How to Make a Cardboard Car Racing Game (Video)

The folks at Nintendo took the world by storm when it launched its Labo kits for the Switch. Given their huge reception, it's easy to conclude that there are many people out there eager to use cardboard for their DIY creations, but the truth is that several YouTube channels have been doing just that for a long time. One of the most notable is New Blaker, who has among his projects a racing game inspired by Need for Speed.

If we have to mention one of the many advantages of cardboard, it's its low cost. Just by asking for an empty box at any business (which will probably end up recycled or in the trash) we already get enough material to start basic projects, but the question is… what projects? The first recommendation is to visit YouTube and type cardboard. Guns, safes, giant padlocks, missile launcher replicas, a four-cylinder engine, and even a scale Lamborghini Aventador are on the list. The second one (which we'll share today) is a bit more humble than a Lambo, but it's still about cars:

The Cardboard Racing Game

Of course, some special pieces are needed beyond cardboard, starting with a motor, a 9-volt battery, a potentiometer, and one of those compact cameras used to inspect pipes. The key behind this racing game is the endless belt, with several toy cars glued to its surface that serve as obstacles. The camera connects to a dedicated screen (it can be a tablet), the steering wheel moves the camera left and right, and the potentiometer acts as a gearbox, similar to the classic Lo-Hi from Out Run or Pole Position.

More Cardboard Ideas

This is just one of the many projects shared by the New Blaker channel, and in the second video you can see other ideas ranging from portable mini-games to an airplane, passing through piggy banks and a machine for grabbing plushies (balls and Kinder eggs in that case).