GDC 09: ExciteBots: Trick Racing Impressions
Even though it only got announced just a short time ago, the release date for ExciteBots: Trick Racing is fast approaching. In fact, it's so close that Nintendo had a "very near complete" demo to show off at their GDC booth. As the bizarre-sequel to the cult hit launch title ExciteTruck, you'll find the primary mechanics of Truck inside of this follow up, such as giant ramps erupting out of the ground and smooth motion controlled steering, but the added features seen here are anything but your average racer sequel material.
The most noticeable transformation is that the title replaces conventional vehicles with a line up anthropomorphic, shape-shifting robots. The roster includes bats, turtles, grasshoppers, mice, frogs and an assortment of other creatures. Once the race has started, players will encounter a wide range of "activities" that can occur mid race. These microgames were evenly paced through the demo levels that I was able to play and keep the second and third lap of each race fresh. The examples that I was able to find had the bots barreling through a frame of bowling pins, using a giant hammer to crush opponents, and even using a tambourine. Most of the microgames could be played with the A button, a few of them used the Wii remote's motion sensitivity. I found the use of motion here to be a mixed bag. Some were as simple as pushing the remote forward while others required strange circling moves that momentary broke the pacing of the race.
ExciteBots's visuals exceed the level of detail seen in Truck with plenty of set dressings to sell each of the game's exotic locales, even if it comes off a little exaggerated. While it may not compare well with the graphics seen on HD console racers, the tracks that I saw were some of the lushest environments that I've seen on Nintendo console. The Nintendo rep on-hand was quick to mention that the game will feature local 1-on-1 multiplayer, but wasn't sure if there were any 4 player options. Thankfully, players will be able to enjoy online races with six players [insert snarky gripe about Nintendo friend codes here]. While ExciteTruck was a fun new approach to arcade racers, it seems as though Bots is more than ready to go the extra mile to push the boundaries of bizarre racing even further. The game becomes available in on April 20th in North America, with Euro and Japanese releases soon after.
Game-Boy
Posted to GDC, Hot Stuff, Video Games on 27 March 2009
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