Micro Machines (video game)
Micro Machines | |
---|---|
Developer(s) |
|
SNES, Game Boy | |
Release | 1991 |
Racing | |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Micro Machines is a racing game developed by Codemasters and originally published by Camerica for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991. Themed around Galoob's Micro Machines toys, players race in miniaturised toy vehicles around various environments. The game is the first installment in the Micro Machines video game series.
Micro Machines was developed because Galoob wanted Codemasters to develop a game based on their toy brand, although Galoob and Codemasters encountered legal issues with Nintendo over the game being unlicensed. Micro Machines was ported to several systems, and received reboots for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube in 2002. A sequel, Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament, was released in 1994, and the series was revived in 2016 with the release of a title for iOS and Android. Micro Machines received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising the originality and two-player mode, although some criticised the sprites on some versions. Retrospectively, it has been considered one of the greatest video games of all time.
Gameplay
Micro Machines is a
There are two game modes: the Micro Machines Challenge, and head-to-head. In both modes, players select a character. In Micro Machines Challenge, players race against three computer-controlled opponents, and must finish in first or second to qualify for the next round. Players are given three chances: if all three are lost the game is over. Every three races, players compete in a time trial race to earn an extra chance. In head-to-head, players race against another vehicle. Players are colour-coded, and the goal is to get lights on the screen to show the player's colour by getting a screen ahead of the other player, so the trailing player is no longer visible. When this happens, one light turns to the colour of the leading player. The game ends when all eight lights are one colour, or after three laps, in which case victory goes to the player with the most lights. If the game is tied, there is a "sudden death play-off", where the next player to win a light wins. The game starts with four lights of each colour. Head-to-head can be played in either single-player mode or with two players. With two players, certain characters have a handicap to give the other player a better chance.[3] The Game Gear version supports two players via link-up, or by players holding one end of the console each with one player using the buttons and the other the D-pad.[4]
Development
In 1990, the founders of Codemasters,
The prototype was showcased with multiple consoles networked. It featured buggies similar to those in Power Drift, targeting the United States market. Codemasters then obtained a licensing deal with Galoob, wanting a game based on its Micro Machines toys. California Buggy Boys was used as a base, and Galoob sent a good selection of toys to Codemasters.[1][5][7]
The development team did not have access to official Nintendo documents, and their knowledge of the NES's hardware came from
Micro Machines was completed in September 1990.
After the release of the NES version, ports for the
The CD-I version was coded by Ashley Hogg. He stated that there were problems that only occurred on this console, and
Graham was at the centre of development across platforms, and had no problem with the Game Gear version having vehicle behaviour similar to the NES version. Routledge and Saunders came up with the method of multiplayer on the same device. Multiplayer via link-up was difficult to implement, with problems such as the game losing sync.[1]
The Game Gear version was released in 1993,
Reception
Publication | Score |
---|---|
CU Amiga | 89% (Amiga)[31] |
The One | 89% (Amiga)[32] |
Amiga Power | 88% (Amiga)[13] |
Amiga Action | 83% (Amiga)[33] |
Amiga Computing | 80% (Amiga)[34] |
Amiga Format | 90% (Amiga)[35] |
Mega Fun | 79% (Game Gear/Master System)[36] 78% (NES)[37] |
Amiga Dream | 75% (Amiga)[38] |
Coming Soon Magazine | 85% (PC)[39] |
Supersonic | 86% (Mega Drive)[40] |
Player One | 90% (Master System)[41] 90% (Game Gear)[42] |
Joypad | 89% (Game Gear)[43] 88% (Master System)[43] |
Mean Machines | 93% (NES)[44] |
Micro Machines received critical acclaim. The multiplayer mode in particular was well received, and some reviewers complimented the graphics and addictiveness. Reviewing the Mega Drive version, Computer and Video Games's Steve Keen lauded the vehicle movement and sound effects, and Paul Rand praised the multiplayer mode. Both described Micro Machines as one of the better racing games on the Mega Drive.[2] In 1994, Micro Machines was listed as their best Mega Drive driving game.[45] The reviewer from Mega magazine eulogised the playability, but criticised the lack of a save function. Nevertheless, he thought the game was "destined to become a classic".[26] In a later review, the game was described as "utterly wonderful", and the addictiveness of the head-to-head mode was praised. The game was listed at number eight of their top 100 list.[10] GamesMaster's Jim Douglas lauded the graphics, "brilliant" controls, and the two-player mode, and James Leach described the Mega Drive version as "even better" than the NES version, and eulogised the addictiveness.[27] A reviewer from Mean Machines Sega agreed with GamesMaster by complimenting the addictiveness of two-player mode, but believed the single-player mode is too easy.[9] Sega Force's reviewer praised the visuals and "colourful" graphics and the two-player mode, but described the sounds as "average".[28] The game was described as having an "undeniable charm" by a reviewer from French magazine Supersonic.[40]
The Game Gear and Master System versions were noted for the ability to link two units together, and the graphics, respectively. Reviewing the Game Gear version, Mean Machines Sega's reviewer believed the method of two players on one console was "revolutionary", but criticised the sprite flicker. Nevertheless, the game was described as "probably the most playable game around".[4] A reviewer from GamePro described the graphics as colourful, but criticised the difficulty of distinguishing vehicles despite the colour-coding. The sounds were described as "standard for the Game Gear", but the two-player via console sharing was lauded, but also described as "clumsy".[46] Computer and Video Games's Deniz Ahmet had a similar opinion to GamePro's reviewer by describing the graphics as "well designed", and also had an opinion similar to that of Mean Machines Sega, with regards to the two-players sharing function. The conversion was described as "extremely accurate".[24] Sega Master Force's reviewer liked the originality and addictiveness, and described the Game Gear version as "fantastic".[29] The Master System version was complimented by Mean Machines Sega for its two-player mode, describing it as "timeless", "great fun", and an "absolutely essential purchase"—but with "flat" graphics.[25] French magazine Player One eulogised the Master System version's two-player mode and echoed Mean Machines Sega's opinion by describing the game as "A must",[41] and in their Game Gear review, a similar compliment was made, calling it original and "well done".[42] The Game Gear and Master System versions were reviewed together by a reviewer from German magazine Mega Fun, who complimented their humour.[36] The animation of the Game Gear version was described by Joypad as "breathtaking", and that of the Master System version was described as "excellent". Their sprites were criticised, saying the Master System version deletes sprites when there is an excess of vehicles on screen, and the Game Gear version's sprites suffer slowdowns and blinks.[43]
Critics had mixed opinions on the Amiga version's graphics and sound.
Other versions were also well received. Reviewing the NES version,
Accolades
In 1995, Total! rated Micro Machines 5th In their Top 100 SNES Games. They praised the game calling it a "Uniquely designed experience" and the praised the top-down view, control system and the opponents A.I. that it works perfectly.[49] In 1996, Next Generation ranked Micro Machines as number 18 on their "Top 100 Games of All Time", citing the "heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping action", split-second accurate controls, and perfect balance.[50] Micro Machines was listed by The Guardian in June 2014 as one of the 30 best British video games.[51] The NES version is 31 in IGN's Top 100 NES Games, the highest ranked unlicensed game.[52]
References
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- ^ ISSN 1742-3155.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (13 February 2021). "The Making of Micro Machines". Read-Only Memory. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ ISSN 1350-1593.
- ^ "Micro Machines [1991] - NES". IGN. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ "Micro Machines [1993] - Game Gear". IGN. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ "Micro Machines [1994] - Master System". IGN. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ ISSN 0961-7310.
- ^ Kristan Reed (18 March 2003). "MicroMachines". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ Cory D. Lewis (15 April 2003). "Hands-On: Micro Machines". IGN. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ "Micro Machines [2002] - GameCube". IGN. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ "Farewell, Micro Machines". IGN. 17 April 2003. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ Ryan Ballard (29 September 2016). "Micro Machines is now available for Android". Droid Gamers. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ Wesley Yin-Poole (14 July 2016). "There's a new Micro Machines!". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ "Micro Machines is Back and It's Better Than Ever!". Business Wire. 19 July 2016. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ Emily Sowden (18 July 2016). "Micro Machines review - Does the iOS version hold up to the original?". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ Frank Provo (3 April 2000). "Micro Machines 1 and 2: Twin Turbo Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ AllGame. Archived from the originalon 15 November 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ Impact Magazines. November 1993. p. 36. Archived(PDF) from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Micro Machines". Amiga Joker (in German). September 1993. p. 18. 1278920-3.
- ^ ISSN 0963-0090.
- ^ ISSN 0955-4084.
- ^ ISSN 0957-4050.
- ^ ISSN 0959-9630.
- ^ ISSN 0957-4867.
- ^ ISSN 0946-6282.
- ^ ISSN 0946-6282.
- ^ a b "Micro machines". Amiga Dream (in French). No. 3. January 1994. p. 41.
- ^ a b "MICRO MACHINES by CODEMASTERS". Coming Soon Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ ISSN 0960-4952. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- (PDF) from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- (PDF) from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ISSN 1042-8658.
- ISSN 1042-8658. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 SNES Games". Total! (43): 39. July 1995.
- ISSN 1078-9693.
- ^ Simon Parkin; Rich Stanton; Keith Stuart (3 June 2014). "The 30 greatest British video games". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Top 100 NES Games - IGN.com". Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
External links
- Micro Machines at MobyGames
- The Making of Micro Machines at readonlymemory.vg