Gift Ideas – Anki OVERDRIVE

Now that the boys are getting older, they play less and less, more interested in computer devices and sport, they do occasionally stop and play with LEGO but that is about it.  R, in particular, is now nearly 12 but every now and then, something will catch his eye and the advert for Anki OVERDRIVE certainly did.

It does look pretty cool doesn’t it? We were sent the starter pack which comes with the track, two cars and a charging unit for the cars and we were also sent two additional cars.  Setting up the Anki OVERDRIVE is simple. The track is lightweight and clips together really easily thanks to a system of magnets.  The starter kit comes with ten track pieces, 4 straight and 6 curved from which you can create 8 different ‘battlefields’.  I was amazed how easy it was to set up, no fuss, no messing, just a simple process of slotting together the pieces and you are ready to race.

Next, you have to charge your cars.  The starter kit comes with two cars or two robotic supercars to be more precise. Plug in the charger and the cars easily slot onto the charging unit and quickly charge.  You can see from a light on top of the car when it is charged.

Finally, while the cars are charging, you need to download the app.  The Anki OVERDRIVE app is free on compatible IOS and Android devices.  Once you have downloaded and set up the app, you are ready for some fun.

You can race with up to four cars on the track and you can play on your own or with up to four players (Wifi will be needed if you are all playing with separate devices). As I am writing the review, I felt that it was only right to give Anki OVERDRIVE a go for myself and I was quickly hooked.  It is so easy to get started.  From the app, you choose your gameplay which can be racing, battling,  time trials, king of the hill or a tournament and you choose your car.  As you win, you win points which you take into the garage to upgrade your car.  The more you upgrade your car, the easier it is to beat the tougher opponents.  

The thing that I liked is that the cars scan the track layout and then drive themselves, you use your device to change lanes and to change gear so you don’t have to worry about steering.  The cars are extremely nifty and when you upgrade the weapons, it is good fun trying to take out your opponents on the track.

R was keen to have a go and he loves Anki OVERDRIVE.  For him, it is the perfect thing.  It is fast, easy to set up, easy to use and uses his much-loved device, it is like a computer game but better as you have to fun of the race at the same time.

We are all really impressed with Anki OVERDRIVE.  It is ideal for those older children who are moving more towards screens and devices but who also still like the fun of physical play.  It is a very social game and is great fun if there are a few of you competing against each other.  From a parental point of view, it is quite costly at around £120 but the kit does include everything you need and it is so easy to set up and put away, which is a real bonus.  There are additional accessories and cars that can be bought to add even more to the set and judging by the positive reaction from my eleven-year-old son, I think this will be a very popular set this Christmas.

If you want to find out more about Anki OVERDRIVE, check out their website.

We were sent an Anki OVERDRIVE starter pack and two additional cars for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are our own.