Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Google Maps Apps Add 'Mario Kart' Feature (wlwt.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the Mario-where-are-you? dept.

An anonymous reader quotes WLWT News: Starting Saturday, "Mario Time" will be available on the Google Maps app for iOS and Android, letting you drive around town with Mario as your guide, cruising the app in a go-kart similar to the iconic "Mario Kart" video game. When users launch the latest version of the app, the feature is activated by tapping a "?" beside the start button normally used to start navigation.
It includes sound effects -- "Woo-hoo! Let's-a go!" says Mario -- and will be available for the next week. It's to commemorate "Mario Day" -- Mar.10 -- that magical time of year one Portland newspaper has described as "the most manufactured of corporate holidays," on which Nintendo lowers the price on their Super Mario Run app and offers other discounts.

19 of 35 comments (clear)

  1. Geo-blocked site by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 2

    http://www.wlwt.com/

    Sorry, this content is not available in your region.

    Uh, okay.

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
    1. Re:Geo-blocked site by Mister+Liberty · · Score: 2

      I guess you're in a No-Go-Kart area.

    2. Re:Geo-blocked site by sheramil · · Score: 1

      I could see it from my comfortable residence in Melbourne, Australia, although they weren't happy about being ad-blocked. I now know far more about Cincinnati than i really needed to. I wonder if that radio station is still operating? They were funny.

  2. Um... by Flexagon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just waiting for the first accident this causes.

    1. Re:Um... by mark-t · · Score: 1

      This is just what I was thinking, actually... the novelty of it is liable to cause some people to look at the screen for longer periods than a typical glance that might otherwise be done during normal navigation.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    2. Re:Um... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Blue-shells are no accident.

    3. Re:Um... by zifn4b · · Score: 1

      Just waiting for the first accident this causes.

      I depends on if you're using manual or automatic drifting when you go around corners.

      --
      We'll make great pets
    4. Re:Um... by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      In real life they do cause accidents.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
  3. Re:For those Readers who are not retarded by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    Ah, I see you want "dumb speak". Type "theonion.com" in your browser address bar for news better suited to your I.Q.

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
  4. Re:For those Readers who are not retarded by thsths · · Score: 1

    Indeed, more pointless than most slashdot articles. And at least here, it seems to be wrong, unless I am missing something.

    Slashdot, fake news for nerds.

  5. Next by Stormbringer · · Score: 1

    I can't wait for the pod races on the fourth of May.

    1. Re:Next by sheramil · · Score: 1

      I can't wait for the infrastructure-destroying giant mecha battles on July 1st. I've got my eye on the Melbourne Arts centre.

  6. They left out the most important part! by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

    Can I throw blue shells at other drivers?

    1. Re:They left out the most important part! by mentil · · Score: 1

      No but you can use Mushrooms.

      --
      Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
    2. Re:They left out the most important part! by zifn4b · · Score: 1

      Can I throw blue shells at other drivers?

      No, sadly. However, you can use Bullet Bill to get to and from work faster.

      --
      We'll make great pets
  7. "Most" manufactured? Feh, lightweights. by pots · · Score: 1

    I may be late to the party, but I've only just recently learned about White Day - a holiday by and for Japanese confectionery companies, which occurs one month after Valentine's Day. Then idea is that girls should give boys chocolate on Valentine's Day, and boys should give girls reciprocal white chocolate (or marshmallows) one month later on White Day.

    In other words, it's a cynical manufactured holiday intended to sell candy, built on top of another cynical manufactured holiday intended to sell greeting cards. Apparently it got so popular in Japan that it has now spread to quite a few other Asian countries.

    This is my submission for "most manufactured" holiday.

    1. Re:"Most" manufactured? Feh, lightweights. by mjwx · · Score: 1

      I may be late to the party, but I've only just recently learned about White Day - a holiday by and for Japanese confectionery companies, which occurs one month after Valentine's Day. Then idea is that girls should give boys chocolate on Valentine's Day, and boys should give girls reciprocal white chocolate (or marshmallows) one month later on White Day.

      It may not have occurred to you... but Japan doesn't have Easter. This sounds like their take on it.

      In other words, it's a cynical manufactured holiday intended to sell candy, built on top of another cynical manufactured holiday intended to sell greeting cards. Apparently it got so popular in Japan that it has now spread to quite a few other Asian countries.

      This is my submission for "most manufactured" holiday.

      The most manufactured "holidays" have to be Christmas and Easter. Easter is all about selling chocolate eggs in copious quantities. Christmas is about sellting cheap tat and expensive toys. They've got no meaning besides chocolate and gifts.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    2. Re:"Most" manufactured? Feh, lightweights. by desdinova+216 · · Score: 1

      I thought on month after Valentine's day was Pi day

  8. Comment by WallyL · · Score: 1

    Happy April Fools, slashdot peeps!