FoxKids.com Micro Maniacs Racing

"Fun On Foot As Mico Machines Is Stripped Bare!"

The long running series of “Micro Machines” had been successful since its interception way back in the Master System days. Bucking the trend of racing micro cars, “Micro Maniacs” makes the single biggest step the series has ever taken…ditched the cars and decided to go on foot.
At first it seems like a crazy idea, but as you’ll see it gives the game a whole new diversity of game play.
Firstly, 8 new characters (not one carried over from the other games) are introduced and after choosing one, you get straight into the action. Despite the running midgets replacing the cars, the controls and feel of the game is still familiar. The same near-top-down view is used, which handily gives you enough of a peek ahead so you can ready yourself for the turns ahead.
Its not just turns you’ll be facing this time. Now there are jumps to negotiate, and if you miss them, or forget to jump, time will be lost and so will your race! Not only that, there’s not environments where your required to climb and/or use a zip line! These entire extra pieces of racing really make a difference and vary the game so much. It’s refreshing to see a game that dares to be diverse, and it pays off.
Each racetrack, and there’s 41 in all, has an individual feel. Some of them even have standalone pieces in them that wow you. One particular track involves running around a boy’s bedroom floor, and getting sucked into a computer game! The originality that’s set the series apart really comes up trumps here. Another memorable track sees you running around an operating theatre!
Single player mode is vital to the game as you can unlock all the tracks so that you can compete on them for the multi-player games.
Multi-tap users will adore this game, allowing up to 8 players to race at once, and even just like in Micro Machine’s V3, you can use half a controller each!
Multiplayer is still where the game excels best. There’s nothing quiet the like the happiness you can gain from pushing your friend off the side of the bath, or into a frazzling barbeque!
“Micro Maniacs” is a game that is hard to fault. It has some excellent graphics, superb controls, stunning and addictive game play and multiplayer mayhem! It really does have it all, and is an essential purchase for anyone wants some fun. This is the best in the series to date.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/06/03, Updated 06/30/03