Cartoon Network Racing is a racing video game developed by Eutechnyx for PlayStation 2 and Firebrand Games for Nintendo DS, published by Danish video game developer The Game Factory, and released on December 4, 2006, in North America, and on February 9, 2007, in Europe. The gameplay is similar to Nintendo's 2003 game Mario Kart: Double Dash, but the characters and racetracks are all from six of Cartoon Network's original animated television series: Courage the Cowardly Dog, Cow and Chicken, Dexter's Laboratory, I Am Weasel, Johnny Bravo, and The Powerpuff Girls.
| Cartoon Network Racing | |
|---|---|
 European PlayStation 2 version cover art | |
| Developer(s) |
|
| Publisher(s) | The Game Factory |
| Engine | Octane (DS) |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
edit
There are two characters the player must choose: a driver, who drives a go-kart, and a co-driver, who uses all weapons and has two "toon powers". There are tournaments which players must race a series of races and win with the most points. Battle modes in arenas let two teams battle in different modes, and Cartoon Eliminators are endurance races where last kart in each lap is eliminated. The karts have three stats: acceleration, speed, and handling (if chosen as driver). If co-driver, they have two toon powers that fall into four categories: Shield, Attack, Boost and Flight.
All characters in the DS version are single-racers in separate karts. Each character's toon power can be used when their toon power bar is full. There are 1-8 players available in this version, and two bonus games can be unlocked.
A gallery in the PlayStation 2 version contains 12 unlockable cartoon episodes, two from each show. The first episode is unlocked by completing each cartoon-themed tournament while the other is unlocked by winning the super tournament with the driver of the series the player wants to unlock. The DS version features only three unlockable cartoons.
Characters
editThe Nintendo DS version features 20 playable characters, while 24 are included in the PlayStation 2 version.
- Courage the Cowardly Dog
- Courage
- Eustace Bagge
- Muriel Bagge
- I Am Weasel
- I.M. Weasel
- I.R. Baboon
- Red Guy
- Johnny Bravo
- Johnny Bravo
- Bunny Bravo
- Suzy
- Carl Chryniszzswics[a]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| DS | PS2 | |
| Metacritic | 55/100[9] | 39/100[10] |
| Publication | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| DS | PS2 | |
| GameRevolution | N/A | D−[1] |
| GameSpot | 6.3/10[2] | 3.8/10[3] |
| GameZone | 6.5/10[4] | 5/10[5] |
| IGN | 5.8/10[6] | 3.4/10[7] |
| NGamer | 24%[8] | N/A |
The DS version received "mixed" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version received "generally unfavorable reviews" according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[9][10]
Lucas M. Thomas of IGN criticized the DS version for its similarities to the Mario Kart series, especially Mario Kart DS, as well as for having no characters from other Cartoon Network shows that were airing new episodes at the time.[6] GameSpot's Aaron Thomas pointed out the same version's resemblance to Mario Kart, but he explained that a younger audience would find the game more enjoyable than an audience of serious gamers would.[2]
References
edit- ^ Andrien, Chris (December 11, 2006). "Cartoon Network Racing Review (PS2)". GameRevolution. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ a b Thomas, Aaron (December 18, 2006). "Cartoon Network Racing Review (DS)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ Thomas, Aaron (December 18, 2006). "Cartoon Network Racing Review (PS2)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 5, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ Knutson, Michael (December 15, 2006). "Cartoon Network Racing - NDS - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ Bedigian, Louis (January 9, 2007). "Cartoon Network Racing - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 30, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (January 11, 2007). "Cartoon Network Racing Review (NDS)". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Roper, Chris (December 5, 2006). "Cartoon Network Racing Review (PS2)". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ "Cartoon Network Racing". Nintendo Gamer: 83. February 2007.
- ^ a b "Cartoon Network Racing for DS Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ a b "Cartoon Network Racing for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2014.