Hot Wheels Turbo Racing
Encyclopedia
Hot Wheels Turbo Racing is a racing video game for the Nintendo 64
and PlayStation released in 1999. It features vehicles based on the Hot Wheels
series of toys. It also features Kyle Petty
's 1999 NASCAR
stock car, as it was sponsored by Hot Wheels. It also features music from artists like Primus
and Mix Master Mike
.
As seen in the hint screens, using the controller to perform various stunts from jumping off points gains 'turbos' which allow short bursts of speed. The car in use will take damage based on running into obstacles or other players. Icons found around the track give differing performance enhancements.
The game requires a memory card in order to save progress.
" by Metallica
thanks to its CD-based media having a much larger amount of memory space than the N64 cartridge. However, due to the systems' limitations for 3-D visuals, the graphics in the PS1 version are very noticeably pixellated and have a lot of polygon tearing (a.k.a., jagged edges). Environment pop-up and draw-in distance (fog) is slightly more noticeable than the Nintendo 64 version.
The Nintendo 64 version includes six songs, though each of them have been reduced in length and are almost entirely without vocals. The sound quality for these music tracks have also been downgraded and are slightly muffled. This version is also missing the song from Metallica. This version does include the many voice clips that are played when a player executes a stunt. Also, this version uses Anti-Aliasing
so the graphics are smooth and most of the polygon tearing has been eliminated. In addition, this version has slightly less pop-up and a slightly improved draw-in distance, and so the player is able to see a bit more in the distance.
gave the PS1 version 6.8 out of 10 with criticism of the graphics stating there was "lots of flat shading and over-use of primary colors [which] diffuse the game's radical feel." They gave the N64 version though 7.7 out of 10 despite little criticism of the color scheme graphics.
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
and PlayStation released in 1999. It features vehicles based on the Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
series of toys. It also features Kyle Petty
Kyle Petty
Kyle Eugene Petty is a former American NASCAR driver and is currently a co-host for NASCAR RaceDay and panel member for NASCAR Smarts which are both on SPEED. He also commentates for TNT in the summer. He is the son of racer Richard Petty, grandson of racer Lee Petty, and father of the late Adam...
's 1999 NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
stock car, as it was sponsored by Hot Wheels. It also features music from artists like Primus
Primus (band)
Primus is an American rock band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde and drummer Jay Lane. Primus originally formed in 1984 with Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth, later joined by Lane, though the latter two departed...
and Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike is an American turntablist and contributing member of the Beastie Boys.-Life and career:Born Michael Schwartz in San Francisco, California, Mix Master Mike is of German and Filipino descent. He first came to prominence upon winning the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc...
.
Gameplay
The focus of the game is racing one of a selection of cars through various themed tracks. Secret tracks can be accessed by winning and new cars can be used by finding the 'new car' bonuses hidden in each stage.As seen in the hint screens, using the controller to perform various stunts from jumping off points gains 'turbos' which allow short bursts of speed. The car in use will take damage based on running into obstacles or other players. Icons found around the track give differing performance enhancements.
The game requires a memory card in order to save progress.
Version differences
The PlayStation version featured full-length, CD quality songs including "FuelFuel (song)
"Fuel" is a song by Metallica. The theme of the song could be applied to the fact that people like to drive their lives too fast...
" by Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
thanks to its CD-based media having a much larger amount of memory space than the N64 cartridge. However, due to the systems' limitations for 3-D visuals, the graphics in the PS1 version are very noticeably pixellated and have a lot of polygon tearing (a.k.a., jagged edges). Environment pop-up and draw-in distance (fog) is slightly more noticeable than the Nintendo 64 version.
The Nintendo 64 version includes six songs, though each of them have been reduced in length and are almost entirely without vocals. The sound quality for these music tracks have also been downgraded and are slightly muffled. This version is also missing the song from Metallica. This version does include the many voice clips that are played when a player executes a stunt. Also, this version uses Anti-Aliasing
Anti-aliasing
In digital signal processing, spatial anti-aliasing is the technique of minimizing the distortion artifacts known as aliasing when representing a high-resolution image at a lower resolution...
so the graphics are smooth and most of the polygon tearing has been eliminated. In addition, this version has slightly less pop-up and a slightly improved draw-in distance, and so the player is able to see a bit more in the distance.
Car listings
- Bi-Sector
- Cat-a-Pult
- Deora
- Double Vision
- Dragster
- Evil Weevil
- Formula 5000
- Go Kart
- Gulch Stepper
- Hot Wheels 500
- Hot Wheels Car
- Jet Threat
- Lakester
- Mongoose
- Power Pipes
- Power Pistons
- Power Rocket
- Purple Passion
- Rash 1
- Red Baron
- Rigor Motor
- Road Rocket
- Rock Buster
- Shadow Jet
- Silhouette II
- Slideout
- Snake
- Sol-Aire CX4
- Speed Blaster
- Splittin' Image II
- Stagefright
- Stealth
- Street Rodder
- Strip Teaser
- Super Van
- Sweet 16 II
- Thunder Roller
- Tow Jam
- TwinMill
- TwinMill II
- Way 2 fast
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...
gave the PS1 version 6.8 out of 10 with criticism of the graphics stating there was "lots of flat shading and over-use of primary colors [which] diffuse the game's radical feel." They gave the N64 version though 7.7 out of 10 despite little criticism of the color scheme graphics.