The cart hums softly as I hold it by the controller. The screen lights up with a bright red start line. The kart is small, like me, but sleek and shiny. It zips across the track, leaving blue smoke behind. I press the button to go faster, and the kart whizzes past the turn. I can see Mario’s tiny red car in front of mine. I try to match his speed, but he’s too fast. The screen shows different tracks—some flat, some bumpy. I steer through a bend and bump into a block. It cracks open and drops coins on the ground. I pick them up quickly before they roll away. The kart glitches and shakes as I drive over the edge of the track. I push it to get back onto solid ground. The race ends, and the screen shows my time. A number flashes—9:45. Not bad, but I want better next time.