Real-Life Mass Effect Mako Remote-Controls Your Heart

[IanDavis]

Real-Life Mass Effect Mako Remote-Controls Your Heart

A talented fan makes a remote-controlled Mako, complete with rotating turret.

The M-35 Mako. Love it or hate it, its iconic design embodies the Mass Effect aesthetic. It only appeared in the first game, but that was enough to capture the imagination of self-proclaimed "jack of all trades" Laura Ducros, who cobbled together [a href=http://blog.bioware.com/2013/06/21/fan-blog-the-rc-mako/]a remote-controlled Mako[/a] of her very own. You don't need jump jets or an element zero core to be awesome, just some craft foam and a lot of heart.

After seeing remote-controlled R2D2's and K9s at various conventions, Laura wanted something similar to accompany her FemShep outfit. Lacking access to the proper futuristic materials, Laura had to construct the rover out of craft foam, a wooden dowel, and lots of superglue. The base was salvaged from a 6-wheel RC truck from Target, and the body is patterned after a papercraft model by [a href=http://thunderchildftc.deviantart.com/]ThunderChildFTC[/a]. In all, it measures 19.5" long and 8" tall. The turret even rotates on command. The only thing it needs are a few papercraft Geth soldiers to run over.

You can find more details on the RC Mako at the [a href=http://blog.bioware.com/2013/06/21/fan-blog-the-rc-mako/]official Bioware blog[/a]. Laura's not finished with it yet, as she plans to keep updating the project with lights, a functional cannon, and maybe even a jumping ability. You can keep tabs on the project via its own [a href=https://www.facebook.com/RCMako]Facebook page.[/a]

Source: [a href=http://blog.bioware.com/2013/06/21/fan-blog-the-rc-mako/]Bioware Blog[/a]

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[Daaaah Whoosh]

I remember the Mako. I spent countless hours trying to drive up the side of a mountain, just because I was too lazy to go around. I imagine it would take considerably longer to do the same thing with this replica. Still looks pretty cool, though.

 

[Fappy]

I would sell my soul for that thing. SO... BEAUTIFUL...

I miss the Mako

 

[kajinking]

Oh god not the bouncy tank, god only knows how much fun it was trying to keep that thing straight if got .00005 seconds of airtime.

 

[Something Amyss]

I would sell my soul for that thing. SO... BEAUTIFUL...

I miss the Mako

Sure, it's pretty, but does it handle like ass and bounce around like it's on the surface of a superball?

If not, then it's not really a Mako, is it?

 

[Xan Krieger]

A mako with proper physics? Take my money, just take it.
A functional cannon? Lights? A jumping ability? When this thing is completed it'll be the best mass effect toy ever built (even better than those replica assault rifles)

 

[weirdee]

After finally playing Mass Effect, I am going to chalk up most of the complaints to bad driving and not knowing that you're supposed to scale steep slopes by driving at an angle. Also, pushing off of a slanted surface makes you jump at that angle....

it'd be neat if the model also had a tiny high powered scope on it

 

[BlackStar42]

If she can make a mini-Normandy, I think she's undeniably won the Internets.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

That is pure awesome. I hope she doesn't make the Hammerhead, that thing will tear itself in half if you go over a pebble.

 

[Fraser Fitzpatrick]

Now make me an animatronic Liara.

 

[piinyouri]

I know people rat all over that thing but I LOVED the Mako exploration, even at it's worst.

It was years ago but I still remember rolling over uneven terrain and crawling up mountains in a similar fashion to how competitive vehicle climbing is done I imagine, only to come down the other side in a overwhelmingly huge dry lake bed.

Or just the overall amazing sights in general.

Spoiler: I still remember seeing that planet for the first time.

It just did a lot for me in terms of making feel like I was actually in the galaxy landing on other planets.
Because I was.

Spoiler: Anyway, apparently this was possible too.

I had no idea.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Oh! It's the Mako. I love Mako!

 

[infohippie]

This is awesome! I missed the Mako so much in ME2, I loved driving it in ME1.

 

[an annoyed writer]

After finally playing Mass Effect, I am going to chalk up most of the complaints to bad driving

Hear hear! This weirdguy speaks truth!

Seriously though, the Mako's controls were designed to mimic Halo's vehicle controls. If you played Halo beforehand, you could make this thing do everything you wanted it to.

 

[J Tyran]

Spoiler: Anyway, apparently this was possible too.

I had no idea.

Where did you get that from? Is there a full video by any chance?

 

[Longstreet]

I don't care what anyone says. The mako was the best Tank ever. Period.

 

[piinyouri]

Spoiler: Anyway, apparently this was possible too.

I had no idea.

Where did you get that from? Is there a full video by any chance?

I found it on the Bioware forums, but I have no idea where it may have originated.
And no idea if there's a video, sorry.

 

[fix-the-spade]

I remember the Mako. I spent countless hours trying to drive up the side of a mountain, just because I was too lazy to go around.

I used to do that to find spots for epic jump jet free falls.

My biggest irritation with Mass Effect 2 and 3 was that they didn't improve the Mako's collision detection, but just binned the whole thing instead, wasted opportunity!