Arc
at you!
Hot
on the heels of our recent Anki Overdrive racing game review, we're
back in more familiar (and traditional) slot car territory. But wait
– what's this? Scalextric have gone all wireless and app-y? Ye
gads, man! It's true, and we discovered how Scalextric is staying
bang up to date thanks to the Arc Air.
If
you've never played Scalextric you're either under six, or have spent
your entire life in an Antarctic research lab. The slot car game is
surely one of Britain's greatest exports, and several generations of
us have spent many happy hours gripping the controllers, whizzing
small plastic cars around black plastic tracks. But the decidedly
low-tech, high-fun game has received a 21st century update
in the form of the Arc Air Powerbase; an add-on that works with
existing Scalextric sets.
The
Arc Air first and foremost makes the traditional wired trigger
controllers wireless. This means that you can stand or sit wherever
the hell you like around your track, and even chase after your car as
it zooms around. The Arc Air is a simple additional track part which
slots in to your existing setup, coming with two new wireless
controllers. What's great about this is that not only are you now
free to roam around during a race, but receive feedback from the
controller via vibrations. Increasing speed, taking a sharp corner,
crashing... all produce a quick and responsive 'buzz' in your hand
which really draws you into the game.
But
going wireless isn't all that the Arc Air kit does. Downloading the
Arc Air app to your phone or tablet (and then putting said device in
the included stand – nice touch, Scalextric), the classic game
becomes even more interactive. Just like the aforementioned
Overdrive, and also the Real FX Racing we reviewed last year, the
addition of an app adds new elements to your races. Random incidents
like a tyre blow-outs and oil slicks will effect your car's
performance (which is possible now that the system is 'smart'), and
you can also tinker with control elements such as acceleration. Think
your car speeds off a little too drastically? You can now change
that.
The
app allows you to tailor the racing conditions and even add
'weather'. If it's pouring with virtual rain, you're gonna need a
virtual tyre change – all possible when customising your car in the
app. All this adds so much to the traditional game of Scalextric,
with the added benefit of switching it all off and playing 'au
natural' if you fancy – something the newer racing games can't
allow.
This
is a great expansion set for a Scalextric set; something that many
kids (and adults) may already own, slowly gathering dust at the back
of a wardrobe. But for new players the Arc Air offers an exciting way
into Scalextric, improving on what was already and exceptionally
playable game.
£74.99
Visit
www.scalextric.com
