Ever play Mario Kart and say to yourself “damn, I wish I could drive that in real life.” Well, if you’re a Gamestop PowerUp Rewards member, you may get the chance to make that into a reality. Nintendo and West Coast Customs (the guys who fix up cars from the MTV show Pimp My Ride) worked together to build the actual Mario karts, two of them, that really work. Or, if not, then you may be lucky enough to at least touch or sit in one at the LA Auto Show this and next week. Check out the pictures taken at the LA Auto Show inside.

The guys at West Coast Customs built two karts, the Mario Standard Kart and Luigi Bumble V. I’m more of a motorcycle Mario Kart player, but these are still damn awesome.

Reggie Fils-Aime was on-hand to reveal both Mario Kart 7 and the real karts in a press conference, which unfortunately we missed. However, Reggie was spotted later on shooting a video for the Nintendo Fanclub Facebook page (I subsequently stopped filming when I learned that, but we did catch the big man in the relatively-small kart. Let’s just say these aren’t made for tall people). As Nintendo spokespeople told me outside of the show floor, the karts are actually the first vehicles presented at the show floor that can actually fly in the air and drive underwater*.

The karts themselves weren’t being driven at the show, but you will be able to watch them in full use on TV on an episode of  Inside West Coast Customs in early 2012. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the crew in the body shop loves Mario and Mario Kart, and that at least some of them are living the dream building the first real driveable karts.

It was really surprising to see Reggie fit in the car. Christen barely fit in himself, and he’s just over 6′. Reggie didn’t exactly slide out though, as you may imagine.

Mario Kart 7 releases for the Nintendo 3DS on December 4th.

*”Note that while the gliders and propellers on the in-game go-karts let players soar through the air or drive underwater, these real-life karts do not. Trust us on this one.” – Nintendo Press Release

With Sunday coming to an end, it’s time to catch up on the internet while chillaxin’ on the deck. Spice that up with this amazing flash-video musical of the sounds from Super Mario Bros. I can’t think of a better way to end the weekend.

M0ar.org via Reddit

We’re gonna keep this post short and sweet.  This is what Mario would look like if it were an first person shooter.  And these are just a few of the words that come to mind: nauseating, dizzying, head-spinning, puke inducing, impossible.  However, notice the 2D view in the top left corner?  No doubt a necessity for anyone born in the the 80s.

Why are we so obsessed with the Nintendo Wii and other video game consoles when they receive an all new finish?  After all, it’s about what is on the inside not on the outside, right?  You can put that one in your principal bank and smoke it.

Conundrum notwithstanding, Nintendo has released, in Japan only mind you, the Red Nintendo Wii to commemorate Mario’s 25th birthday.   It will cost $240 when it arrives November 11th.  They’ll also release a Super Mario Bros box set in the EU on Dec. 3rd that is replete with soundtrack, “retrospective DVD” and history book.

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In anticipation of Black Friday, Nintendo plans to launch two special edition Nintendo DS bundles on the craziest shopping day of the year.  The Mario Red Nintendo DS will includes a red system emblazoned with an ‘M’ and a copy of the New Super Mario Bros.  The Ice Blue Nintendo DS will include a custom carrying case and the game Brain Age.

Both system will cost $150 and I’m hoping that they’ll show up on Amazon

[Businesswire]