Speed Racer: The Videogame for Nintendo DS Reviews & Ratings by IGN

Videogames based on movie licenses don't usually turn out well, likely because software houses must work within the constraints of a relatively miniscule development cycle to release their titles simultaneously with their Silver Screen counterparts. But occasionally something good comes from these cross-industry collaborations. The Chronicles of Riddick for Xbox comes to mind. And now, Speed Racer for DS. The Virtuous Studios-created racer reminds me in nearly every way of Nintendo's own F-Zero series were it somehow cross-bred with Ridge Racer. The result is a handheld experience that runs blazing fast and looks great, too, all for a bargain bin price tag.



The title is, of course, based loosely on the Warner Bros. movie of the same name, although you'd barely know it.There's a rendered cinematic to be found upon booting the project, and it does adequately set up the action to follow, but beyond that you won't any worthwhile cut-scenes or story snippets -- it's all gameplay, good or bad. I'm not afraid to admit that I stand with a small demographic of fans who actually enjoyed the Speed Racer movie and would have also appreciated a more meaningful implementation of the story within the game. You still race through a tournament in the title, but the developer hasn't even bothered with victory animations, let alone a tangible story thread, which is disappointing.



But if you couldn't care less about story and just want to race, you're in luck because the DS game is all about it. A simple, but effective control scheme nurtures high-speed competition and allows for the movie's trademark "car-fu" -- essentially mid-level automobile combat. Speed's Mach 5 sways effortlessly back and forth as tracks scream by at a lightning-fast pace. You'll be able to drift Ridge Racer style, which not only controls well and feels good, but rewards boost upgrades as you do it. Meanwhile, you can perform a variety of spins and stunts as you soar off jumps and over half-pipes strewn throughout the 19 unique tracks.





The winning combination of tight controls and chaotic track designs reminds me of the F-Zero franchise. It doesn't hurt that Speed Racer also runs at 60 frames per second throughout, another commonality with Nintendo's famous futuristic series. The difference, of course, is that there are only six drivers competing on any given course in the handheld endeavor; whereas F-Zero is known for incorporating more vehicles in matches. Still, I have to give credit to Virtuous Studios for developing a slick 3D engine that allows for blazing fast races without sacrificing on details -- the level designs are both pretty and varied -- or, more importantly, fluidity.



A few courses in, you'll be very comfortable with the straightforward control scheme and will find yourself easily drifting around corners, spinning into enemies to knock them out of your way, jumping off half-pipes and over ledges while flipping and turning to gain boost power, and generally having a good time. The car-fu element is, though, a little too simple and effortless for my liking. As you near a competitor, you merely tap a button to cue a mode in which you need only press X or Y in timing to a visual prompt and you will take out your racing foe and keep moving. It works, but it offers no real challenge.



The single-player mode is thrilling while it lasts, but the game doesn't offer too many extras to keep you glued to your handheld. There is a local WI-Fi multiplayer mode for up to six players -- a very welcomed addition -- but you will unfortunately need six separate copies of the title to experience it because there's no DS download play. Meanwhile, forget about unlockables like preproduction art or storyboards from the movie.

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