Have you ever played a game that delivers on its core concept so thoroughly that you don’t think it could possibly be improved? It doesn’t necessarily have to be the most compelling concept; it could be quite mundane, but it convinces you that no matter how much budget could get thrown at the idea, there’s no way to top it. That’s Parking Garage Rally Circuit.

I’m not trying to tell you that this is the best racing game of all time. I rarely speak in such enthusiastic hyperbole. However, I will say, with some confidence, that Parking Garage Rally Circuit is the absolute best Sega Saturn-s??tyle parking garage drif?t racing game ever released.

Parking Garage Rally Circuit (PC [Reviewed])
Developer: Walaber Entertainment LLC
Publisher: Walaber Entertainment LLC
Released: September 20, 2024
MSRP: TBA

Parking Garage Rally Circuit is what I’d describe if you asked me to guess the synopsis of The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift based on what I remember from the trailer I saw back in high school. The only image I have of that movie is cars drifting up a ramp?? in a parking garage. I’m not even sure if I’m remembering that correctly.

I love drifti??ng. Or, at least, I love arcade-style drifting. I mostly judge racing games entirely by how well the drifting in them feels. But as much as I love drifting, I love retro hardware more. More specifically, I’m passionate about people’s passion for older hardware. I love to hear people talk enthusiastically about old consoles and computers, even the crappiest ones imaginable. I love it more when people try ?to represent it as authentically as possible.

One of the first things that greet you upon starting up Parking Garage Rally Circuit is a number of graphical preset options presented like different versions of the game, such as the original hardware or PC port. While this essentially just changes options like scanlines, aspect ?ratio, and draw distance, it puts those things in the context of the time period. If you don’t care for authenticity and want to be boring, you can individu??ally tweak settings to your liking.

However, even if you widen your screen, you’re not going to fully lose the aesthetic of chunky polygons, fake transparency, pixelated textures, and a selection of ridiculous ska tunes. Parking Garage Rally Circuit is really committed to mid-�0s racing games. It’s not Sega Rally Championship �it’s not trying to be �but it looks the part.

But looking the part is one thing. Racing games need to play well. It’s not really the sort of genre that can get by on artistic intent. Unless it’s Road Trip on PS2. Thankfully, Parking Garage Rally Circuit is like butter.

As I mentioned, I’m a bit of a drift queen. In video games, anyway. I don’t even have my license in reality. However, I was able to get a feel for Parking Garage Rally Circuit very quickly and was drifting up parking garage ramps like that Tokyo Drift trailer in no time at all.

As the name implies, each of its 8 tracks are set inside parking garages. Sort of. I think the last level is technically a ferry, but I digress. You might wonder how much variety you could possibly get from that theme. As it turns out, it’s a lot. Each parking garage is in a different city and range from simple two-story structures to sprawling complex?es. Hazards like snowplows and falling boulders mix up the tight cornering, and hazardous jumps across towering structures keep you co?ncentrated on your steering.

You don’t race aga??inst live competitors, just their ghosts. That is to say, it’s a time trial, with your goal being to r??each the top time. As much as I like running people off the road, I’m not sure a grid would really work in such tight environments. The challenge of carefully drifting through extremely narrow turns is enough to keep you focused. If you’re feeling competitive, there is multiplayer, but, again, it’s all ghosts.

The only real downside I can point to in Parking Garage Rally Circuit is its brevity. There are eight tracks, and after you get a medal on ?each one of them in a class, you are provided with a new car with different performance and pushed through the tracks again with slight variations. It’s decent on paper, but it only took me a little under two ?hours to clear. I had a healthy pile of gold under my belt, but still more to clear. Your mileage will vary.

On the other hand, there are also secret cheat codes buried in the game. I’m told there are 10 of them, but I was only provided with two. I was not able to guess any others, but they’re supposed to be discovered and proliferated by the community. These unlock “secret cars, tracks, or gameplay modifiers.�/p>

Despite its brevity, Parking Garage Rally Circuit packs a huge punch. It’s not just its perfectly emulated retro aesthetic or its near-flawless execution of its central concept, either. It’s just so damned happy to be here. You can feel the passion behind it, and that energy is felt in all its facets. It knows what it is, and it’s laser-focused on presenting it in the most finely-tuned way possible. I cannot fathom any game topping it in the niche of racing games contained entirely within parking garages. I’m not really sure what the best way to wrap up this review is, so let’s try this: Parking Garage Rally Circuit is miles more fun than parallel parking.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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Playground Games has announced a brand new game mode in Forza Horizon 5. Titled Hide and Seek, ??this mode will pit five "Seekers" against one "Hider", who will do their utmost to escape the pursuit.

The trailer marked the beginning of Xbox's Gamescom 2024 livestream. Coming September 10, Hide and Seek will be available as a free update for all. While the core gameplay will be based very much on the childhood activity we all participated in, there w?ill be a few adaptations.

You'll have to make strategic calls in Forza Horizon 5's Hide and Seek mode

In Hide and Seek, you can't just outrun your Seekers if you become a Hider. A special meter will be available at the bott??om of your screen, and as the gauge fills up, you can camouflage yourself. As a result, you can even hide in the open and make a f?ool out of those pursuing you.

But beware: drive too close, and the hiders can ping your location. This will help them track you down before approaching the Endzone. From what I understood, the Endzone will be visible as a bright-orange location, but it will ??take time to activate. While hiding might be the right choice in certain situations, be ready to run when required.

Forza Horizon 5, released in 2021??, continues to get more content in festivals and seasons. I am more than intrigued to try out Hide and Seek when it goes live on September 10, 2024. The mode will also have its own reward track, which will include XP from the games you play. Playing continuously will also help you to unlock a play streak and get bonus XP as well.

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Astrolabe Games and Frozen Lake Games have announced that retro-styled Old School Rally is releasing into Early Access on July 19, 2024.

If you asked me to tell you where Old School Rally draws its styling from, I’m not sure I could tell you beyond “the �0s.�It reminds me of Top Gear Rally, but that had circuitous tracks rather than linear ones. It doesn’t really look much like Sega Rally Championship, which is generally what I think of when it c?omes to old school rally games.

Instead, Old School Rally seems to be “old school�mostly in aesthetic, which it does rather convincingly. That’s what reall?y drew me to it; I’m a sucker for the chunky polygons and unfiltered textures of the PS1 look. Beyond tha??t, it looks like a capable racing title.

The Early Access release already has a lot of featur??es under its belt, including time trial ghosts and racing wheel support. Frozen Lake has also made some tweaks and improvements based on feedback they gai?ned from a recent demo.

The developer is aiming to have the Early Access period last less than a year. At launch, they say it’s a “robust experien??ce with numerous cars and tracks to enjoy and various modes including Rally mode and Time Trial mode.�They’ll be adding more cars and tracks over time.

Old School Rally releases on Steam Early Access July 19, 2024 on PC.

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Modern Horizons is the next major Forza Horizon 5 festival, and the Jurassic Pa??rk jeep is one of the iconic vehicles that's now available in the game.

Playground Games has nicknamed this festival's vehicles as the "Decade's Greatest Cars" and there can be few disagreements with that claim. In fact, the Universal car pack is one of the my favorite paid DLCs launched by Playground Games. However, there's plenty in it for those who might not be wanting to spend real-life money on the car pack. There's a new car to b??e unlocked every week while the festival is live.

How to get the Jurassic Park car in Forza Horizon 5

The new cars set to be added as ??part of Modern H??orizons can be broken down into two broad groups:

• Premium DLC pack cars
• Grindable cars from earnable from the festival

Unfortunately, the Jurassic Park car is part of the Universal Icons Car Pack. In fact, it's part ?of five different cars, can be unlocked by purchasing the DLC. The positive aspect is that you don't ?have to grind for these vehicles, and start driving them immediately once the pack becomes available.

Both th?e new content and Universal Icons Car Pack is now available within the game. He?re's the complete list of all the vehicles included in the DLC:

• 1992 Jeep Wrangler Sahara from Jurassic Park
• Time Machine from Back to the Future
• Time Machine from Back to the Future 2
• Time Machine from Back to the Future 3
• KITT from Knight Rider

How to get the Modern Horizons cars in Forza Horizon 5?

By grin?ding the festival, you'll be able to unlock up to five different?? cars.

• 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse - Earn 20 points during week 1 Summer season (June 20-June 27)
• 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - Earn 20 points during week 2 Autumn season (June 27-July 4)
• 2021 Toyota GR Yaris - Earn 20 points during Week 3 Winter season (July 4- July 11)
• 2023 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S - Earn 20 points during Week 4 Spring season (July 11-July 15)
• 2023 Kia EV6 GT - Earn 80 points during Modern Horizons festival playlist

Additionally, players will be able t?o get new collectibles and outfits as well by grinding the playlis??ts.

The post How to get the Jurassic Park ca??r in Forza H??orizon 5 Modern Horizons festival appeared first on Destructoid.

We're about to gain access to even more retro classics on Switch (and several other platforms) come January. The Top Racer Collection features remastered SNES racing games to p?lay, and it's se?t to launch on January 11, 2024 on Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One/Series S|X, and Steam.

The Top Racer Collection will feature the popular �0s racing trilogy Top Gear, Top Gear 2, and Top Gear 3000. First hitting the shelves in 1992, the SNES high-speed racing series gained popularity among fans across the globe. Top Gear’s original Japanese title, Top Racer (a moniker that is now being ported over to the entire collection), is being adapted for the collection’s upcoming release. Although the series was competing with other popular racers such as Mario Kart and F-Zero, Top Gear still left an impact on the gaming industry.

With Top Gear being one of the most memorable racing trilogies in gaming history, fans will get a chance to play a wider range of classic racing games. Beyond that, they’ll also be able to enjoy the full Top Gear experience with newly implemented gameplay modes and filters. Both online and offline multiplayer m??odes will be available for players to choose from. And of course, the great soundtrack that accompanies the game will be featured as well.

Top Gear meets Horizon Chase

Alongside the Top Gear trilogy, an all-new collaboration game is coming as part of the collection. Top Racer Crossroads is a special crossover with Horizon Chase. The crossover is set to feature aspects of both games within the collection. This is a treat for Switch fans specifically: Ninte??ndo already has a wide range of classic titles for fans to enjoy, but adding more SNES games to the platform any wa??y possible is a great thing.

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Hundreds of levels, vehicles, drivers, and other rewards

LEGO 2K Drive might not even be off of the starting grid just yet, but that hasn't prevented publisher 2K Games from announcing four seasons ??of post-release content, as well as the premium-paid "Drive Pass."

Starting in June, LEGO 2K Drive will begi?n its rollout of four seasons of additional content, each containing ??"100 levels" as well as new vehicles, drivers, stickers, sounds, brick packs, and other rewards. Most of this content will be free to all players as each season arrives, but an additional paid "Drive Pass" will let brick-laden drivers gun through an array of additional rewards, which will include exclusive vehicles sponsored by real-world brands such as Dodge and Nissan.

//twitter.com/LEG??O_2K_HUB/status/1654124346632470529?s=20

2K also notes that the LEGO 2K Drive seasons will not have time limits, so anyone picking up the free or premium Drive Pass will not be forced to grind through to the end before any specific deadline. More details as to the contents of the seasons will be released as each respective event approaches. LEGO 2K Drive, first revealed back in March, adapts ??the globally popular brick-based toy to the raceway, and will allow players to engage in local and online races, while also building vehicles, playing mini-games, and taking on a full single-player story campaign.

LEGO 2K Drive launches May 19 on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Multiple editions of the title are now available for pre-order, ranging from a standard $60-70 edition to a princely $120 "Awesome Rivals" Edition.

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Rainbow beach racer

I’d be surprised if Victory Heat Rally didn’t catch your eye. It’s an intoxicatingly colorful and energetic-looking title. Based on the aesthetic from Sega Super Scaler racers like Power Drift and Rad Mobile, it’s a far cry from the mostly drab modern racing market. I’ve been following it for what feels like forever, but it’s taken me some time to get around to the demo.

Thankfully, Victory Heat Rally is more than just appearances. Without hyperbole, this is one of the most compelling racing titles I’ve played in a long time. It’s fast, vibrant, and deftly captures the attention-grabbing magic of old arcade titles. Just by following its development, I knew that Victory Heat Rally was going to be a worthwhile title, but I couldn’t imagine it would be this good.

[caption id="attachment_373870" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Super Scaler power

The most recent demo, Shakedown Demo Gold, is actually a considerable slice of gameplay. While it to??ok me a half-hour to see what I wanted to see, it was more than I expected it to give up. Of the 12 planned racers, three of them are featured in the demo, but only one is unlocked from the start. I lost count of how many tracks there are, but at least more than four of the planned 36.

There’s a career mode that takes you through a series of challenges ranging from avoiding traffic cones to straight-up racing. This culminates in a more standa?rd grand prix event.

After?? finishing that, you can noodle around with arcade mode or time trial. T??here’s also multi-player present in the final version. As I said, it won’t keep you going indefinitely, but it’s more than just a quick sampling.

[caption id="attachment_373871" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Stay off my lawn

While Victory Heat Rally bases itself on the visuals of Super Scalers, I’m reasonably certain the tracks are fully 3D. Early videos showed it using sprite scaling for the tracks, but this seems to have been dropped somewhere down the line. The track design does still harken back to Power Drift with its looping design and tall bridges. Likewise, the cars are all still 2D, as is the set dressing a??t the side of the road. The aesthetic is still there, even if the technique isn’t.

Another carry-over is an absolutely mad came??ra system. It tilts and rolls in with the car in a way that isn’t seen very often today. Probably because it likely induces motion sickness in anyone vulnerable. I don’t have a problem with it, possibly since I’ve had a lifetime of watching movement with a stationary body. However, anyone who does have trouble with the effect can turn it off in the options.

For people like me who prefer young people to stay off their lawn, there’s a pixel scale option in the video menu. While this may be for performance purposes, I liked playing with it off. It essentially makes the sprite rotation less smooth and distant objects feel more pixelated. Sort of like a low-resolution 2D game. What I’m saying is it heightens Victory Heat Rally’s retro look. If you ??love the arcade aesthetic, make sure to switch that off in the opt??ions.

[caption id="attachment_373872" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Happy wheels

But this wouldn’t matter if the driving wasn’t up to standard, and thankfully, it’s great. The drift button is separate from the brake, whi??ch is as the Gods of Inertia always intended. The Brake is, after all, a vestigial feature; no one actually uses it.

Drifting isn’t just a good way to get around curves. Victory Heat Rally also takes a page from recent Mario Kart games and builds up boost while your wheels are shaved down by the pavement. It’s a very similar system in which t???he longer you hold the drift, the larger your boost will be coming out of it.

While the demo only features three cars, you can tune each one to your liking. I didn’t get that c?reative, but again, it only took me a half-hour to get through the campaign. Still, you should be able tune the cars to your liking. I just want to see the colorful graphics.

[caption id="attachment_373873" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The Lost Arcade

Victory Heat Rally feels like this branch of racing games that just never grew. We got 3D graphics, and then everyone seemed to agree that we’re just going to make simulators now, and truly unique and outlandish racing games are the outlier. Motorstorm and Burnout are basically as ridiculous as cars get recently, and both of those properties are just dead. We’ve still got Mario Kart, so that’s something.

I want Victory Heat Rally to be a massively influential title that spu??rs on a wave of cartoony arcade racers. It probably won’t be, but talking enthusiastically about something is all I can really do to try and make that a reality. I just love it so much, and I can’t wait until the full version comes out.

I don’t know how long that will be. The Shakedown Demo Gold is a few months old, but there isn’t much indication on when the finished version is coming. Things have slowed down because the core developer has become a parent, a?nd they’re trying to practice healthy working habits. I can respect that, but I’m really looking forward to playing more.

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Cruis'n across the kitchen

Several years ago we covered Mario Kart Live, the "mixed reality" RC-car-like game from Velan Studios.  I had a blast playing it (and my family even ended up buying a Luigi cart to race with our kid), but you could clearly see that it was a bit limited in what it was trying to do. Well, Velan is back with Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, and it feels like a m??ore fully-realized experience. ??Given the cost, that's ideal!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Q0fYl0pH0

Hot Wheels: Rift Rally (iOS, PS4, PS5 [reviewed])
Developer: Velan Studios
Publisher: Velan Studios
Released: March 31
MSRP: $129.99 (standard edition), $149.99 (collector's edition)

[gallery columns="4" size="large" link="file" ?ids="371554,371557,371558,371555"]

Hot Wheels: Rift Rally's setup is pretty painless

Just like Mario Kart Live, Hot Wheels: Rift Rally uses a remote control car (with a camera) that interfaces with software to simulate a racing game in a real life environment. While Mario isn't poking out of the driver's seat being cute, this iteration is cleverly called the "Chameleon Car," which can morph into tons of different classic Hot Wheels racers in-game.

By placing four "gates" throughout your house, you'll be able to see the track on the screen, which includes any real hazards or layouts you devise on your own. The tech is slick, and Rift Rally supports PVP as well as AI opponents.

Setting it all up was painless for me. The car has a little side panel that can be opened for USB charging, and from there you need to load up the iOS or PS4/PS5 app. Rift Rally will walk you through everything organically (including connecting the car and instructions for building the gates by hand); a format that really reminded me of the step-by-step process Nintendo uses for Labo.

There are two potential connection types for Rift Rally:

• Wifi
• Direct connection

This is a huge step up from Mario Kart Live, as the Rift Rally Wifi option hosts a significantly more?? stable connection in my household. In all, it took me around three minutes to fully get up and run?ning.

?[gallery link="file" size="large" ids="371566,371567,371568"]

Rift Rally has a campaign, which does some heavy lifting

Rift Rally is as simple or as complex as you want: as evidenced by the fact that everyone in my immediate family enjoyed interacting with the game in different ways. You can focus more on traditional driving or try and master some of the?? "stunt-centric" intricacies to get an edge;?? like burning out, drifting, and popping wheelies.

The campaign is a huge boon as it walks you through all of these concepts and sends you on your way through a small series of stages; augmenting a traditional free play mode. There are more significant rewards this time around, including randomized cars after leveling up; as well as extras like more music tracks. Thankfully, Rift Rally's campaign isn't solely racing-focused: there are challenges too, like destroying drones on a track before they can destroy the map or racing side-by-side with monsters or other digital hazards. All that wackiness marries the stunt and racing aspect of Rift Rally in an int??eresting way that isn't too ??out there to the point where it impedes gameplay.

You do still need what I could call a "medium-sized room" (at least) to play it comfortably, which is going to be a limiting factor once again for anyone looking to buy into this mixed reality universe. The small caveat is that Rift Rally doesn't require a ton of room to stunt around in, and you can do more with less compared to Mario Kart Live.

Stunt mode is where I spent most of my time

Stunt mode is the othe??r core focus of the game, which is basically just "messing around for points." It's also the thing my kid loves the most. As a model "free play" game type you're able to try out all sorts of weird jumps and track layouts: you don't even need to set ??up the gates at all.

It's a great place to train and try out drifting and burning out properly, and you'll earn levels/experience for doing it. Velan was really savvy to add this mode in, as I tend to oscillate between blowing off some steam on a lazy weekend evening wi??th stunt mode?? and trying to make actual progress. Again, all of it leads to unlocks, so it's not wasted time either way if you're progression-oriented.

I wasn't a?ble to test out multiplayer pre-launch (because I only had access to one car, and couldn't find anyone online). But the inclusion of these at all will clearly extend the game'??s longevity in our house, especially with online play on the table.

[caption id="attachment_371569" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

If you were on the fence about Mario Kart Live, IP aside, Rift Rally is a more fully featured game

Obviously, some folks are going to get a lot of joy out of Mario Kart Live because of the sights and sounds of the Mario IP alone. I get it! The pitch probably sold itself, as the entire concept of Mario Kart in real life is fun on ??paper all the way to practice.

Yet, Hot Wheels: Rift Rally uses everything the team learned from their prior project to keep you playing a bit longer; which is something you want from a game that costs $100+ and requires a toy to function. We'll definitely be alternating between this and Mario Kart Live in the future, skewed toward digging into Rift Rally has to offer.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher. 8.5/10]}

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The Wave 4 release date is locked in for March 9, 2023

A new tweet from Nintendo this morning confirmed what we've all been waiting for: a date for Wave 4 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe pass. As a?? refresh, this multi-wav?e DLC release will consist of six waves in total, and the first wave dropped in March of 2022. Yep, we're coming up on a full year into this DLC plan, and I have to say, it's been going great so far.

Here are all of the tracks confirmed for Wave 4 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass (as well as Birdo, who is a medium weight class racer):

• Tour Singapore Speedway (Mario Kart Tour)
• Tour Bangkok Rush (Mario Kart Tour)
• Wii DK Summit (Mario Kart Wii)
• Tour Amsterdam Drift (Mario Kart Tour)
• GBA Riverside Park (Mario Kart: Super Circuit)
• DS Mario Circuit (Mario Kart DS)
• GCN Waluigi Stadium (Mario Kart: Double Dash)
• Yoshi's Island (New)

Although I really dig the fresh whiff of nostalgia some of these returning tracks are wafting in, I have to say, I really love that we're able to play some of the better Mario Kart Tour tracks without having to actually play Mario Kart Tour on mobile. Get my drift? The new tracks are icing on the cake too, and I launch right?? i??nto those immediately.

All of the above Wave 4 tracks will drop on March 9, next week. Expect impressions shortly afterward! As a reminder, the Booster Course Pass (all six waves, which includes 48 courses) is $24.99, or included with the Nintendo Switch Online ?Expansion Pack.

//twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/statu??s/163129372369378918?4

Check out our extensive review coverage of all of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe wave so far:

• Wave 1
• Wave 2
• Wave 3

The post Surprise! Mar??io Kart 8 Deluxe Wave 4 is out next week appeared first on Destructoid.

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines...

Ubisoft has announced the next release in its racing game series, The Crew �The Crew Motorfest is currently in dev??elopment for PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms and will hit the gas later in 2023.

"Welcome to Motorfest!" reads the teaser trailer blurb. "The newest iteration in The Crew franchise, The Crew Motorfest br??ings you to a new open world inspired by the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. Book your ticket for a one-of-a-kind car festival and get ready for a celebration of the best of car culture, featuring an unparalleled diversity of game modes and immer?sive driving experiences."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF45nzjS??q2E&ab_channel=Ubisoft

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The Sound of the Underground

If I could do it all over again?, I wouldn't get out of shape, I would've gotten into this gig at a younger age, and, above all, I would've learned to drive as soon as I was out of school. And this ho??liday �as the frosted winter air and expensive hotel prices keep me from a fun party �I'm reminded of how much freedom the open road allows those with four wheels and a tank of gas. No clock checking, no canceled buses, and no overnight stay necessary. Just you and the road...

...And a thousand misanthropic, angry people in huge meta??l dea??th machines.

In addition to freedom, having your own vehicle provides some with a sense of identity, even purpose. These are the people for whom the car is like a trophy lover, to be gifted with expensive presents, treated with love and affection, and paraded about as a symbol of status, pride, wealth, or style. And there are those who then take this six-figure token and utilize it for terrifying, death-defying races, willing to risk it all �body and wallet �for the cred of the crew and the heat of the fuzz. Couldn't be me... I grew up on Public Information Films.

Need for Speed Unbound understands this mentality and appreciates how, for some gearheads, the vehicle and its driver are one, with equal pride shared in looks, moves, vibe, and reputation. In the world of NFSU, Car and Driver are presented as a tag team, gunning for gold against the backdrop of the flamboyant and lucrative world o??f upmarket street racing.

And while the irresponsible, life-threatening nature of the "real life" scenario is undeniable, the stylized world of NFS offers pure escapism, where everyone is beautiful, your wallet is bottomless, your garage overstocked, and crashing your car into a bollard at 173 mph is merely a harmless, threat-f?ree byproduct of that golden chase for The Re??d Line. Buckle up.

Need for Speed Unbound (PS5 [reviewed], PC, Xbox Series X/S)
Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: December 2, 2022
MSRP: $69.99

Need for Speed Unbound, as its name would suggest, represents an amalgamation of the many sub-series within the Need for Speed franchise. Whereas the past three decades have seen the racing franchise focus on a certain aspect of rubber-burnin' �from the mission-based story of Undercover to the five-oh bothering cinematic style of Hot Pursuit —�em>NFSU presents something of a "Best of" for the?? decades-long franchise; a compendium of all of the modes, ideas, and aspirations of the series' legacy, combined into one red-hot title.

That said, there's no denying that the overall vibe of NFSU is most certainly the Need for Speed Underground series �bedecked in outlaw culture, dangerous street dueling, flashy wheels, and pop-off drivers declaring war like it's WrestleMania. Of all of the titles to propel the NFS brand into the ninth generation, EA has deftly chosen to go for the one sub-series that not only holds perhaps the most nostalgic memories for the NFS com??munity at large, but also seems the most culturally contemporary for today's flash??, cash, and gas world.

//w??ww.youtube.com/watch?v=D5aU75h7Yzs&ab_channel=NeedforSpeed

Take me back to the Paradise City

Need for Speed Unbound offers a full palette of colors from the NFS paintbox. Racers can enjoy the highway/mountain burns of NFS proper, or the wheel-squealing runs through the dangerous nightlife of Underground, or indulge in a spot of police bothering chaos, as featured in Hot Pursuit (complete with NFS HEAT's star system). In addition to these activities, all cleanly imbued into the game world, players can also simply let rip throughout Lakeshore itself �ripping through time trials, pulli?ng off record drifts, smashing billboards, or racking up a sightseeing tour of every gas station in the 'berg.

Lakeshore is?? packed with diversions for anyone living life one mile at a time.

If this all sounds a little familiar, then that's probably by design, as NFSU has more than a hint of Burnout: Paradise about it. Criterion's own genre-defining open-world racer was clearly at the forefront of the developer's mind when it came to the design and execution of Lakeshore City, and the experience in creating the rival series offers a boon in Unbound's favor. Between story chapters, cop chases, and 007-esque stuntwork, it is surprisingly easy to lose hours of playtime simply ripping up the city, smashing speed limit records, or entering impromptu races, time trials, and the dangerous off?-road obstacle course known as "The Takeover".

Lakeshore City is your oyster, so to speak, and you decide how to sp?end your time in it.

Thanks, bants. Thbants.

The spine of NFS Unbound is its story mode �an almost impressively rote and blah tale of betrayal, revenge, and retribution, set within the city's highly lucrative, ego-driven world of? midnight clubs and pseudo-homicidal drivers. The player's custom protagonist embarks on a hilariously predictable and shockingly cliche narrative �one which offers little in the way of surprises to anyone versed in the cinematic oeuvre of celebrated thespian Vin Diesel.

While progressing through the story, all in-game earnings, (whether bagged on the streets or at the bookies), can be blown on a huge gallery of vehicles and upgrades, with the play??er gunning their way through a tiered licensing system and obtaining the machinery necessary to qualify for the city's more elite street circuits. As Lakeshore opens up, a selection of side objectives and jobs-for-hire become available, from getting hot wheels (not the toys) out of the city under the watchful eyes of the feds, to becoming the most One-Star-Rated Uber driver in history. These missions all offer their own rewards, unlocking new safehouses as well as access to more vehicles and upgrades.

While all of this activity is fun and enjoyable, it has to be noted that NFSU's narrative and script absolutely do not make the grade. The soundtrack is perfectly suited for folk far younger and cooler than I, and the voice acting is perfectly fine, but the dialogue is atrocious, wall-to-wall ?with insuffe??rable, cookie-cutter "bants". Once a character ended a call with "gotta bounce, yo, craving boba", I knew that we'd gone beyond "I'm  just too old" and into the realm of focus-group-approved dialogue.

It is, as the kids would say, Cringe AF.

What's going on under the hood?

Developed by the masterful Criterion Games, Need for Speed Unbound is a spectacularly polished title, which goes to great lengths to utilize the power of the ninth-gen platform. Even when run in Performance Mode, (and why not?), NFSU is a visual marvel, with atmospheric use of light, shadow, reflections, weather effects, and other visual trickery to dazzle the eyes. And when the lights go down and the roughest of riders come out to play, then the atmosphere truly comes into its own, as the neon blur of the city, the flare of the headlights, and that threatening flash of red and blue in the rearview bring the world of NFSU to life.

The key to any racer lies in its handling, and Unbound is pretty darn slick. Each and every vehicle feels accurately tuned to its bespoke ability, while ensuring that the whole game never feels too "simulation". While perhaps the most technically proficient NFS title in years, engagement remains a top priority. Criterion has ensured that the newly overhauled mechanics never get in the way of simply having a rip-roaring time. NFSU remains a fully accessible "arcade" title �to be enjoyed by fans of Gran Turismo or Crash Team Racing.

NFS Unbound has flash and flare in spades. The blend of "real-life" visuals with cel-shaded graffiti animation is one of the legitimately coolest mechanics added to a racer in years, and the juxtaposition of the two visual elements works because of, not in spite of, the tonal clash. This whole vibe �Grit meets Party �is NFSU's personality, and I would hope that a potential sequel would see Criterion dare to go even further with this st??yle, presenting a racer that feels truly ripped from the walls of? the inner city.

NFSU is kitted out with an incredibly deep customization system, featuring bespoke livery designs, a vast palette of colors, multiple metal types, and hundreds of accessories, underglows, rims, exhausts, bumpers, spoilers, and even horns. NFSU allows those with the time and prerogative the opportunity to build a custom garage full of beautiful, bespoke vehicles. And whether your dream car is the latest Lambo or The Homer, you'll likely find that you're able to capture your perfect aesthetic for ?your four-wheel babies.

Oh, and yes, the player avatar is basically as customizable as the cars themselves �with an ever-growing catalog of real-name brand clothing, as well as myriad options for skin tone, hair, build, makeup, and taunts. You gotta love how developers have basically found a way to crowbar WWE SmackDown's Create-a-Wrestler mode into every gaming franchise. Sadly, despite an intense search, I'm yet to find Michelle Rodriguez's pleather flame plants from the first Fast & Furious movie...

...And we were so close to 10/10.

I can't drive 55

Ever since its heady, 3DO-based inception back in 1994, The Need for Speed has struggled t??o maintain i?ts grip as the King of the Arcade Racer. The ensuing decades have seen the series hit its highest highs and lowest lows as it attempts to find its sweet spot in a pretty fierce, hardware-driven marketplace.

With Need for Speed Unbound, however, Criterion and EA have successfully married the finer points of the series' past to Criterion's own excellence in delivering taut and exciting racing action. And, further bolstered by the power of the ninth generation, new technologies afford NFSU the burst of nitrous that the series has chased for some time, revitalizing a brand tha??t many had thought was ready for t??he scrapper's yard.

Need for Speed Unbound is a highly enjoyable and splendidly polished arcade racer. Criterion has picked meticulously through almost 30 years of NFS legacy, stitching together its finest elements to create a brilliant, feature-packed amalgamation that offers compelling gameplay, deep design, and dazzling aesthetics. Simply put, Need for Speed Unbound is one of the best entries ??in the histor??y of the franchise.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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25 years of Real Driving excellence

Today is the 25th anniversary of gaming's foremost driving simulator, Gran Turismo. And to celebrate the occasion, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Polyphony Digital released a video message, thanking the community and the team for delivering over two decades of critical??ly acclaimed racing action.

The first Gran Turismo launched on PlayStation on December 23, 1997, kicking off a franchise that aimed to bring a sense of realism and technical authenticity to the racing game genre. With the ever-evolving technology of PlayStation hardware, developer Polyphony Digital has been afforded the opportunity to push the envelope further and further, with sequels boasting increasingly photo-realistic visuals and immersive driving physics almost unparalleled in the gen?re.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIcBFcLM7U&am??p;ab_channel=GRANTURISMOTV

A lengthy letter from Polyphony Digital CEO Kazunori Yamauchi, released for the anniversary, reflects on the history of the franchise, while also revealing that a staggering 90 million Gran Turismo titles have been sold since the series' debut. Yamauchi speaks of his and the Poly?phony team's immense pride in the franchise, noting that the studio still carries a sense of revitalized determination into the current and forthcoming gaming generations.

"I can’t ever thank enough the Gran Turismo users and people of the Gran Turismo community who have played our new titles, which at times could be said to have been very experimental, writes Yamauchi. "We are here today because of all the people who supported us. I believe the Gran Turismo series have always pursued “beauty.�??The beauty of the cars, the beauty of the scenery, the beauty of the lighting, the beauty of driving, the beauty of sounds/music and the beauty of the graphics."

"The “pursuit of beauty�is the motivation for creating Gran Turismo."

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YOU get a Blue Shell, and YOU get a Blue Shell...

If the Blue Shell is the bane of your existence, then your world is about to get a little more chaotic, as Nintendo has released a brand new update for its long-life racer Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which allows p?layers to customize the exact items received when driving over item boxes!

The "Custom Item" feature allows players to pick and choose from the list of buffs, debuffs, and weapons available from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's iconi?c arsenal. So you can receive a Red Shell every time, or you could ban Red Shells entirely. Not enough Banana Skins? Give them to EVERYBODY! Or, if you want to put your karting skills to the ultimate test, turn off items entirely, and may the best Power Slider win.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iaCRaF8ET8

Of course, this new feature is not available in all modes, so don't expect to jump into Online Vs. with a fistful of Lightning Bolts. But, for offline multiplayer races, battle modes, and the like, you and your fellow racers can now choose exactly which items will or will not appear on your next run around Rainbow Road. The Custom Item feature sounds pretty neat and I kinda wish it had been utilized in every single Mario Kart release.

In addition to the new feature, today's update sees the arrival of Booster Course Pass Wave 3. As previously noted, this particular round of DLC includes eight classic tracks rolling out across two cups. For a full list of the newly featured raceways, check out our previous report or the trailer above. 2023 will see?? the arrival of three further Booster Course packs, ultimately building to a grand total of almost 50 additional courses.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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Mickey pumps the brakes

[Update: Gameloft released a new CGI trailer to help keep the engines purring for Disney Speedstorm.]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0-7YTl6Sg8

Gameloft has announced that its cartoonish karter Disney Speedstorm will no longer meet its initially planned 2022 release date �The free-to-play racer ?has been pushed back to 2023, when it will launch on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

"We have been working diligently to craft an amazing racing experience for Disney Speedstorm, capturing our vision of the exciting magic fans enjoy in their favorite Disney and Pixar characters and games," said Gameloft in a statement posted to Twitter. "We want fans to not only be entertained, but to e?njoy a fast-paced an?d competitive racing experience they will return to play for years to come."

"With this in mind and after careful consideration, we have decided to delay the worldwide release of Disney Speedstorm to meet our expectations and provide players with a more immersive racing experience, customization offerings, game modes, and more. Fans are invited to join us on the speedway when Disney Speedstorm launches in 2023 on PC and consoles."

First revealed in February of this year, Disney Speedstorm is a curious-looking title that will adapt The House of Mouse's huge litany of characters and worlds to the racetrack in rubber-burnin', power-slidin' action. Players will select characters and vehicles based on series such as Monsters Inc., Pirates of the Caribbean, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, and other famous franchises before tearing up themed tracks in online and offline play. Given the enormity of the Disney catalog, Gameloft is liking hoping for a long-life title, with new karts, tracks, and racers added over the ensu??ing seasons.

Disney Speedstorm is currently in?? development for PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

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Pump the Brakes

Electronic Arts, in an internal statement acquired by GamesIndustry.biz, has announced that it is ending the Project CARS racing franchise, effective immediately. This makes the final release in the simulation series the mobile title Project CARS GO, which launched on iOS and Android in 2021.

"Today we announced internally an update to our racing portfolio. Following an evaluation of the next Project CARS title and its longer-term growth potential, we have made the decision to stop further development and investment for the franchise," reads the ??statement. "Decisions like these are very hard, but allow us to prioritise our focus in areas where we believe we have the strongest opportunity to create experiences that fans will love."

"We are working with everyone impacted by this decision to place them into suitable roles across our EA Sports and racing portfolio, as well as other parts of EA, wherever we can. Our priority now is on providing as much support as possible to our people throug??h this transition."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BPzkjvV_Rk

The Project CARS IP became the property of EA following the purchase of Codemasters and its subsidiaries, (including CARS developer Slightly Mad Studios), in December 2020. At the time of purchase, Slightly Mad had somewhere in the region of 150 employees, and so here's t?o hop??ing that EA will ensure new roles for the studio's staff throughout its myriad other development and publishing wings.

There have been four Project CARS games in total, including Project CARS GO. Though the first two games received critical and fan acclaim, Project CARS 3 was less warmly received. Earlier this year, it was announced that the first two titles were to be delisted from sale due to the expiration of in-game licenses, and? it would seem that EA has decided that this particular racer has run its course.

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Mee-Maw, Mee-Maw...

While I will be the first to admit I'm totally garbo at racing games, I can't help but be bewitched at the rollout of trailers for upcoming Electronic Arts release Need for Speed Unbound �Case in point: This dazzling new preview, which spotlights our street racers in the midst of a little tête-à-tête with The Law.

The "Risk & Reward" trailer spotlights the dangerous with highly effective driving abilities that will help our night riders outrun Five-Oh, out in force and ready to put an end to their nefarious nocturnal activities. Hazardous high-speed drifts, bone-rattling handbrake turns, and a dose of the old nitrous oxide a??re all tools that will help ?the savvy racer put distance between themselves and a jail cell �at the ultimate risk of a brutal, wall-shattering smash and the loss of more than just First Place.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5aU75h7Yzs&t

And in the midst of this Most Wanted-style chicanery, Criterion Games' latest road-ripper absolute stuns with its beautiful visuals, impactful colors, unique marriage of typical CG visuals and traditional animation, and immersive lighting, shadow, and weather effects, all gunning at silky smooth frame rates. By choosing to gun for current-gen platforms only, Need for Speed Unbound is clearly aiming to wow its fanbase with its speed, polish, and bespoke visual style... Goddamn, this is a good-looking video game.

Need for Speed Unbound launc?hes on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X on Decemb??er 2.

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Pedal to the Metal

Following on from several months of leaks and rumors, Electronic Arts has finally lifted the curtain on the next entry in its long-running racing game series Need for Speed �As whispered by industry insiders, the new entry is titled Need for Speed Unbound, and w?ill launch on PS5, PC, and Xbo?x Series X on December 2.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Y8XCe7F9E

As you can see from the stylish trailer above, soundtracked by the dulcet tones of A$AP Rocky, NFS Unbound will see a return to the competitive and combative street racing vibes of previous franchise entries such as the excellent Need for Speed Underground. NFS Unbound will follow the escapad??es of a die-hard, passionate gang of street racers, as they battle their way through the neon streets of the city, the ever-present wail of police sirens floating listlessly in the night skies.

As is to be expected, NFS Unbound will feature state-of-the-art visuals and game mechanics, and will also place a heavy emphasis on player customization, allowing the community to modify and decorate their ride so it will spin as many heads as it will wheels �in keeping with the new game flashy fashionista aesthetic. Developed by racing genre veterans Criterion Games, it is a fairly safe bet that NFS Unbound will deliver when?? it finally pulls out of the garage this winter.

Need for Speed Unbound launches on PS?5, PC, and Xbox Series X on December 2.

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DO NOT IGNORE

It's hardly the w?orld?'s best-kept secret that Electronic Arts is working on a new title for its long-running racing franchise, Need for Speed, but the publisher is yet to officially reveal the road-ripper in question �That looks all set to change very soon, as EA is now teasing an unveiling for later this week.

//twitter.com/Need??forSpeed/status/157697??7802750234625?s=20&t=1dKOamnyYuNIT8s7j9dcqA

The official Need for Speed Twitter account has been updated with a spanking new "NFS" avatar and header image, which is amusingly splattered with the order "DO NOT IGNORE". Asked by a fan whether this meant the premiere of the new game was on deck, EA further teased with a shifty eyes emoticon. So let's take that as a yes. The new game is developed by Codemasters and is rumored to be titled Need for Speed Unbound.

This Twitter update arrives mere days after Giant Bomb writer and frequent spoiler Jeff Grubb, speaking on Giant Bomb's Giant Mess Mornings podcast, suggested that the NFS reveal was set to take place this week. Grubb has been proven to be pretty darn accurate in these matters, so it looks like NFS fan??s should start revving their engines, and keep th?eir eyes peeled for a new trailer in the very foreseeable future.

We will, of course, bring you all of the wheel-spinning deets right he??re on Destructoid.

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Another month in the garage

Publisher Nacon has announced that WRC Generations has been hit with a last-minute delay, and will no longer meet its October 13 release date �the Kylotonn-developed racer will now launch November 3 on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. A? Nintendo Switch port is still in development for later release.

Speaking on Twitter, Nacon notes that it has decided to bring the console release in line with the PC launch date in order to allow for some further polish time for the PlayStation and Xbox editions by the development team at Kylotonn. Console players can pre-order WRC Generations now to receive a bonus vehicle �the Peugeot 206 WRC model. While PC players cannot pre-order the game, this bonus DLC will be offered to everybody who purchases WRC Generations on PC within its first two weeks of release.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJuV7ufIeY

WRC Generations promises to deliver the most content ever featured in a rally game. In addition to hosting over 750km of racetrack from no less than 22 countries, the new sequel will include 49 teams from the official WRC 2022 season, as well as 37 legendary cars and 165 timed special stages. WRC Generations will also feature hybrid cars for the very first time, bringing with them their own unique racing strategies �based on the battery manage??ment of the somewhat greener mud-rippers.

WRC Generations launche?s November 3 on ??PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

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2 Fast 2 Smurfious

Microids, in so many words, told us that they were on a mission to deliver a billion Smurfs video games, and they weren't just whistlin' dixie. Following on from the release of platform adventure The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf in 2021, the French publisher has now dropped a release date for the next title in its horrifying oeuvre, Smurfs Kart.

Headed to Nintendo Switch on November 15, Smurfs Kart will see the garden-dwelling dopes ??take to the racetrack in a variety of ramshackle vehicles, all seemingly made from the shit they just had lying around, (although Smurfette seems to have built herself a pretty snazzy roadster, at least when compared to most of the abominations on display).

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljKTN1NuRyw&t

In regards to gameplay, you know how it works. Hit the turbo start, drift corners, find shortcuts, and take out your opponents with a variety of special weapons, including shells (Conker, not Koopa). Smurfs Kart features 12 tracks from the Smurfs universe, including Smurf Village, Smur??f Forest, a??nd Smurf Dam. Smurf.

Gargamel's house ?is also in the mix, ?so you can irritate his ass too. Seriously, just leave him alone. 12 selectable characters include Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and the ones nobody knows the names of. You can't be the French Goth one that I absolutely don't fancy no matter what you've heard.

Look, I'm being flippant, (with good cause, because it's 2022 and fucking Smurfs Kart exists) but, honestly, it looks perfectly... serviceable as a kart racer. Smurfs Kart looks to "tick all of the boxes", so to speak. It supports up to four players. It has a variety of challenges and alternate modes to enjoy. It's fine.

I just can't help but think why anybody �kids, or families, or racing game fans �would choose to pick this up over, say, Crash Team Racing, or Mario Kart Deluxe, or Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, or any number of more prestigious?, polished examples.

Roll on TinTin.

Smurfs Kart launches on Nintendo Switch November 15.

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Superhot and Injustice 2 on PS4 round out the PS Plus Essential lineup for October 2022

If you didn't pick up Hot Wheels Unleashed at launch (and recent sales didn't tempt you), then October should be a good month for PlayStation Plus. Milestone's well-liked arcade racing game joins the lineup for PS Plus Essential subscribers alongside NetherRealm's superhero fighter Injustice 2 and the minimalist action-shooter classic Superhot.

You can follow t??hose links and cla??im the games starting on Tuesday, October 4.

Hot Wheels Unleashed has some cool locations, complete with nostalgic plastic orange tracks, and the cars look authentic, too. The main hangup is the way they're unlocked (through loads of DLC and loot boxes), and while those complaints still stand, getting access to the base game with your PlayStation Plus subscr??iption eases the ten??sion a bit.

I'm not sure where you're at with general superhero fatigue in 2022, and Injustice 2 feels like a short lifetime ago, but it's the kind of broad-appeal fighter that makes sense for the PS Plus aud??ienc??e. (There's a story mode.) Been there, done that? I feel you.

[caption id="attachment_346186" align="alignnone" width="1920"] _{Superhot is super replayable. You can always fight better.}
[/caption]

As for Superhot, it's a game about looking cool with a novel time-moves-when-you-do mechanic powering cinematic shootouts and other crazed action scenes. A classic FPS, though I'm sure plenty of you would've preferred getting the VR ed?ition instead.

Obligatory reminder in case it slipped your mind: you have until October 3 to claim Need for Speed Heat, Granblue Fantasy: Versus, and Toem. If you're a completionist �or could be, under the right circumstances �then I'd also suggest snagging the free Keys to the Map for Need for Speed Heat while you're at? it. It'll fill in the? collectible locations.

According to Sony, the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium game additions for October will be shared "later this month." More classics this time, please! Like, a lot more.

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The Cloud, too

A Trackmania console release is slated for "early 2023," according to an announcemen?t made in an Ubisoft Forward stream today.

The window given right now is "early 2023," and PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Stadia, and Luna were specifically mentioned in the reveal (as were "cloud platforms"). Cross-play and cross-progression are confirmed ahead o??f time too, which is a nice surprise that doesn't require us to dig into a hidden FAQ to figure out if that's actually planned or not.

In case you forgot, Trackmania is the shortened title for the 2020 rendition of the series, which launched as a free-to-play game. As of today, a yearly "club level" subscription costs $29.99,? which has still earned the ire of many prospective players. As Ubisoft puts it, you can: "Enhance your experience with Standard Access and unleash your creativity. Play solo or multiplayer on ?seasonal campaigns and keep track of your progression with medal collection, trophies, and regional and worldwide rankings."

The combination of only being available on PC and the subscription model has squarely put Trackmania 2020 in the "maybe" column since launch. At this point, quickly being able to boot it up on a console could sway me to give ??it another shot.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f5fPTFdv1M&a??mp;list=PLBnrd5k2F2INdjLweJqlvK0OC??RIJPg_O2&index=17

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Project Canceled

Developer Slightly Mad Studios has announced that its 2015 prestige racing simulator Project CARS, along with its 2017 sequel, Project CARS 2, are to be delisted from sale on all for??mats this fall. Both titles will then be rendered unpurchasable, though owners will still be able to redownload and play the games as they wish.

Speaking in a brief statement on Twitter, Slightly Mad Studios pointed to the expiration of various in-game licenses as the reason for the games' removal from sale. Certain vehicles, tracks, and other trademarks in both Project CARS releases are clearly reaching their end-of-terms, with publisher Codemasters not looking to renew the licenses for further year??s.

//twitter.com/projectcarsgame/status/1561730018966904832?s=???20&t=Rm4FDNLqCjf4kPzzI5kaRA

"We will remove Project CARS from sale on October 3rd and Project CARS 2 on September 21st," wrote the studio. "We remain focused on making the best racing sim titles, and, as mentioned previously, we look f??orward to sharing more on the next Slightly Mad project when the time is right."

There is no mention of Project CARS 3 befalling the same fate, so no doubt the 2020 sequel is currently still well within its licensing rights, though it will no doubt be similarly delisted once its time is also up. In the meantime, Project CARS, Project CARS 2, and Project CARS 3 are all available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

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The cars were weirdly static before this update

Nintendo is revisiting an absurd amount of classic tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the Booster Course Pass, and while most of the attention is fixated on the just-released second wave of DLC, there's one small?? but appreciated change t??hat's worth noting. Now, in the final stretch of Coconut Mall, the Shy Guys don't just sit there in their cars.

Th??e developers shared a short clip of the new? Shy Guy antics.

//twitter.com/?NintendoAmerica/status/1555191948956368897

Granted, in the original Mario Kart Wii version of Coconut Mall, the obstacles were deadlier �the cars drov??e back and fo?rth and were harder to avoid. That isn't the case here.

This Coconut Mall fix is more of a middle ground for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe players.

The Shy Guys are less static than before (excluding the Time Trial mode, as pictured above), but they aren't too annoying, either. Before, they felt lifeless in a kind of jarring way, and people definitely noticed that something felt off near the finish line. So it's good to see Nintendo go back and improve things, even if it's a small detail in the grand sche??me.

After you're done playing the Turnip and Propellor Cups in Wave 2 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, maybe circle back for a match on Coconut Mall. I'm excited to hop onlin?e tonight, especially for the all-new track, Sky-High Sundae.

At this point, kind of against all odds, ??I feel like I've gotten good mileage out of the Nintendo Switch Online + Ex?pansion Pass.

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There's a lot of stuff to get to!

It's almost impossible to narrow down a top five list of most iconic Mario Kart tracks �but this Mario Kart 8 Deluxe track list is doing a good job of showing us ??what's missing.

Crafted by Azer_FR over on reddit, the list breaks down multiple games, and lists tracks that have and have not appeared in Deluxe. There's even denotations for tracks that have been reused, or have never appeared again in any future game (and thus would be more ideal for preservation in Deluxe).

It's interesting seeing everything broken down game by game. It feels like there should be more Super Mario Kart/SNES tracks in Deluxe, but there's only three! Nintendo better pump those numbers up eventually. I always had a feeling that Mario Kart Tour was su??per represented, but seeing it on paper is something else.

Beyond that, everything seems to be pretty well spread out across the rest of the series. Maybe we could use some more Double Dash (especially ??sinc??e it has some unique tracks that haven't seen the light of day again)? But other than that, Nintendo has given each game a decent amount of representation.

As a note, the red exclamation mark (!) icon denotes tracks that were just recently confirmed to be part of "Wave 2" of the Booster Course [Season] Pass. We have four more waves to get to by the end of 2023, so there's plenty on the way.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe track list (including what hasn't made it in yet):

The post A Mario Kart 8 Deluxe community member made a handy list of every past Mario Kart track that is and isn’t in Deluxe yet appeared first on Destructoid.

Here's a full track list

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe season pass wave 2 DLC finally has a date: Nintendo has just revealed that it will be out on August 4. You can find the full track list and trailer below! Nintendo has also updated their database site to include info on wave 2.

As a reminder, we covered wave 1 already, and there's more on the way. The pass will contain 48 courses overall, and there's six waves in total. Nintendo isn't giving us a date for wave 3 yet, but reiterates that ??"everything will be out by the end of 2023." You can access it via buying the Booster Course Pass on its own, or through an Expansion Pack membership.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBly7QHQkYA

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe season pass wave 2 DLC full track list:

• Turnip Cup
  • Tour New York Minute â€?Zip past towering skyscrapers and enjoy a scenic drive through the park in this Big Apple-inspired course originating from the mobile game Mario Kart Tour.
  • SNES Mario Circuit 3 â€?Drift your way around tight corners and avoid the Warp Pipes in this classic course that originated in Super Mario Kart on Super NES.
  • N64 Kalimari Desert â€?This desert race features frequent run-ins with an old-fashioned steam locomotive that crosses the course â€?be careful not to cause any delays!
  • DS Waluigi Pinball â€?Launch, bump and weave across this course themed after a giant pinball table, complete with colorful lights and sounds. Just try not to tilt!

• Propeller Cup
  • Tour Sydney Sprint â€?Soak up the sunshine as you soar above the bay and cruise around the sights in this course that originated in Mario Kart Tour.
  • GBA Snow Land â€?Try not to slip and slide on this wintry course from Mario Kart: Super Circuit. Just remember: Cooler heads will prevail.
  • Wii Mushroom Gorge â€?This course features an underground cavern, deep chasms and giant mushrooms to spring off of â€?make sure you land safely!
  • Sky-High Sundae â€?The competition may heat up, but that doesn’t mean you can’t chill out in this sweet race, which is filled with larger-than-life desserts at nearly every turn. Prove you’re number one under the sun(dae) in this debut course!

Here is what's left of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass:

The post Finally! Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sea??son pass wave 2 DLC is out on August 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

The Neon Nitrous

During the recent Nacon Connect live stream, the publisher offered up another slick cinematic trailer for its upcoming racer Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. But while the dramatic preview offered up some stylish visuals and dramatic pontificat??ing, it failed to showcase any gameplay for the title, which is currently scheduled to launch on PC and next-gen platforms in 2023.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2RxYui-Jhc

Developed by veteran studio KT Racing, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown certainly sounds like an incredibly meaty undertaking, with a host of highly realistic licensed vehicles burning rubber through what has been touted as a meticulous "1:1" recreation of the entirety of Hong Kong Island. An emphasis on customization will allow players to not only fine-tune their cars' appearances to perfection but also customize the appearance of the driver themselves �a feature that takes center stage in the new Solar Crown trailer.

First announced in the summer of 2020, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown was originally expected to hit the streets this September, but became one of a litany of cross-gen releases pushed back to 2023. It was also confirmed that the PS4 and Xbox One editions of the title had been canceled. Now over two years into its development, with a release scheduled for sometime in the coming 18 months, fans are becoming a tad antsy at the persistent rolling out of cinematic trailers, and are starting to wonder when they will finally get to see the ambitious-?sounding racer in action.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is in development for PS5?, PC, Xbox Se?ries X, and Nintendo Switch.

The post Tes??t Drive Unlimited Solar Crown gets new trailer, but gameplay still eludes appeared first on Destructoid.

I thought 2019 was horrible. Little did I know...

Remember in 2019, before the pandemic, when we cruised around in rocket cars? No. Well, Out Run 2019 is here to remind you of those good times.

In all seriousness, I love Out Run. It was a great arcade title with a terrific sense of speed and a relaxing atmosphere. In the Sega Ages release, you can even turn off traffic, which brings about an even better sense of stress relief. After all, Out Run was more about driving than it w??as about racing. Get behind the wheel of your Ferrari and hit the open road.

There were many spin-offs to Out Run. Some of them were pretty strange, such as Out Run Europa. Out Run 2019 is one game on Sega Genesis that took the concept to a strang?e new place: the unimaginably distant future! It’s also probably my favorite of the spin-offs, even if the Ferrari looks like it’s something more out of a dystopian cyberpunk pulp novel than a car porn magazine.

I can never decide if it's one word or two

Out Run was the seminal raster racer, a ty?pe of 2D racing game that used the power of math to make the roads look 3D. I don’t know how it works. I once read an article on the graphical trickery and it lost me w?hen it started talking about trigonometry.

Trigonom??etry. That’s not math, it’s how you argue with a calculator.

I still love raster racers, though. Even modern ones like Buck Up and Drive and Splitstream. They don’t have to use the actual graphical style, just as long as they have those gentle cu??rves and ?rolling hills.

I’m making no exaggeration that Out Run 2019 is the most impressive use of the effect that I’ve seen. Note that I probably haven’t seen every raster racer, but I’ll tell you: Top Gear was cool for having tracks that actually looped back in on themselves. Out Run 2019 has bridges. Bridges. I’m not sure how else to get how cool bridges are in a raster game outside of just repeating the word. Bridges.

BRIDGES!

That’s right. Bridges. You’re driving along, and suddenly the road lifts up and you’re elevated. You can even fall off the edge and tumble to the terrain below. It gets better, though! Sometimes the road splits, and you can either go up onto the bridge or under the bridge. Like, you c?an see it winding above you and intersec??ting the road. It’s magic is what it is.

Bridges aside, the gameplay is predictably similar to Out Run. You’re not really in a race, except against the clock. Your goal isn’t to rank, but rather to reach the end of every segment of course before time runs out. The biggest difference that separated Out Run 2019 from its timeless predecessor is tha??t there are five courses to choose from, rather than jus?t the singular branching one.

The courses are of different lengths and have their own configuration of branches, but none of the size of Out Run’s super-course. I’m not even certain why they did it this way, it kind of makes the game easier because you have a shorter sprint to reach the end. Each route is unique, but none of the tracks really have a cohesive theme, so I’m not certain why they weren’t just crammed into a s??ingle stage.

Highway to the danger zone

It’s unfortunate that there’s only one car in Out Run 2019, but it does have a manual and automatic transmission. There’s a red car on the cover which reminds me more of the original game’s Ferrari, but instead, you’re stuck with an ugly grey one. E??veryone drives grey cars in the year 2019, it hides future dirt.

One addition is the ability to boost once you’ve maintained top speed for a short period. Turning is practically impossible while boosting, but Out Run 2019 smartly hands you straightaways so you can stretch your wings and? melt your tires. At that point, it’s a matter of not bumping into ot??her cars on the road, which is much more manageable.

The music is pretty excellent, as well. I don’t think any of it is going to get permanently affixe??d to my ears like Splash Wave did, but they’re groovy little tunes in their own right. They’re each attributed to different artists in the credits, but I don’t know how true that is. The credits are set up to look like they’re from a movie with listings like “location supervisor�and “director of photography.�Most likely, they were all done by Shigeki Sako, but I’m not familiar with any other works by them.

A fun hour

Out Run 2019 might not be the most landmark game out there. In preparation for this article, I wrapped up medium difficulty in under an hour. It was a fun less-than-hour, and definitely no?t the first time I’ve played through the game. I’m also a veteran of raster racers. What I’m saying is: it might be best as a weekend rental. Hah! Ugh. I miss renting games.

Still, it’s probably a better use of your time than Out Run Europa or Outrunners. I wish we’d get a re-release of it. There have been about a million Sega collections throughout the years, and not one of them has it? Why? I’d rather play it than Altered Beast. Does Altered Beast have bridges? No. I rest my case.

For other r??etro titles you may have missed, click right here!

The post Out R??un 2019 is a fun depic??tion of a distant future appeared first on Destructoid.

Gotta pump the brakes

Publisher Nacon delivered a lot of good news during yesterday's Nacon Connect presentation �including the reveal of a GreedFall sequel and a new WRC title �but this was slightly offset by the bum news that the next entry in the Test Drive Unlimited series, Solar Crown, would no longer be meeting its originally planned? 2022 release date.

"With so much support from fans of the series, we know many of you will be disappointed, but our goal with Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is to make it the most polished gaming experience in the franchise by spending more time on its development," writes Nacon in a statement on Steam. "We therefore want to thank the fan community for your s?upport and daily involvement on the game's official Discord channel and within communities on the various social media platforms.

The attractive road racer, which was originally scheduled to launch this fall, will now arrive at some point in 2023. In addition, Nacon announced that the PS4 and Xbox One editions of the sequel have been canceled, with Solar Crown now solely in development for PS5, PC, Xbox Series X, and, perhaps surprisingly, Nintendo Switch. Perhaps the most ambitious TDU title to date, Solar Crown hopes to fully replicate a digital version of Hong Kong Island as the backdrop for its polished, high-sp??eed racing action.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is?? currently in development for PS5, PC, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. A closed?? beta is expected to launch later in 2022.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh-B5l8xB6s

The post Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown delayed to 2023, last-gen versions cann??ed appeared first on Destructoid.

HEH-HEH-HEEEEEH WIPEOUT!

Fans of anti-gravity racing games finally have a date to ring on their calendars �publisher Saber Interactive and developer 34BigThings announced that the hotly anticipated racer, Redout II, will finally get?? the green flag on May 26, when the hi-speed, ??hi-tech sequel hits PC and console platforms.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=MElaBg29PuQ

Redout II, defined by the developer as "the future of racing," will see players duke it across an amazing 36 futurist??ic raceways �all reversible for a grand total of 72 anti-gravity tracks. Up to 12 players, (on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox), will drift their way through intense racing action, reaching eye-searing speeds of over 1,000 km/h. 12 fully customizable vessel chassis are on offer, allowing for players to fine-tune their chosen vehicle to aesthetic perfection.

In addition to A.I. racing and online multiplayer modes, players can look forward to special events, seasonal content, time attack challenges, Boss Races, and even Redout II's unique take ?on the battle royale "Last Person Standing" genre. There's also an in-depth photo mode, so you can capture your fine machine from all angles as it?? rips through its moments of speedway glory. Oh, and listen out for a suitably electronic soundtrack, featuring artists such as Giorgio Moroder and Dance with the Dead.

Redout II launches May 26 on PlayStation, PC (via Steam), Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

The post Gorgeous-lo??oking Redout II will be ripping up the spaceways on May 26 appeared first on Destructoid.