Video Games : Categories : Other Platforms : Dreamcast : Type of Game : Driving & Racing

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Re-Volt

Acclaim
Re-Volt is a remote-control car "simulator" that combines a convincing physics model with arcade elements to create one of the better racing games.
The control pad is a little touchy, so it is probably a better idea to steer with the digital pad. The cars react to the tracks just like their real-life remote control counterparts do: flipping off curbs, absorbing suspension-jarring jumps, and bouncing off competing cars. The tracks are also realistic, letting players race through grocery stores, museums, neighbourhoods and the like. Acclaim even threw in a track editor so intrepid racers can design their own courses.
Don't think that you can outrace the competition by simply droning around the track. Winning requires a combination of driving skill and a mastery of the game's myriad weapons, including oil slicks, bombs, bottle rockets and water balloons. The weapon effects do much to enhance the game's graphical appeal, which is immense to begin with. --T Byrl Baker
Pros:
- Realistic physics
- Slick graphics
- Track editor
Cons:
- Controls are hard to get used to
Ferrari 355 Challenge: Passione Rossa (Dreamcast)

Acclaim

Ferrari 355 Challenge puts you at the helm of one the of most cherished cars of all time; racing around six glorious race courses this game is all about realism.
With three racing modes--training, driving and racing--the learning curve presented allows you to slowly ease yourself into what is a very real and very hard racing game.
The Training Mode--where its advisable to start off--gives you help and guidance through voice and visual commands, showing you braking and gearshift timings, as well as the ideal driving line. The Driving Mode, however, allows you to practice to your hearts content, without the omnipotent voice in the background, and the Race Mode, of course, is where all the action takes place and involves you racing against other F355s to become the F355 champion.
As now standard in driving games, all the usual stunts and tricks are present--championship mode, versus mode and cable modes are all here--but the nice addition is the network option, allowing you the chance to connect via Dreamarena and register your driving data. Once done, you can then enjoy a time attack against two to 16 other virtual players.
With Yu Suzuki, Sega's leading game producer behind the helm, this game comes up with the goods that it promises and although at times is can be gruellingly difficult, this game certainly lives up to its title. --Stuart Miles
Wacky Races

Atari

Wacky Races is your average racing-come-kart-based game for the Dreamcast, similar to other titles before it, Wacky Races is a cross between South Park Rally and Mario 64. Yet like many other games in this genre, Wacky Races doesn't really bring anything new to the racing genre. However, what it does bring, like the others before it, is hours of fun.
All the motley crew from the cartoons are here, including Penelope Pitstop, Dick Dastardly and Muttley even the Slag Brothers'. As well as the characters being present, their all come with their trademark vehicles from the Slag Brothers' rock-solid, relentless Boulder-Mobile to Peter Perfect's turbo-charged, streamlined Turbo Terrific. To add that fighting element that is always present, the cars come with their own individual features to help you get around the numerous courses.
A title that is ideal to keep younger kids busy whilst at the same time not being total alien to the rest of us, this game boils down to a friendly version of South Park Rally, gone is the higher age rating, and in comes the colourful cartoon-esque graphics giving you the feeling that you're actually in the cartoon itself. -- Stuart Miles
Star Wars Episode 1: Demolition

Lucas Arts

A vehicular combat game set "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away", Star Wars Demolition is yet another embarrassingly mediocre title based on the premier sci-fi movie series. A mish-mash of elements from the various Star Wars films, the laughably implausible premise here allows for disparate combatants (Boba Fett, a piloted Pod Racer, and a Rancor, to name a few) to fight in arenas that range from inappropriate (e.g. the swampy Dagobah) to impossible (e.g. the surface of the Death Star II).
It's a shame that the gameplay in Star Wars Demolition isn't even remotely as imaginative as its "what if?" fanboy scenario, as all you've got here is an uninspired regurgitation of similar games (like Vigilante 8), with clunky controls tossed in for bad measure.
Whatever "amusement" one can find in Star Wars Demolition wears thin really fast, making this disc one really expensive Star Wars-themed drink coaster. --Joe Hon
Vanishing Point

Acclaim
Pen Pen

Atari

For those of you who thought the Teletubbies were strange, watch out: here come the Penpens. Bizarre cartoon penguins and half-penguins, the Penpens live on an icy world far away. Once a year, they compete in a grand three-part race of belly surfing, ice walking, and swimming: the TriIcelon. Each racecourse features all three events, tied together with a unique theme such as Candy Land, Haunted House, or Toy Land.
Kids and the young at heart are sure to get a kick out of the goofy Penpen characters. And controls are extremely simple: there's a general action button, used to jump while walking or to stroke while swimming or belly-surfing, and an attack button, which causes your Penpen to try to knock down a fellow TriIcelon contestant. These two features, and the game's cartoonish concept, make Penpen the most child-friendly game available. --Michael Fehlauer
Stunt GP (Dreamcast)

Eon
Trickstyle

Acclaim
TrickStyle is one of the most stylishly pleasing games. And the Dreamcast version really pumps out the pixels with fluid animation that effortlessly follows the hoverboard riders along the tracks. One of the game's designers recently explained that the concept behind the game was for riders to find the path of least resistance, taking one graceful path down the track like "a drop of mercury". This is a great concept but this drop met many a brick wall on its way to uncertain victory. The tracks in TrickStyle are not player-friendly, and neither are the computer-controlled opponents that act more like flawless robots than flesh-and-blood competitors.
Still, this game looks so cool, you can't resist playing it. The requisite tricks from snowboarding games are here, but this time they actually add important power-ups to your repertoire, favouring function over, dare we say, style. To save yourself the frustration of trying to consistently win races, you should enjoy this game by watching the screen while other more nimble or less leisure-time-deficient friends play. --Jeff Young
- Jaw-dropping graphics and animation
- Functional board tricks
- Contemporary styling
- Difficult racetracks
- Unrealistically skilled computer opponents
- Need to place first in order to progress
Walt Disneys World Quest Magical Racing Tour

Eidos
Hydro Thunder

Midway Games Ltd
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX

Acclaim

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater from Activision became a mega-hit, but since then, dozens of companies have tried to bring fringe sports like surfing, sky diving and other "me, too" extreme sports titles to market, all looking to cash in on the craze.
Up till now, none have matched the quality or replayability of Tony Hawk, and only a small few have come close, including this month's challenger, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX from Acclaim.
Instead of using a skateboard to race against the clock and perform dangerous mid-air stunts for points and prestige, this game is all about daredevil BMX bike riding, so players can aim to pull off a "Superman", "Icepick", "Tailwhip" or "Toothpick". In total, there are over a dozen unique environments, such as Camp Woodward's back-breaking "Lot 8" or the San Jose Ramp Club, to name a few.
Fortunately, controlling the rider is a cinch to learn for younger or novice gamers, and there is enough substance here to keep players pedalling long after the goals are met. In fact, along with the "Free Ride" mode, the timed "Session" mode, and the challenging, career-based "Proquest" mode, there are ten different two-player games including our favourite, dubbed "B-M-X", where the second player has to mimic the first rider's moves (remember the H-O-R-S-E variant of basketball?).
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX's visuals are only satisfactory, with nothing really to kick heels about. The 3-D engine brings a few annoying screen "pop-ups" (objects and backgrounds awkwardly disappear on occasion as riders move relative to the "camera") and "clipping" (where the rider gets mysteriously stuck) problems that probably could've been ironed out with a few more weeks in development. And while the mid-air stunts and crashes look painfully real, the game seems to lack a convincing sensation of speed.
But even with its shortcomings, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX is a rad BMX arcade/sim that proves that the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, while still the king, is not the only game in town. --Todd Mowatt
Spirit of Speed

Acclaim

In the "hints" section of the manual for this game, the designers proudly proclaim that it "is an attempt to recreate the actual feel of old-time racing. The handling on these old racers is primitive to say the least." And they're not kidding.
Spirit of Speed 1937 is a racing game set, unsurprisingly, in the 1930s, when the racing of cars was really on the rise. The detail lavished on the game is impressive; obviously the cars are from the period (including classics such as the early Alfa Romeos, and a couple of Bugattis--one of which corners like a house-brick), but there are also things like the design (all shiny Art Deco), and even the soundtrack will have you doing the Charleston round your living room.
The game itself accomplishes perfectly what it sets out to do by simulating what it was like to be racing one of these noisy beasts back in the heady, legendary days of the burgeoning sport.
It's certainly fun to play, but it does take an awful lot of practice before you're comfortable with the cars. Let's face it, we're all used to the sleek, sensitive vehicles found in contemporary racing games like Gran Turismo 2, not these mini Sherman tanks.
There are plenty of modes to play through, with lots of chances to limber up before you take on the big league. The only criticism to make of the game, really, is that it offers nothing new apart from a well-handled recreation of a different era. That said, if you've grown bored with today's racing games then this is certainly a nice change.--David Bailey
Daytona USA

Sega

Daytona USA 2001 is taken from the hugely successful arcade game of the same name, and the chances are you'll already have seen this game a thousand times before as you've walked past any seaside video arcade. Tracks have been taken from the original and the Sega Saturn version, and there are also new tracks that are exclusive to the Dreamcast. The range of cars that you can customise via differences in grip, acceleration, and maximum speed help you get around these great courses.
The game is broken up into single player race mode, championship mode, time trail and, of course, multiplayer. Once in the game, you get to race against 40 other cars. As you'd expect, controls are fairly simple, and although the analogue pad is a touch sensitive, you'll soon be power-sliding around those corners in no time. Even though a steering wheel isn't necessary by any means, it elevates the entire experience to a near-godly level of arcade perfection.
Longevity-wise this game holds plenty of options: the multiple tracks can all be varied in length and direction, and the game also holds secrets, with more cars available as you play your way through the championship mode. Graphics are of the usual ilk for the Dreamcast and you'd be mistaken for thinking that once again you're in the arcade shoving your pound coins in the slot.
If you're looking for harmless car racing on a track without having the worries that perhaps MSR's cities or F355's realism present, then get on your marks, get set, GO! --Jason Denwood
Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation

Ubisoft
South Park Rally

Acclaim

Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman are back, in an all-new game based on the cult American cartoon South Park. South Park Rally pits the various residents of South Park against each other in a go-kart style race, not unlike Mario Kart 64.
Every part of South Park plays a role in the game from the loveable wildlife to even the locations. From this rich source, Acclaim Entertainment Ltd has managed to produce a game that is visually stunning, whilst still staying faithful to Matt Stone's and Trey Parker's creations, making the game instantly recognisable when placed next to its peers.
Completing one of the many gaming modes unlocks hidden characters, additional game modes or tracks stored in the game, making this game high on the replay value.
South Park Rally's game engine may not be as sophisticated as a real driving simulation, but by adding extra controllers, with the option of 4 players, fun will still be had by all.
Fans of racing games and South Park need look no further than South Park Rally. However, for gamers who require a more realistic edge to their racing, Tokyo Highway Challenge may be a better option. --Alex Leung
4 Wheel Thunder

Midway Games Ltd
What do you get when you move the over-the-top gameplay of the water-based racer Hydro Thunder to gritty land-based environments? 4 Wheel Thunder, of course. This pseudo-sequel is a nice-looking game that manages to entertain despite its simplistic gameplay.
4 Wheel Thunder lets players race a variety of big-wheeled off-road monster cars and trucks across 24 tracks. The wide tracks are brimming with shortcuts, so exploration is encouraged. It's necessary to practise for hours to find the proper racing line, as the computer opponents are incredibly difficult to beat until you've won a few races and upgraded your ride.
The graphics are impressive, as 4 Wheel Thunder has detailed vehicles that bounce through several well-rendered environments. Best of all, the frame rate is absolutely smooth regardless of how many objects are on screen. The only thing lacking is deep gameplay. All of your time may be spent picking up the speed-boost power-ups scattered around the track, which give a nice burst of speed for a few seconds. Unfortunately there are no other power-ups, weapons, or anything else to spice up the racing, making the game more monotonous than it should be. 4 Wheel Thunder is nowhere near as over the top as Hydro Thunder, but it's still a lot of fun as a pure racing game. --T. Byrl Baker, Amazon.com
Pros:
- Clean, detailed graphics that run at a smooth frame rate
- Challenging gameplay
Cons:
- Few power-ups mean the racing can get dull at times
- Cheap computer opponents are frustrating until you can upgrade your vehicle
Toy Racer

Sega
San Francisco Rush 2049 (Dreamcast)

Midway Games Ltd

Does tearing down the streets of San Francisco at death-inducing speeds appeal to you? If so, then San Francisco Rush 2049 is your game. However in 2049, the legendary hills and hairpin turns of the City by the Bay have been modified for extreme racing action, if not exactly deep gameplay. Still, it's the blazing speeds and colours that will keep arcade racing fans applying the pedal to the proverbial metal.
If you're a fan of the Rush series, you'll be happy to see that the basic gameplay hasn't changed much. All races take place on tracks that feature wild colours and many twists and turns.
As usual, the secret to winning Rush's races isn't so much driving ability, as it is finding all of the shortcuts on a given track. This time around you can actually make your car glide (by activating hidden wings) whenever it catches some air, a cool feature that feels somewhat under-utilised.
As in previous Rush editions, the stunt mode offers arenas that will test your control of the cars' already ludicrously exaggerated physics. You will perform impossible manoeuvres in arenas that defy even fundamental laws of architecture. The more flips, spins and death-defying landings you pull off, the higher your score.
After the race has been won, you will find that for near-mindless arcade racing/gliding/blasting/stunts, San Francisco Rush 2049 is a highly playable arcade racer that will make fans of the series, old and new, happy they own a Dreamcast. If you've never played a Rush game, this is an excellent intro to the series. --Mark Brooks
Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense (Dreamcast)

Activision
V-Rally 2 - Expert Edition

Atari

There are four modes of play for one player in V-Rally 2, including Arcade, Rally Championship, V-Rally Trophy and Time Trial, which are all excellent. Where the fun starts is in the multi-player option--although this should really be played on a large screen. There are 26 cars to choose from, a garage in which to customise them and 84 tracks of which there's over 450 km of road to race.
Like Sega Rally 2, it has the feel of an arcade game--rather than crashing off the side you will actually roll over, rally style--which makes it that bit trickier. However, once you've mastered the control, which doesn't take too long for rally enthusiasts, V-Rally 2 becomes a highly entertaining game to play. What's more, the graphics are amazing--the panoramic mountain views, golden sunsets, or driving rain really add to the whole experience.
A must-have for those wanting a great fun, arcade style rally game whilst those looking for realistic simulation, try Rally Masters on the PC.