Space Racer

Moby ID: 250
DOS Specs
See Also

Description

Space Racer is an action racing game with a sci-fi theme. The player controls a futuristic hoverbike, competing against computer-controlled vehicles of a similar kind. The races take place in outer space-themed environments, resembling surfaces of alien planets. The player should try to avoid collision with the other bikes to get to the finish line first; a more violent way of solving the same problem involves shooting at the opponents. The altitude of the hoverbike depends on its speed - the faster it goes, the farther away from the ground it is, and vice versa.

Screenshots

Credits (DOS version)

5 People

Author / Programmer
Artist
Assistants
Music

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 60% (based on 10 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 40 ratings with 1 reviews)

A racing game with fabulous backdrops and a few nice touches

The Good
I wouldn't sit down and play this game if it weren't for the backdrops on each of the three levels. You race overlooking the mountains in level one, a city in the second level, and some skulls in the third. Each of the backgrounds are well designed, and they move your hoverbike along the one track.

I also like the game mechanics. You can shoot at other riders, a technique unknown in other racers of its time. You can also watch them crash into an obstacle and explode. When you do the same thing, your rider cursing whatever hit him is a nice touch.

The HUD is laid out nicely, with the type of game and the score on the left. I don't know what is on the right, but it looks like a pair of glasses with directions serving as eyes.

Both the music on the title screen and the sound effects are good.

The Bad
The controls a bit difficult to get used to. Pressing up on the joystick only ascends the bike, not accelerate it. You have to get near the surface for that to happen.


The Bottom Line
I believe this is the shortest review that I've written. This is because Space Racer is just a simple race game, but you can attack your fellow riders, a excellent game mechanic that is later seen in games such as Death Rally. The backdrops are well drawn, and both the music and sound effects are nice. I like the sampled speech at the beginning of each race. If you are looking for space-based video games, then you should enjoy this game.

Amiga · by Katakis | カタキス (43092) · 2012

Trivia

Space Racer's title music is pieced together from small sound snippets that are arranged on the fly to form a longer piece of music. It's very clever, and works well.

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  • MobyGames ID: 250
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Donny K..

Thomson MO added by Trypticon. Thomson TO added by Rola. Amstrad CPC added by Martin Smith. ZX Spectrum, Amiga, Commodore 64, Atari ST added by Blood.

Game added August 27, 1999. Last modified August 17, 2023.