racing
Latest
Donkey Kong Bongo Blast release notes
What? A brand new Donkey Kong bongo game for the Nintendo Gamecube shows up, and Nintendo doesn't even bother to show it off on their show floor? We realize that the Gamecube is on its way out, but robbing us of the opportunity to play another DK bongo game is downright criminal. The new game features aerial racing, with DK and the crew tilting and turning in response to your brutal bongo bashing. It's no Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat 2 (Wii version, please), but we'll take it. From the official fact sheet:"Donkey Kong and his pals have gotten their mitts on some high-powered Barrel Jets – incredible engines that boost when struck by a pilot. By beating on the DK Bongos controller, players can make their character swoop up, bank side to side and launch attacks on rivals."Check out the video here.
Wii impressions: Tony Hawk Downhill Jam
Unlike previous Tony Hawk titles, Downhill Jam is a standard racing game -- there is no free-roaming, as far as we can tell from the demo and press releases. In fact, it does not feel like Tony Hawk at all -- more so, the game feels derivative of the skateboarding games found in local arcades a few years back. The Wii remote is held horizontally like a NES controller, and the button layout is smart -- the 1 and 2 buttons for jumping and grinding, the D-pad for tricks. The problems begin with steering, which is accomplished by rocking the controller right and left. A slight move does very little, but move it just a little more and the turning becomes chaotic. The controls will no doubt be tweaked and improved upon before launch.Visually, Downhill Jam could hold its own with a second-generation Xbox One title. It's a pretty game, although not as impressive as other Nintendo first- and second-party titles. Load times, if there were any, were not noticeable.Ironically, by breaking from traditional Tony Hawk games, Downhill Jam became even more formulaic. It could be a fun racer, but we feel the title would have benefited from more elements associated with the Tony Hawk franchise. The tracks are moderately fun, with plenty of shortcuts, but the game gains nothing from being a Tony Hawk title.
Logitech launches steering wheels and G-series inputs
Logitech showed up at E3 with a steering wheel of their own, the G25 system. And let us say, this thing is probably nicer than the wheel on our own automobile -- well, when we still had it. Their $299.99 rig features a leather-wrapped 11-inch wheel with 900° rotation, paddle shifters, dual-motor force feedback, and a very nice external clicky six-speed shifter. This'll be ready to roll in early October, long before the July launches of the force-feedback equipped DriveFX Wheel (shown after the break) for the Xbox 360, which will go for $99, and more entry level G-series devices Logitech's rolling out, such as the G3 laser mouse and G11 keyboard (which is basically the G15 with no display).
DS mega list shows Phoenix Wright 2, more
If you thought Reggie was skilled at assaulting posteriors and acquiring names, you'd best beware of the author of one highly comprehensive fact sheet that was pulled from Nintendo's press website. A tipster sent us the document in question and, upon reading the list of currently planned titles and their projected release dates, we experienced something that could best be described as a seizure of delight. If the epic list is to be believed, zany courtroom adventure (and DS Fanboy favorite) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is receiving a sequel in October. The rest of the document also contains a bunch of unannounced titles (none of them from Konami) and some specific release dates, including one for Star Fox DS. Another click will take you to the complete list. Trust us, it's a good read. [Thanks, Ryan F!]
Nintendo Briefing: announced, featured DS games
Though Wii is a big part of Nintendo's E3 campaign this year, the company made it clear today that Wii was only made possible by the commercial success and innovative development of the DS. In short, the dual screen portable has a lot going for it and is what Nintendo called the "current" leader in game innovation. Here's a full list of games that were presented at the briefing:
PGR3 Speed Pack & auto-update hit gas
The previously discussed PGR3 "Speed Pack" update is now available for speedy download on Xbox Live Marketplace at 32.67MB for 400 MS Points. If you don't want to purchase the speed pack for all 400 points, each car is available individually for 60 points with the exception of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage which is available as a free download. The Speed Pack includes the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Audi RS 4, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Lamborghini Gallardo SE, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII FQ-400, Nissan NISMO R34GT-R Z-Tune, Pontiac GTO, Radical SR8, RUF RT12, and the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo.Even better, there's also an sweet auto-update with some major (Nelson) additions:Tournaments – Be one of 64 players to qualify with the best lap time using a car and route that’s predetermined. If successful, move on into the Elimination rounds to compete with 7 other drivers. The top 4 in each race move on until the final race where only the first place driver earns the victory. Tournament Channel (Gotham TV)– Watch other players race in tournament Elimination rounds. “Quit to Lobby” (Abandon option in PlayTime race) Host can now take all participants back to the lobby in a play time session, rather than booting them all back to the Play Time menu. “Lock to Host Car” and “Lock to Host Car Class” (PlayTime | Xbox Live | Create Race | Race Mode | City | Route) are two new toggles that the lobby creator can turn on or off to limit what type of cars his/her competition can use in a play time race over Xbox Live. Previously Played Routes List (PlayTime | Route Creator | Previous Live Routes) – Play other gamers routes that they created in the Route Creator over Xbox Live and store up to 10 in your “Previously Played Routes List”. You have the option to save or discard them and use them in your own sessions. All Cars Position Toggle (More | Options | HUD | Position toggle) – In races modes with multiple cars where target is not displayed, this shows the current place every car in the race is in throughout the event. Hide HUD Toggle (More | Options | HUD | HUD toggle) – This gives the player the option to turn off ALL in race HUD displays in all camera views. Voice Communicator Identifier – In a multiplayer race the name of the gamertag will now flash in the upper left hand corner when speaking into a voice communicator, making it possible to identify the speaker. Online Career rotating car class hoppers – All 8 hoppers in the Online Career (Breakneck Racing, Nurburgring F1 Challenge, Speedway Skirmish, Knockout World Tour, Nordschleife Drivers Club, Urban Rally, Gotham Duelling, and Dusk Til Dawn Racing) now change the required entry car class daily. Wheel Support – Control set for steering wheels and dynamic updates have been added for the Hori, Mad Catz, and Joytech Nitro wheels (all via the More | Options | Controller | Wheel A configuration). Online Qualifier Achievement – 50 gamerscore is now awarded for qualifying, then attempting the first elimination round of a tournament. PLUS: The HUD no longer remains invisible after looking back, hitting the Guide button, and then re-entering the game and it’s now possible to view if you have already purchased a car while shopping in the showroom via the “Cars Owned” tally under the Car Stats section. Now how about support for a wheel with true force feedback? Finally, an important reminder for PGR pros and Gotham TV viewers: The PGR3 Global Tournament punches the pedal on Monday, April 17.[Thanks to Sinz for pretty much writing this post]
Mad Tracks racing to XBLA
K1lla's Xbox Domain has an interview with Dennis Bourdain of Paris-based developer Load Inc. (made up of Ubisoft alums) concerning Mad Tracks, the first racing title for Xbox Live Arcade.This Nintendo-style game has been available for PC in Europe since February. We should see Mad Track's multiple modes and online play on the 360 in June for around 1000 MS points.[via Xboxic]
Top Gear: Downforce announced for DS
Tantalus (you may remember them for Spongebob Squarepants: Yellow Avenger) and Kemco (you may remember them for, um, Batman: Dark Tomorrow) sent me a politely worded press release informing me of their intention to release Top Gear: Downforce for the Nintendo DS. Following the original Top Gear (N64) and the rally-themed GBA sequel (which was rather good), the game is set for release late in 2006 and will presumably involve fast cars going around a track. In other words, something completely different!"This time around we’re attempting something completely different," says Tantalus CEO Tom Crago. "We want to create a racing game that feels perfectly at home on the DS platform, something built from the ground up to exploit the cool features of the hardware." One of the features touted for this top-down, 3D racer is the ability to lay down road hazards via the touch screen, sure to annoy the people you're wirelessly playing against. The press release doesn't say anything about Nintendo Wi-Fi, but we'd expect no less from something exploiting the cool features of the hardware. The DS could definitely use some more racing games in its online garage.
NASCAR Grand National racing coming back to HDNet
Love racing?Love high definition?Get happy, because more of both is coming your way. After inking a deal with NASA, HDNet has announced the broadcast schedule for their third season of NASCAR Grand National Series racing beginning April 20th from Phoenix. I haven't had a chance to see HDNet's NASCAR broadcast, are they up to the usual quality of Fox and NBC's high definition presentations?
Vertu intros first 2 of 6 Racetrack Legends handsets
Ever since their Ascent Motorsport Edition withstood five rollovers by a Porsche Boxster, we've taken Nokia's Vertu luxury handset division much more seriously, and you'll never again hear us questioning the logic of spending $X on one of their products (where X = some obscenely large number). The company's newest designs, called the Racetrack Legends series, each pay tribute to one of six of the greatest circuits on Earth and are limited to 1000 units apiece, with outlines of Italy's Monza and Britain's Silverstone etched onto the back of the first two releases. When you're in the market for a Vertu phone, features are surely not your top priority, and the Legends series meets those expectations with nary a notable spec other than the inclusion of Bluetooth and tri-band GSM connectivity. Likewise, if you have to ask about pricing on these, you're probably not part of the target demographic.[Via Luxist]
360 driving peripherals: feedback wanted
Hardcore fans of the 360's numerous racing titles are no doubt grinding their gears over the knowledge that the first driving game peripheral available for the new console, the Joytech Nitro Racing Wheel, does not support true force feedback (recalling one of the original Xbox's most annoying faults). Even more frustrating, Pelican's Xbox 360 Force Feedback Racing Wheel, which nominally does have the missing feature, exists only in the Amazon.com phantom product zone. Anyone else sensing a lack of drive in this area?Leave your own forceful feedback and tell MS that we expect more from our coffee table steering wheels.
Atari suffering auto envy?
Atari had the misfortune of releasing a new batch of Test Drive Unlimited screenshots on the same day the first Project Gotham Racing 4 info hit the web. Unfortunately, there's only so much driving game buzz to go around the track these days. Do you think TDU will have the polish to knock PGR3 out of the pole position, at least until PGR4 comes out complete with burnt rubber smell-o-vision?
First review of Burnout: Revenge for 360
1UP has posted the first review of Burnout: Revenge for the 360:People who have played the current-gen version should get the 360 version if: They didn't play it to completion, but wanted to. They played it to completion, but love Burnout a lot. They have a nice HDTV and stereo system. They are addicted to achievement points and playing on Live. People who haven't played the current-gen version should get the 360 version if: They are breathing. I assume most of our readers fall somewhere in the first category and all in the second. See you at the cash register this Tuesday.
Monster-truck shots from TOCA Race Driver 3
Codemasters' TOCA Race Driver series has had its fans in the driving-simulator circuits, but it has often been overshadowed by its more popular rivals. Until GT starts adding monster trucks, though, TOCA will have a shot at ruling at least one category with its upcoming third iteration. There are other things to be gleaned from the racing-game preview (such as the six main racing categories and varying levels of graphics-rendering expertise), but we know why you're reading you post: you want more monster-truck madness! Check out the new pics starting here, with an overview of the handful of relevant screens to be found currently over here. You'll get your chance for some careless driving in a 4x4 this February. [Thanks, JamesO]
First OutRun 2006 screens
In celebration of the OutRun franchise's 20th anniversary, Sega will be releasing OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast in March for the PS2, PSP, Xbox, and PC. Kikizo has the first screen shots of what is basically an updated installment of last year's OutRun 2 for Xbox. In this special edition, the arcade release of OutRun 2 SP has been included along with online play for up to six players. The PS2 and PSP versions will also feature unlockable bonus content when the two systems are connected. Although GameSpot reported last month that the Xbox version had been scrapped in favor of a PC release, Kikizo is now confirming that OutRun 2006 will in fact appear on Xbox.
When Japanese chart numbers attack!
Okay, now this is just getting ridiculous. It seems that I spend at least half of my time each day writing paragraphs that poignantly explain the results of another sales chart (where do they all come from?) that involves the DS. They all go something like this:This week in Japan, the DS sold a million pentatillion gazillion* units, crushing all competition and laughing maniacally before tossing their twisted bodies onto a pile of humiliated silicone chips and deceased pixels. The immense display of strength can largely be attributed to the addictive properties of Mario Kart DS, which sold a trillion** units, and a steady diet of the fofofillion*** unit selling Animal Crossing: Wild World. Though the top-selling game (with 10 omomillion**** sold) in Japan was the PS2's Rogue Galaxy (a delectable cel-shaded RPG romp), the DS was the ultimate hardware victor.* Actual figure: 299,000** Actual figure: 219,000*** Actual figure: 121,000**** Actual figure
Joystiq Review: Mario Kart DS
Joystiq gives its belated review of the popular Mario Kart DS released on November 14, 2005 for the Nintendo DS handheld. Considered by many to be the Mario Kart all-star edition, Mario Kart DS is a fast paced, well designed, easy-to-pick-up, and engaging game. Though suited for the casual gamer, hardcore players should enjoy this title as well for its pure competitive racing. Mario Kart DS is also the first title to feature Nintendo's free wi-fi connection service. It is as easy as playing someone in your very own room, and though it has it's setbacks with limited online options, the game is arguably the most enjoyable racer on any system, to date.
Sega OutRun 2006 coming to PS2, PSP
Get ready to hop back into your Ferrari and pull off some mean powerslides with a hot babe at your side. Sega has confirmed that OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast for PS2 and PSP will be released in March. The third outing for Sega's popular racer will feature 30 stages, a revamped mission structure, six-player online competition, and 12 licensed rides from the house of Enzo. No love for Xbox owners this time around, but there will be unlockable content for those who connect the PSP and PS2 versions of the game via USB cable.
Free taxi ride for MarioKart DS
Nintendo signed a deal with a London taxi company to give away free rides in an effort to promote their new Mario Kart DS. Tickets could be found in London newspapers; unfortunately, this deal seems to have been a one day affair. Considering the price of a London cab ride, this couldn't have been a cheap promotion. [Thanks, The_Wind_Waker8]
Multiplayer themed Mario Kart DS advert
Now that Nintendo has committed to online gaming with its Wifi connection service for the DS, it wants to show the world. To this end, Nintendo has released an advert for Mario Kart DS, which highlights the title's multiplayer aspect. The ad demonstrates the game's multiplayer features through several people watching a Nascar race on TV. When one person throws his food in disgust at the screen, he's surprised to see that the hotdog goes straight through the screen. The renegade hotdog disrupts the driver's view, and he swerves to avoid crashing. It's not long before a bunch of other people are throwing pizza, ironing boards and squirting mustard at the cars. It's an entertaining representation of the things you can do to slow down friends in a multiplayer game of Mario Kart DS. [Thanks, Shenzou]
