This AR Super Mario Simulation Is Traffic Accident Waiting To Happen

Remember when politicians used to hawk all the time that video games are dangerous? Someone actually created an augmented reality simulation of Super Mario that proves these politicians right, in a way. Not only does it obscure one’s vision in real life, it also encourages the user to perform ill-advised stunts. It’s basically a traffic accident waiting to happen.

The AR Super Mario project is the work of one Abhishek Singh, where he recreates the opening area of Super Mario Bros. from the NES era, Time reports. In the video, Singh released, he was wearing Mario’s iconic red long sleeved shirt and jumper and put on the Microsoft HoloLens AR headset. Afterward, Singh proceeded to walk, jump and skip in New York’s Central Park.

"I've recreated the iconic first level of Super Mario Bros. as a first-person life-sized augmented reality game that I'm now going to play as Mario," he said in the video.

With regards to the technical innovation and quality of the result, there’s no denying that Singh did a bang up job. Obstacles could be sidestepped and the objects and environments almost feel like they have actual substance to them.

Towards the end, however, the true danger of this kind of practice is made clear. As Singh neared the end of the level where fans of the games will know awaits a castle with a flag, the gigantic edifice fills up practically his whole vision. If Singh has performed this stunt where streets are easier to access, things could have gone horribly wrong.

On that note, perhaps there really isn’t much point worrying since the video showcases some of the issues that companies and legislatures are going to address. AR entertainment on this level is likely never coming to private residences, Destructoid reports. In arcades and special facilities, however, there is plenty of potential profit to be made.