Moto Racer

Moto Racer
Developer(s)Delphine Software International
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Designer(s)Paul Cuisset
Composer(s)Raphaël Gesqua
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
ReleaseWindows
PlayStation
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Moto Racer, mislabeled as Moto Racer Gold,[5] is an arcade style[6] motorcycle racing game developed by Delphine Software International and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation. The game was originally to be published by BMG Interactive, but after BMG closed down its U.S. operations[7] it sold the publication rights to Electronic Arts.[8] Critics hailed the game as the first outstanding arcade-style racer to appear on PC, and the PlayStation version in turn was called a strong conversion in reviews.

Gameplay

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Players race on either a motocross bike or street bike, depending on the track.[9] The PC version features a total of eight tracks, four of which are unlockable, while the PlayStation version adds two tracks for a total of ten.[10] A multiplayer option is also available, allowing two players to compete over a LAN or Internet on the PC[9] or split screen on the PlayStation version.[10] The single player modes include "Time Attack" and "Championship". The most laps a player can do is eight on the Practice Race.

Reception

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The game received favorable reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[11][12]

Next Generation said in an early review of the PC version that it "fills the vacant niche of the PC motorcycle racing genre admirably. With luck, more titles will use Direct3D as this one does."[25] PC Gamer similarly said that the game does an exceptional job of satisfying PC gamers' previously unfulfilled desire for an arcade racer, summarizing that it "blends together all the great aspects of the genre into an experience that redefines fun. From ultra-fast graphics to heavenly control, this game delivers on all counts." He added that the game's visuals are impressive even without the use of a 3D accelerator card, and the multiplayer options and unlockables give it a higher replay value than most of the competition.[28]

Critics widely praised the PlayStation version for its sharp graphics[10][23][24][26][29] and strong sense of speed.[10][23][26][29] Tim Soete of GameSpot remarked that "the gut-turning velocities achieved during parts of the game - and the requirement that your reflexes one-up this pace - is definitely where the challenge lies in Moto Racer."[23] The vast majority also applauded the controls, particularly when using analog joypads.[10][23][26][29] Jay Boor of IGN disagreed, saying the realism and precision of the bike's handling frustrated him.[24] Crispin Boyer of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) acknowledged that while the game is too easy on easy difficulty, medium difficulty is rather unforgiving, but he and co-reviewers John Ricciardi and Kelly Rickards found this outweighed by the strong controls and overall fun of the game. EGM guest reviewer David Siller gave Moto Racer one of its few negative reviews, citing poor track design.[10] GamePro gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in both control and sound and a perfect 5 in graphics and fun factor, citing the exhilarating sense of speed, "instant onscreen responsiveness" of the controls, low-key musical score, and variety of tracks and options.[29]

Reviewers for IGN and Next Generation agreed that the PlayStation port, while clearly inferior to the PC version in terms of graphics, is an exemplary conversion given the PlayStation's limitations and provides the same essential gaming experience as the PC original.[24][26] Next Generation said, "Although perhaps not quite as technically proficient as the PC version, Moto Racer for PlayStation loses nothing in the essence of the gaming experience it offers. A remarkable achievement."[26]

During the inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards, the PlayStation version of Moto Racer received a nomination for "Console Racing Game of the Year" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.[30]

Sequels and spin-offs

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Several sequels and spin-offs followed, including Moto Racer 2, Moto Racer World Tour, Moto Racer 3, Moto Racer 4,[31] Moto Racer Advance and Moto Racer DS.

Remake

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In 2011, Anuman and Nobilis released a remake called Moto Racer 15th Anniversary for iOS and Microsoft Windows.

Notes

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  1. ^ Three critics of GameFan gave the PlayStation version each a score of 78, 82, and 85.

References

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  1. ^ PC Gamer staff (September 3, 1997). "Now Shipping". PC Gamer. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on February 18, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2019. A slew of new games have been released to retail outlets over the last few weekends, including...Moto Racer GP...
  2. ^ "Indulge your need for speed". Western Daily Press. August 1, 1997. p. 7. Retrieved August 25, 2023. This week, racing mania hits the shops...Game of the Week: Moto Racer (Delphine Software) For PC-CD Rom Out now.
  3. ^ "Disks + Discs Computer Store". Staffordshire Newsletter. November 14, 1997. p. 28. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  4. ^ "Electronic Arts Ships Moto Racer for the Playstation". February 7, 1998. Archived from the original on February 7, 1998. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  5. ^ GameSpot staff (November 4, 1997). "VGS Game Calendar [date mislabeled as "April 26, 2000"]". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 5, 1998. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  6. ^ "Moto Racer (PC)". Home of the Underdogs. 1998. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  7. ^ "Cleaning Time: Corporations Slim Down". Next Generation. No. 31. Imagine Media. July 1997. p. 23.
  8. ^ "In the Studio". Next Generation. No. 32. Imagine Media. August 1997. p. 19.
  9. ^ a b "NG Alphas: Moto Racer". Next Generation. No. 28. Imagine Media. April 1997. p. 106. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g EGM staff (December 1997). "Moto Racer". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 101. Ziff Davis. p. 204.
  11. ^ a b "Moto Racer for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Moto Racer for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  13. ^ Lombardi, Doug (September 2, 1997). "Moto Racer (PC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  14. ^ Marrin, John (October 17, 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  15. ^ Bauman, Steve (1997). "Moto Racer". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on September 1, 2003. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  16. ^ Goble, Gordon (November 1997). "Hell on Wheels (Moto Racer Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 160. Ziff Davis. p. 298. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  17. ^ Edge staff (May 1997). "Moto Racer (PC)" (PDF). Edge. No. 45. Future Publishing. pp. 78–79. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Edge staff (Christmas 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)" (PDF). Edge. No. 53. Future Publishing. p. 111. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "Moto Racer (PS)". Game Informer. No. 55. FuncoLand. November 1997. p. 79. Archived from the original on January 21, 1998. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  20. ^ Halverson, Dave "E. Storm"; Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Stockert, Bruce "Reubus" (November 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". GameFan. Vol. 5, no. 11. Metropolis Media. p. 20. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  21. ^ Hubble, Calvin (November 1997). "Moto Racer Review (PC)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 22, 2000. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  22. ^ Kaiafas, Tasos (September 26, 1997). "Moto Racer Review (PC)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  23. ^ a b c d e Soete, Tim (January 29, 1998). "Moto Racer Review (PS)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  24. ^ a b c d Boor, Jay (November 3, 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  25. ^ a b "Smokin' (Moto Racer Review; PC)". Next Generation. No. 31. Imagine Media. July 1997. p. 168. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  26. ^ a b c d e f "Moto Racer (PS)". Next Generation. No. 36. Imagine Media. December 1997. p. 162. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  27. ^ "Moto Racer". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Vol. 1, no. 2. Ziff Davis. November 1997.
  28. ^ a b Williamson, Colin (December 1997). "Moto Racer GP [sic]". PC Gamer. Vol. 4, no. 12. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on March 2, 2000. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  29. ^ a b c d Dr. Zombie (December 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". GamePro. No. 111. IDG Entertainment. p. 152. Archived from the original on February 15, 2005. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  30. ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Moto Racer". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  31. ^ Scammell, David (May 4, 2016). "Moto Racer 4 speeds onto PS4, Xbox One & PC in October". VideoGamer.com. Resero Network. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
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