The experience will launch on August 3 in Hollywood Bowl at the O2. Using HTC Vive devices, players will be immersed in an exceptional VR experience. Players can choose to race as Mario, Peach, Luigi or Yoshi. Instead of using buttons to grab power-ups or banana skins, they must physically pluck them from the environment. "I was simply in awe of the fact that the cartoonish racing game that I grew up with had become very real," Richard said of the game.

After its European debut, the Bandai Namco will roll out the experience to other VR sites, including Leeds and Tunbridge Wells. If you want to take it for a spin, you probably should make reservations, which you will be able to do at Hollywood Bowl's site.