Back in 1995, a small kart racing game was released by developer Maniac Media Productions called SuperKarts. The game was a bit like a PC knock off of the original Mario Kart, but at the time I didn’t have any console and the game had a simple, clean look and the gameplay was addictive. I mention this 17-year-old racer because Bang Bang Racing reminds me of the game that sucked many hours of my time away so many years ago.
Bang Bang Racing has several modes to choose from: Career, Championships, and Free Play, with support for up to 4-player split-screen in Championships and Freeplay. Career mode is broken down into four series of races. Each series has five or more races on unique courses that are modified by shortcuts or reversed layouts. As races are completed additional cars become unlocked. Each car class handles differently and has unique characteristics, such as stronger body frames, better turning and traction, faster acceleration, or better turbo boost. The cars are modeled after real-world cars, but no official licenses are used.
The tracks cover a wide range of environmental themes, including a sunny beach, a sandy desert, a Japanese garden, and a NASCAR-inspired infinity loop. Depending on the race each track may have shortcuts available or barrels that spill oil or water or cause explosions. Flower petals and fallen leaves can cause cars to slip while sand allows tires to get a better grip. Races are a mix of traditional laps, time trials and elimination runs.
While all of this sounds basic and routine, what makes the game fun are the tight controls and the increasing sense of speed as additional cars unlock. Racing is fast and the turns on most every track are tight, but mastering the art of timing brakes and acceleration at just the right moment makes for a compelling and addictive arcade experience. Even in races starting with the player’s car in the last position, the other cars predictably bunch up at the beginning, which makes for a convenient hole to drive through. While gaining a sizable jump early in the race is an advantage, the game does a good job of almost having a rubber band effect without being too obvious. Perfect timing and quick reflexes make for a nail biting, down-to-the-wire finish every time. This style of seat-of-the-pants racing in Bang Bang Racing is what reminded me of SuperKarts from so many years ago.
While there is plenty of fun with both the local split-screen and solo challenges, there are a few aspects to the game that are a bit frustrating. First off, the game has only two camera modes, and neither option comes off without a hitch. One camera angle follows the car with every turn, but given the winding tight curves of each track, the camera spins back and forth to a dizzying degree. The other camera option still spins, but stays on a more fixed track.
The other mildly disappointing aspect to the game is the lack of online multiplayer. While I admit that I’m not a huge fan of online anything, I do enjoy ghost racing similar to what Evolution Studios did with the recent MotorStorm RC or what Criterion has done with Autolog in their take on the Need for Speed franchise. Bang Bang Racing has a scoreboard, but it is limited to total points earned across all races. Don’t get me wrong, the local multiplayer experience is fun and the option for up to four players is very welcome, but having a more robust leaderboard or challenge mechanism for score chasing would add an extra layer to what is overall a solid racer.
With Bang Bang Racing, Digital Reality has released a bright, fun arcade racer that is well worth taking for a spin around your preferred digital download block. The controls are responsive, the track designs are excellent (and there are plenty of devious obstacles to avoid upon mastery of each track), and races are quick to load and each takes only a few minutes to complete, all synching together in harmony to fuel a compelling and addictive experience. Arcade racing fans should find plenty of enjoyment in Bang Bang Racing.
Pros:
+ Quick load times
+ Lots of variations so the tracks don’t feel too repetitive
+ Tight, responsive controls
+ Up to 4 player local split-screen
Cons:
– No online racing
– Camera can be dizzying
Game Info:
Platform: Reviewed on PS3 via PSN, also available for PC and Xbox Live Arcade
Publisher: Digital Reality
Developer: Digital Reality
Release Date: 6/6/2012
Genre: Racing
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Players: 1-4 (offline multiplayer only)
Source: Review code provided by publisher
[nggallery id=2439]
]]>
Xbox Live Arcade racers, start your engines! Digital Reality’s top-down arcade racer Bang Bang Racing is ready to take you for a wild ride on your favorite digital download platform. Push the pedal to the metal, and sign up now for your chance to win a free game code.
Contest Details:
Prize: 1 Xbox Live Arcade download code for Bang Bang Racing. Game valued at 800 MS Points ($9.99).
How to enter: Do at least one of the following: leave a comment below; follow us on Twitter @vgblogger and retweet this message; come ‘Like’ us on our Facebook page and then ‘Like’ and comment on this post, or email us at contests@vgblogger.com with the subject line “Bang Bang Racing.” Only ONE form of entry is required, but entering through multiple channels will increase your odds of winning.
Entry Period: Monday, June 18 – Friday, June 22 at 12:00 PM EST. Contest winner to be selected at random and announced after entry deadline on Friday, June 22.
Bang Bang Racing is available now on PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade and Steam. Keep up to date on all the latest Bang Bang Racing news and updates by following the game on Twitter and Facebook.
]]>
Happy Memorial Day weekend, friends and readers of VGBlogger!
I’m pooped after a long day of spring cleaning, which mainly consisted of about three hours of vacuuming in high humidity 90-degree heat, so I’m going to keep things short and sweet and let you proceed to browse the latest edition of Screenshot Saturday while I kick my feet up and catch up on some gaming for the rest of the night (after watching the end of the Sixers Celtics game 7, if it’s not over already). Datura and Jam Live Music Arcade need finishing up, but those require too much effort for my lazy mood right now. So, I think I’m going to dive into some Starhawk multiplayer and then sneak in some time with Max Payne 3 or Future Soldier. (Or maybe both!)
Check out all the new screenshot galleries and enjoy the remainder of your long holiday weekend!
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PS3, Xbox 360):
[nggallery id=2419]
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PlayStation Vita):
[nggallery id=2420]
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (Nintendo 3DS):
[nggallery id=2421]
DmC – Devil May Cry (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
[nggallery id=2416]
Sleeping Dogs (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
[nggallery id=2423]
The Cave (PC, PSN, XBLA):
[nggallery id=2424]
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (Nintendo 3DS):
[nggallery id=2425]
Mass Effect 3: Rebellion Pack (PC, PSN, Xbox Live):
[nggallery id=2426]
KickBeat (PlayStation Vita):
[nggallery id=2417]
Jet Set Radio (PlayStation Vita):
[nggallery id=2443]
Resistance: Burning Skies (PlayStation Vita):
[nggallery id=2422]
Hitman: Absolution (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
[nggallery id=2427]
Dead or Alive 5 (PS3, Xbox 360):
[nggallery id=2428]
XCOM: Enemy Unknown (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
[nggallery id=2429]
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz (PlayStation Vita):
[nggallery id=2430]
Of Orcs and Men (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
[nggallery id=2431]
Krater (PC):
[nggallery id=2432]
Ys Origin (PC):
[nggallery id=2433]
PlanetSide 2 (PC):
[nggallery id=2434]
Bullet Run (PC):
[nggallery id=2435]
ShootMania Storm (PC):
[nggallery id=2436]
Spec Ops: The Line (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
[nggallery id=2437]
Gungnir (PSP):
[nggallery id=2438]
Bang Bang Racing (PC, PSN, XBLA):
[nggallery id=2439]
Dungeon Defenders – Summoner Hero Class DLC (PC):
[nggallery id=2440]
Auto Club Revolution (PC):
[nggallery id=2441]
Pro Cycling Manager 2012 (PC):
[nggallery id=2442]
Check Out These Links:
- Ninja Theory’s Devil May Cry Slated for January Launch
- KickBeat Brings Breakdance Kung Fu to PlayStation Vita
- LEGO Batman 2 Introduces Open-World Gotham City, Talking Minifigures
- Deathmatch Goes Portable in Resistance: Burning Skies
- Square Enix Reveals North American Kingdom Hearts 3D Collector’s Edition
- Get Ready for Square Enix’s Nintendo 3DS Summer of Fun
- Hitman: Absolution’s Special Edition is for Professionals Only
- Updated Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Infographic
- XSEED Games Now Publishing Ys Series on Steam