High Voltage Hot Rod Show
Encyclopedia
High Voltage Hot Rod Show is a WiiWare
game developed by High Voltage Software
. It was released in North America
on January 19, 2009.
s around a track from an overhead view. The game also incorporates a stunt system to give players boosts that progressively increases their overall speed. The game is played over 6 tracks with 5 racers to choose from. It also includes up to 4 player split-screen offline multiplayer, and a Time Trial mode with online leaderboards.
The game features a number of control options for players, including steering their vehicle with the motion controls of the Wii Remote
alone or with the thumbstick on the Nunchuk, with the game also supporting the Classic Controller and GameCube controllers.
and Micro Machines
, with the style of the characters and vehicles taking inspiration from Kustom Kulture
and the artwork of Ed Roth
and Kenny Howard
amongst others.
The game runs on High Voltage Software's Quantum 3 game engine
that was used in High Voltage's previous WiiWare game Gyrostarr
. The game originally was to feature 8 tracks, but 2 were cut due to Nintendo's WiiWare game size restrictions.
scored the game a 6/10, noting the "inherently thin" content of the game and citing gameplay that follows a "very shallow, by-the-books design" that lacks polish. Wiiloveit.com gave it a 24/30, praising the "skill-oriented" gameplay, and "compelling trick system", but also commented that the game's lack of depth and "extended replay value" was its biggest flaw.
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
game developed by High Voltage Software
High Voltage Software
High Voltage Software is an independent game development company located at Illinois' Hoffman Estates. Established in 1993, it now employs approximately 95 staff members. Red Eye Studios, a motion capture facility, is a wholly owned subsidiary of HVS...
. It was released in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
on January 19, 2009.
Gameplay
High Voltage Hot Rod Show sees players racing hot rodHot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
s around a track from an overhead view. The game also incorporates a stunt system to give players boosts that progressively increases their overall speed. The game is played over 6 tracks with 5 racers to choose from. It also includes up to 4 player split-screen offline multiplayer, and a Time Trial mode with online leaderboards.
The game features a number of control options for players, including steering their vehicle with the motion controls of the Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
alone or with the thumbstick on the Nunchuk, with the game also supporting the Classic Controller and GameCube controllers.
Development
High Voltage Hot Rod Show was inspired by games such as R.C. Pro-AmR.C. Pro-Am
R.C. Pro-Am is a racing video game developed by United Kingdom-based company Rare. It was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System by Nintendo at North America in February 1988, and then in Europe on April 15 that year. Presented in an overhead isometric perspective, a single player...
and Micro Machines
Micro Machines (video games)
Micro Machines is a series of computer and video games featuring toy cars, developed by Codemasters and published on several platforms Micro Machines is a series of computer and video games featuring toy cars, developed by Codemasters and published on several platforms Micro Machines is a series of...
, with the style of the characters and vehicles taking inspiration from Kustom Kulture
Kustom Kulture
"Kustom Kulture" is an American neologism used to describe the artworks, vehicles, hairstyles, and fashions of those who drove and built custom cars and motorcycles in the United States of America from the 1950s through today....
and the artwork of Ed Roth
Ed Roth
"Big Daddy" Ed Roth was an artist, cartoonist, custom car painter, and pinstriper who created the hot-rod icon Rat Fink and other extreme characters. As a custom car builder, Roth was a key figure in Southern California's Kustom Kulture and hot-rod movement of the late 50's and 1960's...
and Kenny Howard
Kenny Howard
Kenneth Robert Howard , also known as Dutch, Von Dutch, or J. L. Bachs , was a motorcycle mechanic, artist, pinstriper, metal fabricator, knifemaker and gunsmith...
amongst others.
The game runs on High Voltage Software's Quantum 3 game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
that was used in High Voltage's previous WiiWare game Gyrostarr
Gyrostarr
Gyrostarr is a sci-fi tube shooter video game developed and published by High Voltage Software. It is one of several video games released exclusively as WiiWare through the Wii Shop Channel...
. The game originally was to feature 8 tracks, but 2 were cut due to Nintendo's WiiWare game size restrictions.
Reception
IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
scored the game a 6/10, noting the "inherently thin" content of the game and citing gameplay that follows a "very shallow, by-the-books design" that lacks polish. Wiiloveit.com gave it a 24/30, praising the "skill-oriented" gameplay, and "compelling trick system", but also commented that the game's lack of depth and "extended replay value" was its biggest flaw.