Chrysler Classic Racing (Nintendo DS) - Review by Andrew

Introduction

We're not sure how many racers are available on the DS but we do know that there are lots because since the handheld's introduction just about every publisher has released at least one title embracing the genre. Chrysler Classic Racing at least attempts to mix things up a little because rather than going for the latest and most powerful performance car they have instead opted for the more sedate classics from the 50's and 60's. That's not to say that this isn't a perfect setting for a racing title as so many films from the period featured the 'race for slips' where drivers battled it out in order to actually win their opponents car. It does seem a perfect setting for a racing game then, but what's it like?

Gameplay

In Classic Racing you play the role of a young nerd in the 1950's. With no street cred and little money you turn to racing to increase your popularity and hopefully win the attention of a girl or two along the way. After purchasing your first car you'll quickly find a race to enter which can take place both on the country roads and in the city streets. What you need to do to win changes from race to race and until you win, you'll be forced to race the same circuit over and over again. Fortunately most of them are simple enough and there are more than enough collectibles to pick up along the way ranging from simple cash to 'cool points' The latter will elevate you through the ranks although actually winning races doesn't hurt either.

Controls

While the controls are pretty standard you will become increasingly frustrated with your car's handling and not until you perfect both drifting and the handbrake turn will you achieve any level of success. In fact, not until you upgrade to one of the more expensive enhancement packages will you feel any real sense of control. Until then you may as well be driving your car on ice. More problematic than the handling though are the other cars because regardless of how you collide with them they will always come off better. You try your best to avoid them but don't expect them to do the same.

After each race you will also be challenged to 'run the gauntlet' with another racer. This is a little more challenging but there is the opportunity to win cash and other goodies should you cross the finish line first. This allows you not only buy to upgrades but also to purchase new and more powerful cars. In addition to the standard racing there are a handful of mini-challenges, which are generally handed down by your potential girlfriend to prove your love for her and that you can actually drive. This is a top-down affair where you must drive around a fairground collecting Teddy Bears. After 20 levels it's all over, and with no Multiplayer, the only real replay value is the fact that all the tracks can be revisited in order to improve your times.

Graphics

Looking at the visuals in this game, it's almost like the last decade never happened. The bland landscapes with minimal objects dotted about look like a poorly designed 3D game from a long time ago. The various cut-screens suffer from the same lack of care but surely the actual engine could have supported more complex visuals than those on display here.

Sound

You'd expect the soundtrack to be particularly well crafted in a racing title to get the heart rate pumping and add to the game's overall sense of speed. Unfortunately the developers appear to have overlooked this section completely with the music closer to Driving Miss Daisy than the Fast and the Furious. The sound effects are just as mundane and like the gameplay, they simply have no sense of speed or power.

Dual screen

There's no actual in-game use for the touch-screen but you can select the various options with your trusty stylus.

Final comments

While there's nothing unique about Classic Racing it could still have passed as run of the mill racer. Unfortunately it doesn't even succeed on this level. Poor control mixed with awful production values and a weak plot makes this one of the more disappointing racing games we've encountered. Obviously, since last year's DIRT it's difficult to produce anything that is going to excite your average DS petrol head, but this doesn't even seem to want to try. A real non-starter.

Pro: Upgrades do Improve Your Car's Performance, Archived Poster Gallery.
Con: Poor Sound and Visuals
Final score: 4.1

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