Speed Racer: The Videogame

by Warner Bros

Product Features

• Play as Speed racer or more than 15 other characters from the film
• High-speed action at over 350 MPH as you race through amazing stadium tracks featuring loops, corkscrews, jumps and more
• Smash, jump, flip and spin with massive ?car-fu? combat
• Split-screen multi-player racing lets you take on?or take out?your friends!
• This is the true film experience in your control. Race at top speeds a battle for the WRL cup as you take on your opponents with ?car fu?!

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0013EGSIU
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 5 x 0.8 inches ; 1.6 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: May 6, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,684 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #11 in Video Games > Nintendo DS > Racing

Product Description

Platform: Nintendo DS

Amazon.com

Get behind the driver's seat with this Speed Racer based on the Wachowski Brothers film with its garage of combat-ready rides and see how you fare in "car-fu style" action. Take on the role of the characters from the film, getting behind the wheels of each character's signature vehicles to experience firsthand the film's high adrenaline, combative racing style. The film itself is based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida. A live-action family adventure, Speed Racer follows the young racecar driver Speed in his quest for glory on and off the track in his thundering Mach 5. Choose between three different variations of the Mach 5, each one equipped with several gadgets that are unique to the car like grip tires, rotary saws, a periscope, a deflector, and auto jacks. All of the gadgets have a specific purpose. The rotary saws are used to cut down any trees that get in the way. By activating the auto jacks, the Mach 5 can jump over obstacles to discover shortcuts. Discovering the shortcuts is the key to getting the fastest times on all three tracks and mastering the Normal and Endurance modes. If you play the game well enough, you will be able to unlock new vehicles, including Racer X. Get behind the wheel and go, SPEED RACER, go!

This is the true film experience in your control. Race at top speeds and battle for the WRL cup as you take on your opponents

Key Features Play as Speed racer or more than 15 other characters from the film. High-speed action at over 350 MPH as you race through amazing stadium tracks featuring loops, corkscrews, jumps and more. Smash, jump, flip and spin with massive "car-fu" combat. Split-screen multi-player racing lets you take on...or take out...your friends! This is the true film experience in your control. Race at top speeds a battle for the WRL cup as you take on your opponents with "car fu"!

Drive the Mach 5 View Image Amazingly Fast Racing View Image

Product Description

Get behind the driver's seat with this Speed Racer based on the Wachowski Brothers film with its garage of combat-ready rides and see how you fare in "car-fu style" action. Take on the role of the characters from the film, getting behind the wheels of each character's signature vehicles to experience firsthand the film's high adrenaline, combative racing style. The film itself is based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida. A live-action family adventure, Speed Racer follows the young racecar driver Speed in his quest for glory on and off the track in his thundering Mach 5. Choose between three different variations of the Mach 5, each one equipped with several gadgets that are unique to the car like grip tires, rotary saws, a periscope, a deflector, and auto jacks. All of the gadgets have a specific purpose. The rotary saws are used to cut down any trees that get in the way. By activating the auto jacks, the Mach 5 can jump over obstacles to discover shortcuts. Discovering the shortcuts is the key to getting the fastest times on all three tracks and mastering the Normal and Endurance modes. If you play the game well enough, you will be able to unlock new vehicles, including Racer X. Get behind the wheel and go, SPEED RACER, go!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 'Speed Racer: The Videogame' is the rare movie tie-in game that is actually well done., May 14, 2008

By 

Satori - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Speed Racer: The Videogame (Video Game)

I went into 'Speed Racer' with no real expectations. I had heard that the Wii version was fun but I had not seen anything about the DS version. I have to say I have been very impressed.

Thankfully the game does not try and recreate the movie but instead focuses on the racing by setting the game after the events of the movie. There are no movie spoilers in the game except for driver names/cars and track locations.

'Speed Racer: The Videogame' is the rare movie tie in game that is actually well done. I was a little worried that a high speed racer on the DS, based off the loose and chaotic racing seen in the movie, would be impossible but thanks to some great design choices by the developer this game really shines as the fastest racer on the DS. You really feel like your going 300 mph while wiping around curves and taking jumps. On top of that, the boost feature is really well done. It is set up in such a away that conservation is rewarded with a "zone" moment where the track in essence straightens out for you and you just blaze by your opponents. Since you can't use this feature all the time it does not become unfair but instead a strategic item that can be used to move up in rank or to make it though a particularly difficult area. The name of the game is "Speed Racer" and you most certainly get the speed part.

The game is fast but that is only a part of the game. As fast as the game is, it still controls well once you get a handle for the drifting. Unlike some other "extreme" racing games 'Speed Racer' does not have an energy bar. You can hit as many walls as you like and not suffer an explosive demise. That said, you will do much better if you avoid the walls and that is where drifting come to play. The drifting feels very loose at first but after awhile you learn how you use it and you start racing like in the movie. Is it weird at first but your car can drive sideways, backwards and at any other angle. The disadvantage of this is that you move slower. All you have to do to fix that is tap the X button and you are back driving straight. You can also do any number of spinning tricks off of ramps, half pipes or by jumping to fill your boost meter. These controls really server to recreate the sort of frantic and chaotic feeling the movie had in a manageable and fun way.

The game does have a focus on combat, but not weapons. Instead you can ram and spin into opponents or use the power of "Car Fu." Since you can't be destroyed in this game combat serves as a way to slow people down or protect your own lead. The can tap X to spin and hit opponents into wall or at certain moments press the B button to preform "Car Fu." "Car Fu" takes place in a "Zone" style mode were your sole focus is in getting you icon closer to the middle then your opponent. This mode could be really annoying but instead remains fun thanks to is limited use and strategic element. If you attack an opponent and lose and they get a boost, leaving you in the dust.

The only really complaint I have the the presentation. The game play is the main focus of the game (as is should be) and as such the menus are functional but spartan. They work but there is no polish. I hope that if this gem sees a sequel the developer have more time to make the presentation of the game a bit more polished. Until such time I am more the satisfied with having a great racing game with somewhat boring menus.


Pros:
The game promotes reply by having a good number of total track, unlockable characters and custom paint jobs for all the cars. There is also multiplayer but it requires multiple carts. Is is fast and fun and really manages to capture the spirit of the movie. Little to know pop-up in game. Great Graphics for the DS with bright and vibrant colors, good car models and a great sense of speed.

Cons:
Menus are merely functional. Music is average but not annoying. Multiplayer requires multiple carts. Tracks can be hard to tell apart. Unlockables don't feel very rewarding and provided no incentive for replay.

Conclusion:
This is the rare movie tie-in that you can fell comfortable get for yourself or giving as a gift to a fan of the movie or racing games in general. It is fast, fun and creative with a real sense of speed. With no violence it is appropriate for all ages. A real treat.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speed Racer good for kids..., November 24, 2008

By 

J. Chase "drmangel" (WV, USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Speed Racer: The Videogame (Video Game)

This is one video game that is child friendly or for those tech game challenged. My 5 yr old loves it. No matter what he does he doesnt die, the game just keeps him playing.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good game, October 25, 2008

By 

Artman "MasterOfReality" (Phila,Pa.) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Speed Racer: The Videogame (Video Game)

Bought this for my 6 year old daughter for her b-day and she likes it alot.Not her favorite game but she does play with it.Basically a driving game with different courses to choose from.VERY colorful and exciting.Fast paced.Recommended.

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