Review Date: May 9, 2021
Release Date: August 23, 1991
Platform: SNES
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Racing
Anecdotes: Well, folks, the streak is over. After covering five straight amazing games to start my reviews of 16 bit games, here I come to a game that isn’t as great. I get the idea of the game, which is a space race type time, but the gameplay just lacks any pizzazz.
Description: Racers can either practice tracks or race AI controlled vehicles in a Grand Prix. Players control a hovering vehicle, known as a car, as they race 5 laps around the track. There’s also a power bar on the screen; hitting the sides of the track or other cars reduces the bar. If the bar becomes completely empty, the car explodes and the player’s game is over. The bar can be slowly refilled, though, as the start of each lap has a pitstop-like area where cars can refill power.
Positives:
-I like the inclusion of the power refill stations, which serve a similar role to pitstops. It presents drivers with an interesting choice. Do drivers keep going at full speed, when the car is tough to steer into the area, as well as getting less power back because they blasted through quickly, or do they slow down and/or stop in that zone to refill fully, but risk losing track position? There are cases where either can be a good idea.
Negatives:
-While the use of Mode 7 graphics did an excellent job of simulating rotation, each track still feels the same. The scenery isn’t anything to marvel over and it seems a lot of the tracks are played over water. Every track is just a concrete surface with lights on either side. There’s no possibility of offroading or even just going off the track.
Screenshots:
Final Opinion: I didn’t enjoy playing this at all. However, I am seeing some great technical advancements and it sure feels like this game laid the groundwork for Super Mario Kart. I like the presentation, but the gameplay left me bored.
Grade: C