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Wacky Races: Crash & Dash Review for the Nintendo Wii

Wacky Races: Crash & Dash Review for the Nintendo Wii

Video games began life as rather difficult, skill-based tests of a player’s hand-eye coordination. As graphics and gameplay improved, video games began to change and focus more on exploration and story rather than the actual skill required for playing them. The Wii continues this evolution in gaming, providing players with simplified motion-sensing controls that are both intuitive and approachable, even to previous non-gamers.

Wacky Races: Crash & Dash screenshot

By bringing gaming to new audiences, the Wii’s success has helped pave the way for the acceptance of video games as a pastime enjoyed by more than just the stereotypical twelve to twenty-four year old male demographic. As a result, there are many games being released that continue to cater to this previously untapped group of new gamers.

Wacky Races: Crash & Dash is a clear example of this type of game. Based on the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon from the 1960s, Wacky Races may not ring a bell for many younger gamers. However, more aged gamers will feel right at home with the game’s very nostalgic feel and historic cast of characters. Players are given the choice of ten wacky racers from the show, with Dick Dastardly and his sidekick Muttley constantly scheming up ways to make their victory more difficult.

Each of these racers comes equipped with their own unique vehicles and abilities. Unfortunately, unique is a bit of a misnomer, as most of the discernible distinctions come solely from their names. Every vehicle in Wacky Races performs identically, with no differences in speed or handling. Also, almost every character in the game is provided with a form of flight, speed boost, and attack abilities. Whether the vehicle has a propeller and takes off by itself or a pterodactyl swoops in and scoops up the vehicle, the end result of flying is exactly the same. With the undeniable similarities shared by all of your choices, deciding between characters is a somewhat pointless affair.

Wacky Races: Crash & Dash screenshot

Once players have chosen a racer, they are finally free to take them for a spin on one of the game’s many racetracks. These tracks are artistically appealing, looking like cartoon backdrops come-to-life. Players will make their way through several different locales, each borrowing heavily from the visuals of the classic show. My only real complaint with these tracks comes in their severe lack of detail and variety. You may see a smattering of rocks and trees scattered about but otherwise, the backgrounds appear incredibly static and generic. While there aren’t a lot of objects or details present, multiple paths and numerous pitfalls help to keep players’ eyes focused more on the road than the scenery.

The gameplay found in Wacky Races is incredibly simplistic and clearly meant for a more casual crowd of gamers. Players will need to steer their vehicle with the analog stick, press the A button to use acquired abilities, and shake the Wii-mote to briefly dash. Staying on the track, remaining in first place, attacking foes, and successfully completing trap events will help fill the player’s Mad Dash Meter. Filling this meter will result in earning a Mad Dash Cog, with multiple Cogs allowing improved and extended dashing for your vehicle. Adversely, driving off of the track, breaking down, and falling behind will take Cogs away, leaving you with absolutely no chance for victory.

Wacky Races: Crash & Dash screenshot

Each race is broken into three segments by “traps”, which is just this game’s name for its mini-games. Twice during every race, Dick Dastardly will speed past the pack to signify that yet another mini-game is imminent. None of these are incredibly entertaining, mostly having players completing menial tasks such as sorting screws and pumping up rotating flattened tires. Since there are also very few of these traps available in the game, you will find yourself completing these same boring events countless times.

Wacky Races: Crash & Dash screenshot

Regrettably, much of the game’s racing is done from a side scrolling perspective with only the occasional and unpredictable shift to a more three-dimensional view. The camera will follow the action rather than the actual player, keeping all the racers within eyeshot of each other at all times. This makes gaining and maintaining the lead during any race virtually impossible. Combine this with the segmented approach of these races and the Mad Dash Cog mechanic, then suddenly much of game begins to feel entirely unnecessary. Absolutely nothing that transpires before the race’s finale will make any difference, assuming that you are able to easily accumulate and save several Mad Dash Cogs. All that is necessary for victory is slightly participating in the first two parts of each race and just waiting for your inevitable chance to shake your way to first place during the race’s final stretch.

Along with redeeming qualities, play modes are also in a very short supply in Wacky Races. There are only three options for players in the form of Crazy Circuit, Wacky Race, and Trap Challenge modes. Wacky Race allows for a single-race, while Crazy Circuit has you competing in six events made up of four races each. Trap Challenges provide the player with the undesirable option of repeatedly tackling the game’s limited selection of mini-games to see how many times they can successfully complete each.

With gameplay that will undoubtedly bore all but the incredibly young, and characters that likely won’t resonate with anyone under the age of forty, I’m not quite sure if this game will appeal to anyone. Furthermore, when you factor in the unnecessarily repetitive and limited nature of this title, it becomes more apparent that this game is doomed. Unfortunately, Wacky Races’ limited charm and humor does little to overcome what is easily one of the most disappointing experiences that can be found on the Wii. If you are a fan of the old cartoon, this game’s forty dollar price tag would honestly be better spent on purchasing a DVD compilation of the show.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 2.3 Graphics
Unfortunately, even with a distinctly cartoon look, this game’s graphics are rather bland. 2.7 Control
While everything basically works as it should, steering is still made difficult by a mixture of poor camera angles and claustrophobic tracks. 3.5 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
With a mix of good voice talent, music, and interesting sound effects, Wacky Races manages to sound better than it plays. 1.0

Play Value
There is very little reason to play this game other than for nostalgia. As a racing game, it is an incredibly repetitive, simplistic, boring, and seemingly pointless endeavor.

1.5 Overall Rating – Avoid
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Players join Dick Dastardly and the gang, racing across a variety of action-packed and colorful cross-country rallies from the TV series.
  • The game features all the characters and cars from the TV series including old favorites: Turbo Terrific driven by Peter Perfect, the Ant Hill Mob in their Bullet Proof Bomb, Penelope Pitstop, and the Mean Machine driven by Dick Dastardly and his sidekick, Muttley.
  • Racers watch out for traps and speed ahead to win the ultimate title of World’s Wackiest Racer!
  • Wacky Widgets are collected during the race to gain “Wacky Powers,” as well as a character’s super-special “Way Out Wacky” power, which can be used to gain the upper hand over sly opponents.

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