Classic Hanna-Barbera in a regrettably not-so-classic videogame.
Though you may not remember it, Wacky Races for the Dreamcast was actually a pretty darn good racing experience considering the fact that it was a licensed game. It was funny, challenging, and just generally very competent. That was eight years ago, as recent attempts to translate the popular Hanna-Barbera franchise into videogames have been met with more criticism. Now, today, Eidos brings us Wacky Races: Crash and Dash, in hopes that fans of the show will once again find something to love in Wacky Races gaming.
Wacky Wii-mote Waggling
Wacky Races features six circuits, each containing four unique tracks (that’s 24 total tracks for the mathematically-challenged). There’s also a single race mode where you can adjust additional options, and a short mini-game challenge mode as well. Any of the modes can be played with up to four players. There are also ten different racers to choose from, and if you recall anything from the old television show, you’ll know that they each drive their own very unique vehicle.
Unlike your usual racing game, Wacky Races focuses less on the race and more on the carnage (hence the name). This is evident immediately from the start, as generally all racers are on-screen simultaneously. The camera zips around corners, switching on the fly from side-scrolling to isometric to overhead perspectives, in an effort to provide a good view of all the action at all times… though a good view it hardly ever manages. Since everyone has to be lumped together into the screen area, it’s not possible to build a substantial lead or fall significantly behind.
In response to this obvious drawback, Wacky Races applies a sort of modified points system—it requires you to build power by earning Mad Dash Cogs throughout the race in preparation for the final stretch, where your number of cogs determines your placement. These cogs can be earned by simply racing and staying alive, but you can accelerate your acquisition of them by remaining in first place or wrecking other vehicles. They can be used to power your dash during the race (simply shake your Wii-mote to execute a dash), but you’ll want to save as many of them as possible for the final stretch, as races are won and lost there.
Steering your vehicle is simple enough (in theory, anyway)—simply hold the analog stick in the direction you wish to move. There is no gas pedal and no brake to deal with here; you just move the analog stick (wacky!). This is more challenging than it sounds, however, seeing as the camera frequently springs surprises upon you as it wraps around the various winding environments. In the midst of all the chaos, you’ll want to do your best to pick up myriad power-ups scattered across the track as well, as they’re your key to victory. These power-ups activate one of three crazy techniques that are unique to each racer. Or, if you manage to pick up a Way Out Widget, you’ll have an opportunity to bowl over everyone in your path with your super special power. Hit them all and earn a Super Screen-Out, which scores you two bonus Mad Dash Cogs.
The Dastardly Duo Devises Distracting Diversions During Your Drive
Just when you thought that all you had to pay attention to is the track, the power-ups, and the other racers, along come Dick Dastardly and his dog Muttley to toss more confounding variables into the equation. Rather than play by the rules like the rest of the civilized (heh) bunch, these two spend the vast majority of their time working on devious plans to try and trip up the other participants. Remind you of anyone at the office?
At a couple of spots throughout each race, Dick and Muttley pop up in an attempt to screw you up. At this point, the race pauses, a short animated cut scene ensues, and a mini-game starts. These mini-games are relevant in that they either reward or penalize you—in the form of Dash Cogs and Wacky Widgets—based on your performance. Unfortunately, while initially the mini-games are fun and the cut scenes humorous, there are only several of them in all, so they quickly grow tiresome… meaning that eventually, Dick Dastardly’s greatest threat of all is to your personal enjoyment.
This Game Is Wack
Wacky Races: Crash and Dash is definitely unique; in its camera-shifting, single-screen perspective, coupled with its reliance on the collection of Dash Cogs as a measure of performance, it’s a novel approach to a staling genre. But the crowded presentation of the racing action is more overwhelming than tactfully chaotic, and the winding camera and tumultuous array of attacks render the races too wacky for enjoyment. Sometimes it’s very difficult to tell where you are on screen. Other times, you’ll fall behind, and just after having been penalized and dropped back on track, you’ll meet another obstacle and repeat the entire process. Much of the experience feels like luck, and unless you’re planning to replay every track and memorize every turn, it’s nearly impossible to plan your route effectively without a good bit of guesswork involved. Overall, if you’re looking for a great party racing game, you’d be much better off opting for Mario Kart Wii than Wacky Races: Crash and Dash.
