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[kendrid]

Does anyone out there own Anki Drive or the new Overdrive version? Reviews everywhere all say it is great but I haven't seen much about long term usage.

My twelve year old wants it for Christmas and it looks fun but I am questioning how much long term usage it will get. Do you/your kids have it and if so is it something you get out every few weeks for does it just collect dust?

For those unfamiliar this is what I am referring to.

One thing I have noticed is that for the the popular Youtube videos, almost all of them received the kit for free. Even vehicle reviews are often have the "I received this for free" disclaimer.

 

[hokahey]

Does anyone out there own Anki Drive or the new Overdrive version? Reviews everywhere all say it is great but I haven't seen much about long term usage.

My twelve year old wants it for Christmas and it looks fun but I am questioning how much long term usage it will get. Do you/your kids have it and if so is it something you get out every few weeks for does it just collect dust?

For those unfamiliar this is what I am referring to.

I had never heard of this until last week. I asked my son what's the thing he wanted more than anything for xmas and he said this, so I ordered it. I too saw the solid reviews and figured he'd hopefully have some fun with it.

 

[zaryn]

I'd be interested in any feedback regarding the Overdrive too. My son really wants one of these for Christmas. I've fooled around with one once, and it seemed really cool. Hot Wheels has a version now too called Hot Wheels A.I., but it comes with controllers and I can see a 12 year old liking the iPad use with the Overdrive more.

 

[kendrid]

I had never heard of this until last week. I asked my son what's the thing he wanted more than anything for xmas and he said this, so I ordered it. I too saw the solid reviews and figured he'd hopefully have some fun with it.

At least he waited to ask for it this year. The old model had a fixed playing platform that you unrolled. With the new one it is more like a real slotcar track where you can build different configurations.

FYI: In the past Toys R Us has put the add on cars on sale around Black Friday.

 

[kendrid]

I'd be interested in any feedback regarding the Overdrive too. My son really wants one of these for Christmas. I've fooled around with one once, and it seemed really cool. Hot Wheels has a version now too called Hot Wheels A.I., but it comes with controllers and I can see a 12 year old liking the iPad use with the Overdrive more.

The Hot Wheels version has horrible reviews once you remove the people that got it for free. At Amazon if you click 'verified reviews only' it is a 1-2 star product. Most say it is a cheap Anki clone.

My son bought a used iPhone 5S and he wants to use it with Overdrive. We also have a 5C and iPad Mini 2 that we can also use for controllers.

 

[sportzhead]

Have had Overdrive since last Christmas. Haven't played it a lot. But my niece and I have had some good time with it. There is also a single player mode where you race and do car combat against the AI controlled car or cars, depending on how many cars you have. The single player mode is pretty fun. They give the AI drivers of the cars personality and they talk to you during the race. They also do neat little effects between the cars on the track and your phone controller. Like one of the AI cars hit a corner too fast, spun out and flew off the track. As all of this was happening, the sound effects of screeching tires and the drive yelling was playing out through the phone' speakers. Was really cool.

I haven't had any experience with the new large trucks that just came out, so I'm not sure what they add to the experience. Also building tracks is easy. They just magnetically snap together. And get more track pieces if you do decide to pick it up. The cars charge in like 15 minutes using the included charging base. You can charge up to 4 cars at a time. I think any kid that likes cars, remote control stuff will love it.

Things I don't really like about it: there is no stopping. The cars auto run. You control how fast or how slow they go, and their position on the track, but you can't make them stop. Also wish they would add a pure racing mode with fuel and pit stops. Overall we both liked it, and my girlfriend even wants to get her own car to race. But I still prefer the old slot car tracks. Those required more skill.

 

[kendrid]

Things I don't really like about it: there is no stopping. The cars auto run. You control how fast or how slow they go, and their position on the track, but you can't make them stop. Also wish they would add a pure racing mode with fuel and pit stops. Overall we both liked it, and my girlfriend even wants to get her own car to race. But I still prefer the old slot car tracks. Those required more skill.

Thanks for the detailed reply.

Is there any reason to not go 100% speed at all times? Do the cars automatically stay on the road or will they run off the road if you are going too fast like old slot cars?

 

[sportzhead]

Thanks for the detailed reply.

Is there any reason to not go 100% speed at all times? Do the cars automatically stay on the road or will they run off the road if you are going too fast like old slot cars?

They can fall off the track if the turns at too tight. But it doesn't happen much. You can fishtail or "drift a little" on turns if you are going to fast and it will slow you down. But slowing down is needed to get behind or on the side of cars to use your weapons on them.

 

[kendrid]

They can fall off the track if the turns at too tight. But it doesn't happen much. You can fishtail or "drift a little" on turns if you are going to fast and it will slow you down. But slowing down is needed to get behind or on the side of cars to use your weapons on them.

Makes sense. It is too bad that they don't completely stop and I can't figure out why they did that. At least they can always add it in later with a software update.

 

[kendrid]

To update my own thread...my son got Anki Overdrive a couple of weeks ago and we have played it almost every day. Right now two cousins are over and they are all screaming and having a blast with it.

It is like playing Blur with slot cars. We are having a blast with it.

 

[kendrid]

Things I don't really like about it: there is no stopping. The cars auto run. You control how fast or how slow they go, and their position on the track, but you can't make them stop.

Some cars have unlocks which allow them to completely stop. You probably unlocked them by now but I thought I would mention it for others looking at this thread.

 

[elfinke]

Glad to see other people getting into these. I've got stacks of Scalextric gear, but this Anke stuff is terrific in another way.

Anyone tried the RealFX system? How does it compare to the Anke stuff? I've read and watched a fair bit, but as others have noted, so many of the reviews are compromised on some way or another.

 

[Captain Zyrain]

I saw the kit on sale at Target for $100 (down from $150) the other day, almost got it, but the kids are spoiled enough already.

Cousins have a set and it seems like a lot of fun.

 

[GuyKazama]

Also wish they would add a pure racing mode with fuel and pit stops.

This is my only complaint. I found the regular modes difficult to explain to people not familiar with Anki. I would like a simple racing mode that announces the laps and removes all the perks/weapons from the cars and AI, so people can jump in and play without the characters and storyline stuff.