Micro Machines 64 Turbo
Reviewed by Solomon Smith
Micro Machines was first introduced to us with Super Nintendo,
and then Game Boy. Now it has returned with the 64. Keeping the
basic racing format we knew and loved with its predecessors. You
control small cars, trucks, even tanks in an overhead view. There
are also weapons you can pick up and use ranging from a grappling
hook to mines. There are different modes of play, including challenge
or multi player mode. You can play one to eight players, save your
progress and/or new cars earned.
Graphics: 9.0 out of 10
Whether you are flying through sugar spills and leaving a trail behind
or speeding by the sleeping pets you will be amazed at the detail of
the surroundings and your interaction with them. The water tracks are
simply amazing with the surface of the ponds and plants in the tracks.
If you look closely you may even be able to read the cover of the
supermodel book or cereal box as you drive over it. The graphics are
smooth and colorful, keeping up and improving the quality of which past
Micro Machine games had in graphic eye candy.
Music and Sound: 7.3 out of 10
The sounds and music unfortunately didn't contribute to the experience of
the game. The sounds were done very good with the engine sounds,
squealing tires and even the dog barking or whimpering when you hit
him. The music was redundant though, fun at first but quickly made you
hit the mute button on your remote. Especially when you were playing
multi player and one of you got a full screen ahead. That annoying
winning music(?) sped up the decision to play a tape or CD for
alternate music. I was impressed by the sounds but not the music overall.
Game Challenge: 8.8 out of 10
When you are in a race and all of a sudden the track disappears and
you have to find the other end of the track, thats when you realize
that this is not any normal racing game(if the small cars on table tops
didn't clue you in yet). The challenge is there, with memorizing the tracks
to avoiding syrup spills while doing sharp turns on heading toward a bun
bridging two tables while staying ahead of the other cars and their weapons
which will quickly drop you in rank...AND you are having fun at the same
time. The frustration is simply not there till the later tracks and harder
difficulty levels. Although the later tracks do get slightly ridiculous in
difficulty overall the challenge is kept just right.
Game Play-Fun: 9.0 out of 10
It is fun. There is hardly any gripes about the fun factor in this game,
racing over tables, flying through science tubes and turning into a speeding
fireball or ramping off the familys ironing board. The only complaint that
lowers the fun is the multi player format. It is an innovative idea for
multi player, but it should have been made as an option. After all, it is a
lot of fun to try to get one screen ahead of your opponent, but sometimes
you want to play with a split screen just like the old Mario Kart days and
race. Plus the annoying sound of victory for getting one screen ahead doesn't
help it any either. But with the multitude of tracks, and the option to
trade or bet vehicles, this game is one that will keep your attention
for some time.
Replayability: 8.2 out of 10
You will have fun beating the game, getting the secret vehicles, and
set all the time records. After that, the replay starts decreasing. The
one thing that would have given it more life is the multi player, but lets
not get back into that! After a couple of weeks playing, trading, and
beting vehicles, this was put up on the shelf in favor for another game.
Game Value: 8.1 out of 10
The game is worth getting, just not at the $39.99 price. I would
reccomend getting it used. Though it is fun, if you get tired of racing
games fast, or don't have lots of friends to play this with, then this game
will be collecting dust faster. And thats not worth the money they ask
for this game.
Overall: 8.7 out of 10
If you like racing games, unusual games, or just want one for that will
provide hours of fun, then this is definitely a game to get. If you remember
the previous Micro Machine games and are unsure if this will be as good,
worry no more because it surpasses the other games hands down. Just be
ready to look at your own house in a completely different way once you've
played this game!!