Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing

Last updated
Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing
Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing.jpg
North American cover art
Developer(s) Raylight Studios
Publisher(s)
Director(s) Fausto Cardone [1]
Producer(s) Massimiliano Di Monda [1]
James Davis [1]
Chip Bumgardner [1]
Programmer(s) Fausto Cardone [1]
Artist(s) Raffaele Grande [1]
Composer(s) Gianni Ricciardi [1]
Series Hot Wheels
Platform(s) PlayStation Portable
Release
  • NA: July 2, 2007
  • EU: August 24, 2007
  • AU: September 27, 2007
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player
Multiplayer

Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing is a 2007 racing video game developed by Italian company Raylight Studios and published by DSI Games for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) exclusively. The game is based on the Hot Wheels toy line which manufactured by Mattel.

Contents

Gameplay

Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing features 26 vehicles based on Hot Wheels toy cars. The game features 11 courses, each one resembling real Hot Wheels toy racetracks. The courses are divided across four areas: Death Valley, Jungle, Metropolis, and Volcano. Each level features a major trap or enemy that must be avoided, such as giant boulders, a giant scorpion, and a giant octopus. The player can use turbo boosts to speed up in races, and slow-motion to safely drift around corners; both abilities are depleted as they are used, and can be refilled by landing specific giant jumps or by avoiding the traps and enemies in each level. Performance upgrades, including better acceleration, improved handling, and new tires, can be won from races. [2]

Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing features four gameplay modes. In Quick Race, the player may choose any track on which to race. In Survival mode, the player must win races that become increasingly difficult. In Time Trial mode, the player must race against a time limit. In Collector mode, the player is the sole vehicle and must collect golden medals scattered around a racetrack. The game also includes a local multiplayer mode for up to four people. [2] [3]

Release

Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing was released in North America on June 29, 2007. [4] The game was subsequently released in Europe on August 24, [5] and in Australia on September 27. [6]

Reception

On review aggregator Metacritic, Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing has a score of 60, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [7]

Michael Pereira of IGN called the gameplay "brutally unforgiving", saying it "is inconsistent with its harshness. You can be way ahead of everyone for two laps, barely nick a corner in the third, and find yourself in last place. It's kind of like F-Zero GX without the tight controls to justify the difficulty. There is no warning of where these cars come from or how they even got so close. Not to mention that your numbered position doesn't actually stay on the screen -- it annoyingly flashes in the upper left hand corner at the most random times. You will have to memorize the courses to get anywhere in this game". Pereira felt that the gameplay's reliance on turbo boosts and slow motion "is actually its biggest problem", and wrote that "all of the graphics are muddy, and it's sometimes hard to tell where the road ends and walls begin. Some of the later stages are worth unlocking and there is some genuine creativity to some of the traps, but the frustration involved in unlocking them might dissuade people. Each stage is a set of races with each race having some requirements to proceed (you must place first, in the top three, etc). However, if you mess up just one race, the entire thing is over and you have to go back to the first race. It's pretty annoying to perform perfectly in two races and then have your hopes and dreams crushed in the third". Pereira also wrote that the game's problems "are magnified" in its Collector mode: "Fall down a hole, and you reset at awkward places and can't grab certain medals until the next lap; some medals can only be grabbed with boost (boost you don't always have); and the worst thing is that you have to redo an entire series if you miss a medal on a track. Oh yes, miss one medal (out of thirty or so) on track No. 4 and you'll have to go back to the first track". [2]

Louis Bedigian of GameZone praised the "great" controls and "super-intense" speed, and was also impressed by the "mind-blowing, jaw-on-the-floor gameplay" that he felt was more typical of a PlayStation 2 game. Bedigian wrote that "this racer, with its Extreme-G -style thrills and F-Zero GX-crushing gameplay is everything a player – young or old – looks for in a racing game. It makes all previous Hot Wheels titles appear to be nothing more than a child's plaything". Bedigian noted the game's complete lack of vehicle damage and wrote "though we love to see explosions and body damage, it's doubtful that any amount of destruction would have made this game better. Chances are it would have taken away from the overall speed of the game, which is generally a non-stop experience". However, Bedigian criticized some of the game's courses for being too dark in color: "Since the PSP has limited picture-tweaking features, you can't lighten the screen to entirely eliminate the darkness. The opposite wouldn't have been better – make the game too bright and you'll drive us crazy. But while this was something I could tolerate, I'm not sure an impatient eight-year-old will feel the same way". Bedigian also criticized the game's small number of courses, but felt that its replayability was adequate compensation. [8]

Frank Prove of GameSpot said the game could be considered a "no-frills knockoff of Need for Speed: Underground . [...] Generally speaking, the racing action is solid. However, there aren't a whole lot of different tracks or competitions, and the 3D graphics don't hold a candle to A-list racers like Ridge Racer or Wipeout ". Provo criticized the game's lack of online connectivity for features such as multiplayer, and noted the game's average sound effects and music. Provo also wrote that "aside from the jump ramps and falling rocks, the courses aren't actually all that interesting. The textures are simple and muddy, and there aren't many identifiable landmarks along the raceways". Provo felt that the game's "biggest problem" was its lack of content and concluded that there were better racing games available for the PlayStation Portable, writing that "Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing isn't a bad game by any stretch, but you should probably pass on it unless you're a Hot Wheels fanatic or have a pathological need to get another racer for your PSP". [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2</i> 2002 video game

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 is a 2002 racing video game, the sixth installment in the Need for Speed series and the sequel to 1998's Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit. It was developed by EA Black Box for the PlayStation 2, and by EA Seattle for GameCube, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows. It features cars from various high-performance and exotic car manufacturers. Players can compete in races using these cars, or opt to play as a police officer and pursue speeders.

<i>Crash Nitro Kart</i> 2003 video game

Crash Nitro Kart is a 2003 kart racing game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance; versions for the N-Gage and mobile phones were released in 2004. It is the second racing game in the Crash Bandicoot series after Crash Team Racing and the first game in the series to feature full motion videos.

<i>Pac-Man World Rally</i> 2006 video game

Pac-Man World Rally, known in Europe as Pac-Man Rally, is a kart racing game in the Pac-Man series. It was published by Bandai Namco Games, and released on August 22, 2006, for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, PlayStation Portable, and Microsoft Windows. An Xbox version of the game was cancelled, though a preview of the game can be found in the Xbox release of Pac-Man World 3.

<i>Ridge Racer 7</i> 2006 racing video game

Ridge Racer 7 is a racing video game developed by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation 3. It was released in Japan and North America by Namco Bandai Games in 2006 and PAL territories by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2007. The seventh mainline installment in the Ridge Racer series, it was developed as a launch title for the console. The game has around 40 cars, many of which return from Ridge Racer 6 and the PSP incarnations of the game. There are also 22 courses, available in forward, reverse and mirror mode. The game runs at 1080p native resolution and 60 frames per second. It also features Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and free online gameplay via the PlayStation Network.

<i>Quantum Redshift</i> 2002 video game

Quantum Redshift is a video game for the Xbox console, developed by Curly Monsters and published by Microsoft Game Studios in 2002. The game is a futuristic racing game with the addition of combat and character rivalries that influence competitive races. Quantum Redshift was conceived as a spiritual successor to the racing game Wipeout and was developed by several former Psygnosis staff who worked on the game. Publication of the game was troubled, with Curly Monsters staff voicing creative differences on packaging and marketing decisions made by Microsoft Game Studios. The game received mixed to average reviews from critics, with praise directed at the game's visual presentation and smooth framerate, and criticism towards the lack of distinctive and original features in its design and gameplay compared to its contemporaries. The game was commercially unsuccessful, leading to the discontinuation of a planned sequel and the dissolution of Curly Monsters in 2003.

<i>Excite Truck</i> Racing video game first published by Nintendo in 2006

Excite Truck is a racing video game developed by Monster Games and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It features malleable environments and tilt-based controls. The game was one of the Wii launch titles in North America. It is the third main game in the Excite series and the first to feature vehicles other than motorbikes.

<i>Drome Racers</i> 2002 video game

Drome Racers is a Lego racing video game developed by Attention to Detail and published by Electronic Arts and Lego Interactive. It was released in 2002, for PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows, and later ported to GameCube. A spin-off was also released for Game Boy Advance, which was published by THQ. It is the third Lego racing game, released a year after Lego Racers 2, which was also developed by Attention to Detail.

<i>Burnout Dominator</i> 2007 video game

Burnout Dominator is a 2007 racing video game developed by EA UK and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It retains the core gameplay of the series, as players race at top speeds through dozens of World Tour events testing "reckless skill-based" driving techniques.

<i>Hot Wheels Extreme Racing</i> 2001 video game

Hot Wheels: Extreme Racing is a racing game for the PlayStation, released in 2001. It features vehicles based on the Hot Wheels series of toys.

<i>Nicktoons Racing</i> 2000 video game

Nicktoons Racing is a Nickelodeon crossover racing video game. The game was first developed by Pipe Dream and released for the Game Boy Color, while versions for different platforms were released in subsequent years. Most versions were developed by Software Creations with the exception of the Game Boy Advance version, which was developed by Crawfish Interactive, and the arcade version, which was developed by Chicago Gaming.

<i>MotoGP 07</i> 2007 video game

MotoGP '07 is the fifth game in THQ's MotoGP series for Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and mobile phones. The purchase of the Climax Racing studio, developer of most of the previous titles in the series, from Climax Studios by Disney Interactive Studios led to speculation over who would be developing the game. However, a promo video on the Xbox Live Marketplace confirmed that the then-renamed Black Rock Studio were still involved in MotoGP '07.

<i>Midnight Club: Los Angeles</i> 2008 video game

Midnight Club: Los Angeles is a 2008 racing video game developed by Rockstar San Diego and published by Rockstar Games. It is the fourth and final installment in the Midnight Club series before it was discontinued in January 2010. The game features 43 cars and 3 motorcycles. The open world map of Los Angeles is the size of all three cities from the previous installments combined. After several delays, Midnight Club: Los Angeles was released in October 2008.

<i>M&Ms Kart Racing</i> 2007 video game

M&M's Kart Racing is a racing video game for the Nintendo DS and Wii, based on the M&M's license and developed by Frontline Studios in co-production with Calaris Studios. Both studios responsible for this game’s development were headquartered in Poland. It is the 5th of the 7 M&M's video games. The game allows players to play as one of the M&M's Spokescandies on 15 race tracks. The game was widely panned upon release.

<i>Hot Wheels Stunt Track Driver</i> 1998 video game

Hot Wheels Stunt Track Driver is a racing video game developed by Semi Logic Entertainments and published by Mattel Media for Microsoft Windows. It is based on the Hot Wheels toy franchise, and was released on October 15, 1998. A Game Boy Color version, developed by Lucky Chicken Games, was released in 2000.

<i>MotorStorm: Arctic Edge</i> 2009 video game

MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is the third game in the MotorStorm series of video games, developed by Bigbig Studios and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2, which was released in 2009.

<i>Split/Second: Velocity</i> 2010 racing video game

Split/Second: Velocity is a racing video game developed by Black Rock Studio and published by Disney Interactive Studios for Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Announced on 11 March 2009, the game was released on 18 May 2010 and was later released for OnLive in June 2011.

<i>Pulse Racer</i> 2002 video game

Pulse Racer is a video game developed and published by Jaleco Entertainment in North America for the Xbox in 2002. The game is a futuristic racing game featuring the addition of a speed boost system in which players "use their own life force" to gain acceleration in races. Pulse Racer also featured a novel track creation system, INFINITRAX, in which players could generate random tracks by setting a number of custom parameters. The game was released to a poor critical reception, with reviewers faulting the game's unoriginality and lackluster execution of its novel gameplay additions, including the speed boost system. The game remains one of the lowest-rated titles for the Xbox.

<i>Need for Speed: Most Wanted</i> (2005 video game) 2005 open world racing game

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a 2005 racing video game, and the ninth installment in the Need for Speed series. Developed by EA Canada and EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts, it was released in November 2005 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance and Xbox 360. An additional version, Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0, was released in the same year for PlayStation Portable. The game focuses on street racing-oriented gameplay involving a selection of events and racing circuits found within the fictional city of Rockport, with the game's main story involving players taking on the role of a street racer who must compete against 15 of the city's most elite street racers to become the most wanted racer of the group, in the process seeking revenge against one of the groups who took their car and developing a feud with the city's police department.

<i>Hot Wheels Micro Racers</i> 2000 video game

Hot Wheels Micro Racers is a racing video game developed by Unique Development Studios (UDS) and published by Mattel Interactive for Microsoft Windows. The game is based on the Hot Wheels toyline, and was unveiled at the American International Toy Fair in February 2000, as a competitor to Micro Machines. Hot Wheels Micro Racers was released on April 28, 2000, and came packaged with a free Hot Wheels car and poster.

<i>Armada F/X Racers</i> 2000 video game

Armada F/X Racers is a 2000 video game for the Game Boy Color, developed by Metropolis Digital Inc. and published by Metro3D. The game is a futuristic-themed racing game based on the 1999 Dreamcast game Armada.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Hot Wheels: Ultimate Racing - Credits". AllGame . Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Pereira, Michael (July 18, 2007). "Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing Review". IGN . pp. 1–2. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Provo, Frank (July 30, 2007). "Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing Review". GameSpot . Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  4. ↑ McElroy, Justin (July 2, 2007). "New games this week: Ninja Gaiden Sigma edition". Engadget . Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  5. ↑ Leach, Gracie. "Hot Wheels: Ultimate Racing - Overview (European)". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  6. ↑ Kozanecki, James (September 24, 2007). "AU Shippin' Out September 24-September 28: Halo 3, FIFA 08, and Quake Wars". GameSpot . Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Hot Wheels: Ultimate Racing". Metacritic . Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Bedigian, Louis (July 16, 2007). "Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 11, 2007.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.