Tokyo Extreme Racer


Developer: 

 Genki

Publisher: 

 Crave Games

Players: 

 1-2

TV System: 

 NTSC

Accessories: 

 Jump Pack

Style: 

 Racing





Racing will be the prime aspect of graphics showing for any next generation game system. This genre is know to really display and test the power a system beholds. Many racing games lack extras due to direct ports of arcade games or a real racing challenge, but offer extremely breathtaking graphics that made you wish you could pull speeds in such a fashion legally. Tokyo Extreme Racing is one of those games.

Now I can't say this game isn't different. This game has features never thought of in any other racing game. You aren't racing from last place to get to first in a certain amount of time. No no no, not in this game. You have rivals out there. You have speed thirsty, adrenaline hungry rivals out to prove that they're number one. All of these rivals are out just cruising the highway waiting for any speed nut to dare challenge them in a racing duel. Folks this is where you, the driver, comes to play. Rivals are marked by a letter "R" on top of the car. You simply challenge them by simply pulling up to them and flash your headlights. This maneuver will now start the racing duel. Your goal is to stay ahead of your rival for a certain amount of time. Both competitors will have an energy bar located on top of the screen. The car that is behind will lose power on the bar. The first one who loses the power will lose the race. The more you are ahead or behind, the faster the power bar drains. Racing rivals will earn you money towards new parts to your car or a purchase of a new car. It's a shame that the repetitive gameplay may turn you away from the game after about thirty minutes. Your complete goal is to race all cars that belong to many different teams and you must beat them all. That totals nearly 115 cars in all. In meaning, you are doing the same thing a lot of times..all on one track…WOW!!! ( Hence the sarcasm here )

Well if you purchased a Dreamcast, it may be because of graphics. This game will not disappoint anyone in the graphics department. A Tokyo highway has never looked this good. ( As if I would know this anyway ) The graphics take place in a beautiful lighted City that is detailed by huge skyscrapers and wonderfully detailed lights. The graphics at times are more pleasant when watching another player play as then you may enjoy all the scenery. Car reflections are absolutely amazing. The lights reflect off the automobile perfectly. Your car doesn't just simply light up when passing a light. It reflects the lights accordingly to the position and brightness of the lights. This detail is simply amazing. For instance, flash your lights on some vehicles and you'll see the amazing amount of detail put forth on this game. I must add that this game runs at a very smooth 60 frames per second with very little slow down when about 4 cars are put on the screen at one time. Also, graphics in two player are equally as good as the full screen mode, but with a little more slow down at times. All in all, it's graphics like this that make you chuckle on the fact that people would rather wait for something new that is 400 dollars instead of enjoying the future today!

What do you get when you have a racing game that has top-notch graphics and loads of beautifully rendered cars that reflect real cars? Well, you may get a poorly described sound engine that takes no advantage of the advanced sound specifications. Right from the title music to the in-game music, makes you wish you were a composer yourself to show the "composers" how it's done. At times the music may be satisfactory, but many of it is unnoticeable and could be much better. Just listen to the options music and you will be wondering why they even included such music anyway. It's not music that makes a racing game right? It's the sounds of cars and scenic environments. Well this game offers as much sound effects as Sega's original Sega Rally does. You hear a faint engine noise and maybe some bumping noise when you run into a wall. These known outputs display the fact that Genki was looking more into a graphic proneness game while lacking time for a sound experience like no other.

Ever play Sega Rally? Do you enjoy the controls of Sega Rally? Well if you answered yes to both of these questions, then you'll probably adore the bump and bump control of Tokyo Extreme Racing. I personally love the control of the car. It is smooth as it gives the car an image of weight and realism. Braking though is non-existent and there is no wreckage included in the game. It is a strictly bump and maneuver way of control. Sometimes bumping a certain way into the walls will help you pass and defeat your rival. The way you improve your car will determine how your car will be controlled. So basically it is up to you to improve the way your car is handled.

Finally we end this review on what game extras this game offers. There are few different modes that attempt to add extras to this game, but as usual with most arcade like racers, falls extremely short on the concept of the word "extra". You have a SP Mode that all you do is race rivals that rival you. You don't have to search and challenge them, they just go ahead and challenge you. You must race several of them in order to beat out this mode. In this mode you may also select many cars to choose from. You have a quest mode. This mode is the prime aspect of this game. Why? Well, I really don't know. Maybe it's because in this mode there are added little options to mark a lastability tag on this very short thrill ride on this game. You start off with what seems to be a Ford Escort, which makes you wish already you had enough money to buy a cool car. This mode you are pretty much in a search and destroy mission. You search for rivals, challenge them, beat them, and then win money for new supplies. That is your quest. A very long, repetitive quest much indeed. There is a two-player mode too. Pretty simple, no real features in this mode. Race your opponent and win…that explains the typical two player mode of most racing games. Last you have a practice mode. You practice…enough said.

IN THE FINISH: You have a racing game that'll make your friends without a Dreamcast wet their pants, but with a lack of innovative options and repetitive gameplay, lets hope they don't play for more than 30 minutes.

Graphics: 9.5/10

Great night graphics with a great since of realism plagued with some slowdown

Sound: 4.5/10

What sound? There is sound? Wow, haven't really noticed.

Control: 8.5/10

Good responses and realistic control. Lacks a decent braking system.

Lastability: 3.5/10

Repetitive gameplay that'll last about a near hour at most for some.


Review By: Chris Vantu



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