# Video Game-Inspired Races This Viral Video Involves a Mario Kart-Style Race in a Shopping Mall By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-03-18 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kartstyle-race References: [brostrick](http://www.brostrick.com/viral/game-on-real-life-mario-kart-race-at-the-mall/) & [youtu.be](https://youtu.be/Oyu2Bncq548) [YouTube](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mentos-fizzookas-rocket) user 'Base37' recently uploaded a video that shows a real life Mario Kart-style race taking place in a local shopping mall. For millennials that grew up playing the classic [Nintendo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-worlds) game, this video is sure to evoke feelings of nostalgia. In the video titled 'Mario Kart FlashMob,' a group of friends dress up as all of the classic [Mario Kart characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-happy-meal-toys) and equip themselves with pint-sized go-karts. The group then drives to the Westfield Shopping Mall and embarks on a hilarious Mario Kart-style race through the shopping center. In the video, the characters recreate many of the iconic game plays, including throwing banana peels to keep opponents from catching up. Aside from the clever way the video is shot, the reason for the video's success is largely due to the fact that many YouTube users can directly relate to the game and its characters. As a result, it is clear that nostalgia and clever pop culture references can be key elements in creating viral content. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Pop Culture-inspired Events:** There is an opportunity for event planners and organizers to create pop culture-inspired events that tap into the nostalgia of millennials. - **Real-life Gaming Experiences:** Businesses can create real-life gaming experiences, similar to this real-life Mario Kart-style race, that attract customers seeking fun and unique experiences. - **Viral Video Marketing:** Viral video marketing campaigns that tap into pop culture phenomena, like classic video games, have the potential to go viral and reach a large audience. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Event Planning:** Event planning companies can create pop culture-inspired events that engage millennials and tap into their nostalgia of brands from their childhood. - **Gaming Industry:** The gaming industry can create real-life gaming experiences, like this Mario Kart-inspired race, to attract a broader audience and create a unique marketing opportunity. - **Marketing Industry:** Digital marketing agencies can create viral video marketing campaigns that tap into nostalgic pop culture references, like classic video games, to reach a large millennial audience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive Motorsport-Inspired Gaming Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-worlds.md) - [Racing Video Game-Inspired Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-mario-kart-set.md) - [Video Game-Inspired Hovercrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-hovercraft.md) - [Video Game-Inspired Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-cookie-cruiser.md) - [Open-World Racing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-world.md) - [Video Game-Inspired LEGO Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunscreen-mist.md) - [Nostalgic Video Game Cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fudge-stripes-rocky-road-cookies.md) - [Video Game Meal Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-happy-meal-toys.md) - [Iconic Go-Kart-Game Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-mario-mario-kart.md)