A Real-Life Mario Kart Track CRASH… in Someone’s Backyard?! | Utah Retro GamExpo VIP Party Recap

 

What happens when you take the creativity of a retro gaming fan, the charm of a backyard course, and the chaos of Mario Kart—then invite a bunch of gaming legends and fans to try it for real? You get one unforgettable VIP party Saturday night after the Utah Retro GamExpo! You can watch my party recap by clicking HERE.

I was honored to be a guest at this year’s convention, and the after-party was nothing short of epic. Hosted by the event’s owner at his own home, the backyard featured a fully realized real-life Mario Kart track—complete with sharp turns, tricky straightaways, and the potential for a little friendly mayhem. And yes, there was a spectacular crash during the night. Fortunately, the driver lived to tell the tale, adding a bit of real-world drama to the evening’s fun.

The party lineup was stacked with talent and personalities from across the retro gaming and pop culture scene: artist Paul Neimeyer (Mortal Kombat logo), game designer Warren Davis (Q*bert), YouTubers Mr. Wright Way and GameDad, Gary from Roxolid Productions, Gini Holtzman (Peppermint Patty from Peanuts), and even the actor who portrayed Jax in the original Mortal Kombat game! With such a guest list, the conversations were as entertaining as the activities—it was great getting to know the convention host and catching up with Warren and talking about writing.

And speaking of activities—the Mario Kart course wasn’t the only attraction. A home arcade was connected to the backyard, loaded with retro arcade cabinets, Skee-Ball, and more. It was the perfect place to recharge between races and enjoy a hit of gaming nostalgia.

We were also treated to some amazing BBQ, fueling us for the night’s adventures. The combination of great food, great company, and the surreal experience of racing karts in a retro-themed backyard made this one of the most unique gaming parties I’ve ever attended.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step inside the chaotic fun of Mario Kart—and live to tell the tale—this is the video for you!

Casey's Gold Atari 2600 Review - Dan Kitchen & Audacity Games

 

Casey’s Gold is a remarkable adventure platformer that pushes the Atari 2600 to awesome heights. Designed by Dan Kitchen for Audacity Games, the title evokes the polish and responsiveness of a vintage Activision release—Casey moves with a smoothness and precision, making every jump and crouch feel natural.

You guide Casey across trains, mines, and frontier towns, collecting lost gold while avoiding hazards like bats, lizards, vultures, rattlesnakes, and fire ants. The game blends platforming with exploration and puzzle-solving in ways rarely seen on the system. Players can climb ladders, enter train cars through roof hatches, use TNT to blast through mine walls, and uncover cleverly hidden collectibles in shadowed corners.

The level design is creative throughout. Warp flags allow instant transport across train cars, wells hide underground mines or teleport you across town, and buildings may require keys to enter. Each stage feels layered with secrets, encouraging you to search every nook and cranny. The hidden items—conductor hats for extra lives, pocket watches for time, and balloons for bonus points—add to the fun of discovery (to borrow a phrase found in ColecoVision manuals).

Casey’s Gold is not a quick playthrough. It’s a long, addictive adventure with multiple gold rushes, mine expeditions, and train raids to complete. While fun and rewarding, the game cries out for a password system or save states to preserve progress, since sessions can run long and test endurance as much as skill. Pause would be nice as well. For this reason, playing the digital version, exclusive to the Collector’s Edition, is the preferred method.

From the instantly recognizable train cars to the desert backgrounds and eerie mines, Casey’s Gold looks fantastic for a 2600 title. The character design of Casey himself is memorable—he certainly looks the part of a train conductor—and the locomotive engine is a graphical highlight.

Audacity Games was founded by Dan Kitchen, Garry Kitchen, and David Crane, three of the most important figures from Activision’s legendary Atari 2600 era. In the early ’80s, they created some of the most enduring and inventive games for the console, and with Audacity they’ve reunited to continue that tradition. Their philosophy is unusual in today’s market: every release comes as a deluxe physical cartridge package—complete with box, manual, overlays, and often special extras.

Their debut game, Circus Convoy, proved that the 2600 still had untapped potential even four decades later, and Casey’s Gold carries that torch forward. I’m fortunate to know Dan, Garry, and David personally, and I often see them at retro gaming conventions and events at the National Video Game Museum. Their enthusiasm for preserving the spirit of classic gaming is infectious, and having Dan sign my copy of Casey’s Gold makes it even more meaningful.

Casey’s Gold is a fun, ambitious title that could easily sit alongside Activision’s finest. It rewards exploration and persistence and is one of the most impressive adventures ever created for the Atari 2600.

A big thanks to Dan Kitchen for designing such a creative game—and for signing my copy!