Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing

SCORE: 66

I am sure you have read my preview for this hand held video game on the website by now. Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing had so much going for it, that I hoped it would shine above the other racers on the Playstation Portable (PSP). Unfortunately there are some major mechanical issues with Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing. Players get to race with some really cool Hot Wheels cars in some great locations. As you will see later, there are things can be done poorly which make this game a failure.

Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing starts the player with some great scenes, and nice looking Hot Wheels cars. Then the first race starts, and I wanted to know why there was such a graphical drop. Many times the walls, and road are exactly the same color. This makes certain curves impossible to see. I had to memorize tracks to be able to complete them. Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing is also very cheap by having the player punished for collisions, but the computer controlled vehicles get a boost. Hitting things can completely turn the player around as well.

The music is decent in Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing, however the constant revving engine sounds got a little old. Especially when I watched computer controlled characters leave me in the dust. What is the point of letting me think I am going fast audibly, but the rest of the game does not fit? I did not find any offensive language, or sounds while playing Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing on the PSP.

DSI Games did not include a lot of tracks, and an extremely slow unlocking of content system. Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing is the most difficult racing game I have ever played. If you want to complete this game, then you will be spending a lot of hours replaying the same races. Upgrades are few, and far between. Players really need them earlier in the game. This game contains Wi-Fi modes for up to four players.

The biggest problem with Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing is the controls. I never could figure out why some laps I could go through these nasty curves with no problems, and then the very next lap I could not stay off the walls. The other problem with Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing is if you make one mistake, you will finish in last place. I had no fun playing this game at all.

With all of the bad parts of Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing, I would still like to see a sequel. There are a lot of things that need to be cleaned up, but I like the Hot Wheels racing franchise, and feel it is worth it. The only lesson I gleaned from Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing is make one mistake and you will wind up in last place.
- Frank

Graphics: 67%
Sound: 72%
Replay/Extras: 64%
Gameplay: 52%
Family Friendly Factor: 76%
System: Playstation Portable
Publisher: DSI Games
Rating: 'E' for Everyone

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