Death Race

"Thank you AGCI for 8bit brutality!!!!!!!!!"

Oh the gods, how I praise thee!!!!! I was searching for this game for some time and finally received it on a trade. It is truly everything I hoped it would be. Those of you searching for this game, read my review of its true deathness before purchasing, because this is one opinion. However, I assure you, you will not be disappointed! If you love the unlicensed hilarity of some NES games, get this immediately! If you love the classic titles, this will be added to your list!!!!!

Gameplay 10/10

Gameplay on this game is rather simple to get used to, though it may be a little akward at first when you slap this puppy in the toaster shooter! It is really not that hard, though. Up makes your car go forwards in whatever direction you are facing, down is the brake at all times, and right/left changes the direction you are going. Of course, if holding in up while pressing right or left, you will make turns while moving, don't think that you must stop every time before changing to the direction you want to go. Before this, though, you are faced with the opening screen and then eventually a screen where you get to upgrade, repair, and alter your car. You start out with enough money to buy one a gun, chasis, tires, engine, and missles. I suggest getting the third level gun, the first chasis, the most expensive wheels, the fusion engine, and 2 nukes. That will be enough for awhile as you will need to be constantly repairing and upgrading. Don't buy a new chasis until you have the money. Spend wisely. When you actually get into the game itself, the directional pad works as mentioned, but now you have the guns and missles to worry about. A fires the missles, and B fires the guns. When you get more money you can upgrade the range on the guns, but really you will spend more time running over the people then you will shooting them. Smash as many victims as possible (oooooooh, brutal NES gore) as you search around for the red flags. You need to collect these to leave a level. Once you locate these, hurry and find the exit as normally by this time the helicopter has come out to shawt the shawt out of you and it will waste you in a hurry if you're not moving. Also, if you let the time go down to 0, missles will suddenly come from everywhere and completely destroy you, so work quickly. It is best to kill along the way as you look for the flags. Don't waste too much time doing it beforehand as the helicopter will destroy you. Overall, once you get used to it, the gameplay is simple and fun, you'll enjoy it. There is also a two player feature in the game that is difficult, but not that hard to get used to. It's interesting as well.

Difficulty 10/10

If you are also looking for a good challenge, this game has it. Even on the rookie setting this game is tough, and I still can't make it past the 6th level. Be prepared for a difficult game. It gets tougher as you go along, and the higher settings are even more difficult. It takes some serious skill to defeat a level, let alone the entire game. Look forward to hours of getting yourself destroyed. The only unfortunate thing is that you only have one life, thus increasing the difficulty level twofold. Play well, or that's it. The two player feature also adds to difficulty as the two players must stay on the same screen at the same time, you can't go ahead of each other, so it takes a lot of practice to play it this way.

Controls 10/10

The controls, as mentioned, are a little difficult to get used to at first as this is a completely overhead racing game and you do not manipulate the accelerator or brake with A or B as these are reserved for the weapons. It will take a bit to get used to down being the brake and up being the accelerator, but once you get the hang of it, KILL!!!!!!!!!!!! However, once you get your turning raidus up as you upgrade your car, it becomes much easier. The fusion engine will be a big asset to you in the controls department, because it will help you get away from the helicopter as you get used to the steering.

Graphics 10/10

The graphics aren't the best, but are really pretty good, especially for an unlicensed game. I was impressed, and they have that same AGCI gore feel that you find in Chiller. It is basically like combining chiller with Super Sprint.

Sound 10/10

The sound will make you laugh. The opening screen has machine guns on the car firing and decent music, along with the game itself, but during the car screen where you can buy things and on the map where you see your progress, the music sounds like Wally Bear and the No Gang. It's funny, but for some reason made me like the game even more. Other sounds like people getting run over, things blowing up, the helicopter whaling on you, and so forth are perfectly fine. They shawtin' rock the shawthouse!

Replay Value 10/10

Once you get used to this game you'll find yourself coming back to it as there is plently of difficult and skills to learn. I've been trying to raise my kill level every time I come back to it, and it isn't easy at all, rounding off this game to a lot of fun in the process. I still have yet to beat it, so I couldn't tell you anything about the ending, I'm sure it's probably not that good, but I don't care, all I care about is the game itself, brutal. AGCI, I thank you.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/18/03, Updated 01/18/03