Hot Wheels: Stunt Track Challenge & Hot Wheels: World Race
Score: 67% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Destination Software Inc. Developer: Destination Software Inc. Media: Cartridge/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Racing/ Racing (Kart)
Graphics & Sound: If you’re looking for a good Game Boy Advance title for your “under age 12” gamer, Hot Wheels: Stunt Track Challenge & Hot Wheels World Race represents a significant value. Previously released as two separate titles, this pack is essentially two games in one. Both Stunt Track and World Race feature similar pseudo-3D graphics styles. If you’re the picky sort, the graphics in these titles won’t impress you very much, but should be acceptable for its intended audience. The sound effects are much the same. If you like the digital sounds of skidding tires and crashing cars, this game is up your alley, otherwise nothing will impress.
Gameplay: While both games are essentially racing games, World Race features the “purer” racing experience of the two, while Stunt Track would prefer you to blow up your opponent than simply outrace them. Both offer multiple play options such as Game Show Mode, Test Track, Quick Race, League, and Time Trial. Stunt Track also features Stunt School, a kind of tutorial mode that teaches about all the aspects of the game. Unfortunately, it is easilly one of the worst tutorial modes I've ever seen in a game; it is blaringly boring and I doubt any gamer of any age will be willing to subject themselves too it.
Difficulty: Thankfully, neither game is really complicated enough to necessitate a player going through any tutorial modes. You can pick up and play with relative ease. Though not strictly complicated, both games are likely too difficult for people not already used to such style of game, and feature rather vicious initial learning curves (as many racing games do). Once you’ve gotten past that initial hump, nothing is required of you that is too daunting. Your kids should eat the challenge up.
Game Mechanics: One aspect of both games I have a beef with is the password system. While there are certain games which, given the audience, can get away with using passwords (like Polly Pocket: Super Splash Island), Hot Wheels is not one of them. Anyone who could actually get anything out of this game is already well acquainted with the process of saving your game using save files; so passwords are wholly unacceptable. The game also features two player support, but unless you have two Game Boys, two copies of the game, and two people to play it, that doesn’t mean much. There are certain games worth doing that for, and this isn’t one of them. What’s the point of a budget title if you have to buy two? Hot Wheels: Stunt Track Challenge & Hot Wheels World Race is nothing that will make the gaming world turn its head. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not even a great game. But I doubt changing the face of gaming was the point here. It’ll keep the rug rats occupied for a time, and that’s worth any price.
-Alucard, GameVortex Communications AKA Stephen Triche
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