Wacky Races Review

Anannya Sen ’s Review

A racing game based on the classic cartoon featuring your favourite characters!

The graphics are simple driving game graphics along the style of Outrun. Each car looks pretty similar to the cartoon but as the view is from behind, you don't get to appreciate them a whole lot. Still they are nicely done though. The main menu is pretty bland although the loading pic is quite good. The backgrounds are reasonable, but the track itself is quite basic, as are the markers (trees, rocks etc). You do have some areas where big boulders are thrown at you and the animation is quite nice on these. My problem with the graphics is that you never really get a sense of speed when playing the game.

The sound is quite good. The tune that loads up when you play the game depends on which course you are in and there are 3 different types of course so three types of tune. There are some sound effects as well when you pick up items, crash the car or use items. No vibration or anything though.

The controls are a little tricky. Like all driving games, getting the best balance for the controls on a phone keypad is never easy. You can use the D or key pad to steer and accelerate. Up or 2 accelerates, down or 8 brakes. Left (4) and Right (6) will steer the car that way. Also, 1 and 3 will accelerate and turn in that direction. You can also get items which can be used by the main button or 5. I tried to use my usual method of accelerating with 2 and turning with the pad, but I had to change as I couldn't accelerate through the turns properly. I ended up accelerating with the D pad (by pressing up) and turning using 1 or 3. This seemed to work a little better for me, but each to his (or her) own.

The playability is above average. A lot of effort has clearly been spent in putting all the classic characters in and in making the game play quite a bit like Mariokart. As you are driving around the track you can pick up question mark items which will randomly settle on one power up / aid for your car (just like Mariokart). You can have an oil slick, battering ram, speed up, lightning and a special ability (? Icon) which is different for each driver. The problem is the courses are actually pretty tough. There is a selection of cars to start and of them, lady Penelope is the best by far. The car doesn't turn very well at speed and with the courses so narrow it's hard to overtake. Also, the other drivers on the track are pretty large again making passing difficult. Overall, the game is fun to play but definitely challenging.

The lastability is a little better as the game has a whole host of features. Firstly you play the championship mode with a time limit (which can be an obstacle depending on how annoying the other drivers get). If you finish the championship in any position, another driver will be unlocked. And there are a lot of them, and all have a different special ability. This makes the game very interesting. Also, even though there are only 6 courses, you can play each one in a quick race, but only if you have completed it in first in the championship mode. This is not an easy task and could have you playing the game for a while. The game can save your progress, although sadly not mid race. You can also check your high scores.

A decent racing game which is a little hard at times but has plenty of characters to unlock and is fun to play.