I went in to 'Speed Racer' with no really expectations. I had heard that the Wii version was fun but I had not seen anything about the DS version. I have to say I have been very impressed.
Thankfully the game does not try and recreate the movie but instead focuses on the racing by setting the game after the events of the movie. There are no movie spoilers in the game except for driver names/cars and track locations.
'Speed Racer: The Videogame' is the rare movie tie in game that is actually well done. I was a little worried that a high speed racer on the DS based off the loose and chaotic racing seen in the movie would be impossible but thanks to some great design choices by the developer, this game really shines as the fastest racer on the DS.
This game is fast. Not the fastest game I have ever seen but it hold its own. You really feel like your going 300 mph while wiping around curves and taking jumps. On top of that, the boost feature is really well done. It is set up in such a
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away that conservation is rewarded with a "zone" moment where the track in essence straightens out for you and you just blaze by your opponents. Since you can't use this feature all the time it does not become unfair but instead a strategic item that can be used to move up in rank or to make it though a particularly difficult area. The name of the game is "Speed Racer" and you most certainly get the speed part.
The game is fast but that is only a part of the game. As fast as the game is, it still controls well once you get a handle for the drifting. Unlike some other "extreme" racing games 'Speed Racer' does not have an energy bar. You can hit as many walls as you like and not suffer an explosive demise. That said, you will do much better if you avoid the walls and that is where drifting come to play. The drifting feels very loose at first but after awhile you learn how you use it and you start racing like in the movie. Is it weird at first but your car can drive sideways, backwards and at any other angle. The disadvantage of this is that you move slower. All you have to do to fix that is tap the X button and you are back driving straight. Use can also do any number of spinning tricks off of ramps, half pipes or by jumping to fill your boost meter These controls really server to recreate the sort of frantic and chaotic feeling the movie had in a manageable and fun way.
The game does have a focus on combat, but not weapons. Instead you can ram and spin into opponents or use the power of "Car Fu." Since you can't be destroyed in this game combat serves as a way to slow people down or protect your own lead. The can tap X to spin and hit opponents into wall or at certain moments press the B button to preform "Car Fu." "Car Fu" takes place in a "Zone" style mode were your sole focus is in getting you icon closer to the middle then your opponent. This mode could be really annoying but instead remains fun thanks to is limited use and strategic element. Attack an opponent and lose and they get a boost, leaving you in the dust.
The only really complaint I have the the presentation. The game play is the main focus of the game (as is should be) and as such the menus are functional but spartan. They work but there is no polish. I hope that if this gem sees a sequel the developer have more time to make the presentation of the game a bit more polished. Until such time I am more the satisfied with having a great racing game with somewhat boring menus.
Pros:
The game promotes reply by having a good number of total track, unlockable characters and custom paint jobs for all the cars. There is also multiplayer but it requires multiple carts. Is is fast and fun and really manages to capture the spirit of the movie. Little to know pop-up in game. Great Graphics for the DS with bright and vibrant colors, good car models and a great sense of speed.
Cons:
Menus are merely functional. Music is average but not annoying. Multiplayer requires multiple carts. Tracks can be hard to tell apart.
Conclusion:
This is the rare movie tie-in that you can fell comfortable get for yourself or giving as a gift to a fan of the movie or racing games in general. It is fast, fun and creative with a real sense of speed. With no violence it is appropriate for all ages. A real treat.
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