There’s something comforting about the name of those dinky little cars of yore. Maybe it’s just the ‘micro’ bit that makes them seem all cute and un-imposing. But I digress…
The Mega Drive Micro Machines titles are etched in the gaming memory of almost all 20+ gamers out there.
That multi-player cartridge letting four of you race around a toilet bowl and all those screams of derision as you shoved your mildly inebriated chum off the edge of the kitchen table, are remembered as fondly as those opening bars of Sonic The Hedgehog’s Green Hill Zone theme.
And after the re-emergence of Sensible Soccer thanks to publishing giants Codemasters, next up is the Micro Machines series.
So, is it a rebirth of a classic? Or the obscene flogging of a slaughtered horse?
They say:
GameSpot: “Even at a slightly reduced price, V4 just isn't worth adding to your collection.”
EuroGamer: “We're certainly not going to moan about the re-emergence of Micro Machines - it's still as fun and addictive as it ever was.”
We say:
In technical terms, just like the aforementioned Sensible Soccer title, don’t expect to be blown away.
The graphics themselves are solid enough, but being as spoiled as we are with all the realistic textures and dazzling artistry that today’s modern masterpieces possess in abundance, you cant help but feel a touch let down by the gaudy ill chosen colours, and lack of background detail.
Equally as poor is the in game camera, which gives you far too little time to twist and turn your way past oncoming dangers when you’re at the front of the pack.
Once you’ve managed to memorise the track patterns, you’re sorted, but those initial attempts can be marred by an alarming depth of frustration.
It's worth trying the included track editor to whip up your own fiendish designs and laugh manically as you beat all comers as they flail miles behind, stuck behind a multitude of well placed erasers.
For simplistic racing fun with a few pals after a night at the pub, it’s hard to dissuade you from picking up a copy of Codemasters latest re-imagining of an old classic.
But the poor camera and lack of real single player depth means it’s a mere novelty at best.
Like this? Try these:
Ridge Racer - PSP
Wipeout Pure - PSP
Outrun 2006, Coast 2 Coast – PS2, PSP, Xbox
FORMAT REVIEWED
PS2
OTHER FORMATS
PSP, PC, Nintendo DS
POSTED...
Thu 6 Jul 2006 at 10:07am
