Speed Racer: The Video Game (Wii)
Movie tie-in games, with a few exceptions, are generally not that great and given the mixed response to the 2008 Speed Racer film, the same was expected here. The Nintendo DS version actually ended up surprising quite a few critics and fans for its 60 FPS performance and addictive gameplay. But on the other hand, the Wii version wasn’t particularly well received – it scored a 69 Metascore out of 30 critical reviews. Criticism ranged from terrible AI and production values to lack of content.
As such, the car-fu system – which saw players avoiding collisions with other drivers and performing acrobatics to collect boosts and eventually enter The Zone – was unique. It also didn’t hurt to have 20 characters from the film that could be selected with different stats and the ability to enter alliances to sabotage rivals. While not having an overwhelming number of user reviews, they speak positively about the game’s action. Who knows – maybe with more development time, it could have developed into something truly special. As it stands though, it’s an underrated title for its niche fan base.
