Game Review Data
 
Game Title
Antz Racing
Publisher
Electronic Arts/Light & Shadow Productions
Features
1 Player. Password Save.
Format
Racing
Reviewer
Andrew Blanchard


RATING

Playable!


Ratings Scale:

Excellent!

Good!

Playable!

Ho-Hum!

Yuck!


Archived Game Reviews:

From A - Z

 

 
Introduction

Another game based on, or inspired by, a movie for the GameBoy is hardly original. It appears to have been the staple diet of our favourite little handheld and, there's no denying it, a movie tie-in sells, and a good one can sell lots. Antz was a surprise hit for Dreamworks a few years ago and this is the second Light & Shadow Production GBC title to feature the license. The first was the usual platform romp which was loosely based on the plot of the movie and now there is this one - a racing game. It could be fun, it should be fun, but is it?

Screen Shots

GamePlay

Racing games are not thick on plot. They don't have to be and the object here is simple. Win the race. There are two modes to choose from - Quick Race which will randomly pick a track from the many available or 4 Seasons which is the Championship option. Here you must constantly come first or second in order to become the best racer in Ant Land by the end of the year.

The Quick Race option is probably the most fun for most people. After you've chosen your car and driver a screen will appear with a calendar whizzing around. Press 'A' and it will eventually stop. This is the season and time of year you're racing in. The following screen will give you the track layout although studying this doesn't usually help. It's then on with the race and that's it. Simple, fun and fast. The 4 Seasons option features all the tracks in the game and has you racing throughout the year. After each race here you'll be placed and receive a four digit password so there's no need to complete the whole game in one sitting.

The way to win at this game is simply to practice. Every track has secrets, such as shortcuts, which all the other racers seem to already know but it's up to you to discover them as well. Choosing the right vehicle is also important as they all have various strengths. Crash, or get bumped into, too many times and it's all over. Finally there are the bonuses which every track is littered with. Some are speed-ups, some health and others invincibility. The first is without a doubt the most useful here and speeding past your opponents is very satisfying especially when just beating them to the finish line.

The gamescreen actually packs in a great deal of information for such a small screen. The top features your race position and the lap you're currently on, whilst the bottom features the character you're playing, the vehicle damage level, the bonus item you currently carry and pictures of the racers in front of and behind you. Very comprehensive indeed.

Control

The control system is a little confusing at first because of the perspective you play the game in. This does however get a lot easier and, after a few laps racing and hopefully winning, will become second nature. The controls are very responsive and all vehicles are fitted with super tyres as, regardless of the weather and time of year, you'll stick to the track like glue. The 'B' button allows you to use any special bonus you may have picked up. These need to be used at the correct time during the race as they are often the only reason why you'll win.

Graphics

The graphics are surprisingly good although this has always been RFX Interactive's strong point and, from the initial screens to the in-game graphics, everything is very pleasing. One visual aspect of the game that really does stand out is the level screens. These depict the various seasons you race in and are absolutely outstanding. Hi-color with no image dropout, they appear to be mini watercolors on your little handheld. Everything is well above average, all the characters look identical to their movie counterparts and the tracks manage to reflect the season you're racing in. The animation is minimal but the various modes of transport the ants use are all very smooth as they fly around the track.

Sound & Music

I seem to be saying this with all GBC titles now that the Advance has arrived but, yes, once again, we have one of those annoying upbeat soundtracks. The remedy is, fortunately, very simple. Turn it off with the options menu. As for the sound effects, they're limited to engines whirring and the odd bumping noise when you collide with a wall or other racer. Certainly not the high point of this title.

Final Comments

This is a pleasing little title and there's enough to keep you going here for some time. The tracks are varied and there are plenty of them. There are better racers out there on the GBC but most appear from a behind the car perspective whilst this title is more like the up and coming Driven for the GBA. It's always fun for a few laps of mindless racing though and if it' had included a two player link-up it would have been a lot more enjoyable.

@ EAGB Advance 2002. All rights reserved.