Moto Racer

Moto Racer is an arcade style[2] motorcycle racing game developed by Delphine Software International and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation.[3] The game was originally to be published by BMG Interactive, but after BMG closed down its U.S. operations[4] it sold the publication rights to Electronic Arts.[5]

Moto Racer
Developer(s)Delphine Software International
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Designer(s)Paul Cuisset
Composer(s)Raphaël Gesqua
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • NA: September 3, 1997[1]
  • EU: September 1997
PlayStation
  • NA: November 30, 1997
  • EU: November 30, 1997
  • JP: December 18, 1997
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

Players race on either a motocross bike or street bike, depending on the track.[6] The PC version features a total of eight tracks, four of which are unlockable, while the PlayStation version adds two tracks for a total of ten.[7] A multiplayer option is also available, allowing two players to compete over a LAN or Internet on the PC[6] or split screen on the PlayStation version.[7] The single player modes include "Time Attack" and "Championship". The most laps a player can do is eight on the Practice Race.

Reception

Moto Racer was met with positive reception. On GameRankings it held a score of 75.50% for the PC version based on 4 reviews[9] and 80.09% for the PlayStation version based on 11 reviews.[8]

Next Generation reviewed the PC version of the game, rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "Moto Racer GP fills the vacant niche of the PC motorcycle racing genre admirably."[17]

Critics widely praised the PlayStation version for its sharp graphics[7][14][16][18][22] and strong sense of speed.[7][14][18][22] Tim Soete of GameSpot remarked that "the gut-turning velocities achieved during parts of the game - and the requirement that your reflexes one-up this pace - is definitely where the challenge lies in Moto Racer."[14] The vast majority also applauded the controls, particularly when using analog joypads.[7][14][18][22] Jay Boor of IGN disagreed, saying the realism and precision of the bike's handling frustrated him.[16] Crispin Boyer of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) acknowledged that while the game is too easy on easy difficulty, medium difficulty is rather unforgiving, but he and co-reviewers John Ricciardi and Kelly Rickards found this outweighed by the strong controls and overall fun of the game. EGM guest reviewer David Siller gave Moto Racer one of its few negative reviews, citing poor track design.[7] GamePro gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in both control and sound and a perfect 5.0 in graphics and fun factor, citing the exhilarating sense of speed, "instant onscreen responsiveness" of the controls, low-key musical score, and variety of tracks and options.[22]

Reviewers for IGN and Next Generation agreed that the PlayStation port, while clearly inferior to the PC version in terms of graphics, is an exemplary conversion given the PlayStation's limitations and provides the same essential gaming experience as the PC original.[16][18] Next Generation stated that "Although perhaps not quite as technically proficient as the PC version, Moto Racer for PlayStation loses nothing in the essence of the gaming experience it offers. A remarkable achievement."[18]

Sequels and spin-offs

Several sequels and spin-offs followed, including Moto Racer 2, Moto Racer World Tour, Moto Racer 3, Moto Racer 4,[23] Moto Racer Advance and Moto Racer DS.

Remake

In 2011, Anuman and Nobilis released a remake called Moto Racer 15th Anniversary for iOS and Microsoft Windows.

References
  1. Staff (September 3, 1997). "Now Shipping". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on February 18, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
    "A slew of new games have been released to retail outlets over the last few weekends, including...Moto Racer GP..."
  2. "Review". Home of the Underdogs. 1998. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  3. IGN.com: Moto Racer for PC
  4. "Cleaning Time: Corporations Slim Down". Next Generation. No. 31. Imagine Media. July 1997. p. 23.
  5. "In the Studio". Next Generation. No. 32. Imagine Media. August 1997. p. 19.
  6. "NG Alphas: Moto Racer". Next Generation. No. 28. Imagine Media. April 1997. p. 106.
  7. "Review Crew: Moto Racer". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 101. Ziff Davis. December 1997. p. 204.
  8. "Moto Racer for PlayStation". GameRankings. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  9. "Moto Racer for PC". GameRankings. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  10. Edge staff (May 1997). "Moto Racer (PC)". Edge (45).
  11. Edge staff (December 25, 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". Edge (53).
  12. "Moto Racer (PS)". Game Informer (55): 79. November 1997. Archived from the original on January 21, 1998. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  13. Hubble, Calvin (November 1997). "Moto Racer Review (PC)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on October 22, 2000. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  14. Soete, Tim (January 29, 1998). "Moto Racer Review". GameSpot. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  15. Kaiafas, Tasos (September 26, 1997). "Moto Racer Review". GameSpot. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  16. Boor, Jay (November 3, 1997). "Moto Racer". IGN. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  17. "Smokin'". Next Generation. No. 31. Imagine Media. July 1997. p. 168.
  18. "Finals". Next Generation. No. 36. Imagine Media. December 1997. p. 162.
  19. "Moto Racer". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. 1997.
  20. Williamson, Colin (December 1997). "Moto Racer GP [sic]". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on March 2, 2000. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  21. MacDonald, Duncan (1997). "PC Review: Moto Racing". PC Zone. Archived from the original on June 24, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  22. Dr. Zombie (December 1997). "PlayStation ProReview: Moto Racer". GamePro. No. 111. p. 152. Archived from the original on February 15, 2005. Retrieved November 25, 2014. Full review appears only in printed version.
  23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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