadband Internet access required).
Players can even capture their favorite gameplay clips and share them using the new Mario Kart TV feature. The game includes a selection of the most recognizable characters from the Mushroom Kingdom such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser and, for the first time ever, the seven Koopalings that first made their debut in Super Mario Bros.™ 3.
For more information on Mario Karting Reimagined Powered by Pennzoil at SXSW or Pennzoil Platinum motor oils with PurePlus Technology, visit www.motoroilreimagined.com and follow @Pennzoil and #MotorOilReimagined on Twitter to stay up-to-date on Pennzoil news at SXSW as it happens. For more information on Mario Kart 8, visit www.nintendo.com.
