
In fact, while the physical components make Anki Overdrive feel like a video game come to life, the Overdrive app itself really propels the experience. Your phone vibrates, the cars light up and slow down, and it gives the game a Mario Kart-esque allure. Other weapons might stall you on the track for a couple seconds, weaken your armor against further attacks, or show your momentum with machine gun fire. If you’re hit with a tractor beam, for example, you’ll slow down and the foe who zapped you will blast ahead. No, they’re not physical projectiles or attacks (I can dream), but rather virtual volleys that resonate within the app. Winning races and battles nets you upgrades for your weapons and cars. The latter point is important, since Anki Overdrive has a secret, unseen weapon: weapons. You’ll lightly steer the car by tilting your phone or tablet, so you can lean into turns or position yourself behind a rival. It’s so cool to see them whip around the course for the first time, but you’ve got a job to do. Anki’s little sprinters are impressively speedy as they auto-accelerate around the tracks, constantly scanning the infrared markings on the pieces to maintain position as they zip along.
Anki cars overdrive android#
After connecting to the Anki Overdrive app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, they’ll do a slow lap or two around the course and learn the layout.Īnd then they’re off-quickly, too. You get two with the box, and they’ll need about 10 minutes on the included charging dock to be fully juiced up they run upwards of 20 minutes once charged.

Unlike traditional slot cars, these very thin, plastic tracks aren’t electrified: it’s the cars themselves. The magnetized track pieces snap together.
