Reviewed
11.28.2000
Publisher
Front
Street
Publishing
Developer
Core
Format
24
Megabit
Origin
Domestic
Available
1995
(USA)
Exclusive
No
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
3rd
Person
Genre
Arcade
/ Racing
Player(s)
1-2
vs.
/ cooperative
Options
6
Button
Requires
n/a
Importable
n/a |
| Intro |
|
> Core was a big supporter of the Sega CD right
off the bat with titles like Chuck Rock, Heimdall, and Wonder
Dog. About a year after the Sega CD debut of
BC
Racers in the U.S. and Europe, Core brought the game
to the limited
32X and 3DO audience.
The 32X version was released exclusively in North America,
and published by U.S. Gold's short-lived publishing label, Front Street
Publishing.
> BC Racers not only stars Chuck Rock (also
on Genesis, Master System, and Game Gear),
but also takes place within his crazy prehistoric world. This game
sort of combines the cartoonish look of Mario Kart with
the on-bike fighting in Road Rash. Throw in smooth
scaling and interesting locales to complete the package.
> The story is simple: Millionaire playboy caveman Millstone Rockafella
arranges a wild and crazy pre-historic bike race. The winner is to
receive the coveted ULTIMATE BOULDERDASH BIKE. Cliff Ace and his
cave-babe, Roxy, aim to acquire this bike of dreams! It's your job
to pick a bike team and win it all. |
| Graphics |
|
> To this day, the only 16-bit racing/driving game which can touch BC
Racers (even this 32-bit version) in pure technical sprite scaling
is Sega's own
Batman
Returns CD. Everything in BC Racers animates
ultra smoothly while even more (than the Sega CD version)
background objects constantly scale in and out of view. The various
characters are drawn in cartoon cell format, which is cool. Thanks
to the power of 32X, Core used 256 colors on
screen for this version, which is instantly discernible. My only complaint
in this department is the size of the screen, which is not full. |
| Control |
|
> Still superb (just a tad more drift than the Sega CD version).
The controls are left/right attack, accel, view in/out, and nitro (limited
to one every lap). You can fight and race alone, or team up with
a friend, who controls the attacks. You have to be careful not to
take too much damage, either by hitting objects and/or being attacked,
because it's game over when your buggy breaks! That is why it's important
to pick up the food near the starting line, which fixes your damage.
Throw in sharp corners, drifting, jumps, rivers, swamps, dark of night,
and an occasional dinosaur crossing and you have one heck of a race to
run! |
| Sound |
|
> Perfect for this game. Core has included an assortment
of wacky jungle beats (different from the Sega CD version)
that Chuck would be proud to hear. It's not soundtrack
material, but it's worthy of its purpose. Meanwhile, the sound effects
are simply great. Everything from the engine noise to the collisions
is right on. Nice work. |
| Fun |
|
> It may be hard to believe, but the two player cooperative mode is a blast.
One person drives and the other fights. Each of the six duos you
can choose is rated in various categories like speed and acceleration.
Race through 32 heats in 8 locales in order to win that Ultimate Boulderdash
Bike. It's a blast if I've ever had one... |
| Bottom
Line |
|
> The 32X version is a little smoother and more detailed,
but Sega CD version has CD music, so pick your poison.
Any way you look at it, BC Racers is a game which showcases
the power of 32X and the prowess of Core.
Now, how about an uber-version!! |
| Ratings |
| Overall: 9.2 | Graphics:
9.5 | Control: 9.3 | Sound: 8.5 | Fun: 9.5 |
~ Shinobi
~
|
