Roadsters
European Nintendo 64 cover art
Developer(s)Titus Interactive (Nintendo 64)
Genetic Fantasia (Game Boy Color)
Smart Dog (PlayStation)
Player 1 (Dreamcast)
Publisher(s)Titus Interactive
Platform(s)Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color
ReleaseNintendo 64
  • NA: December 14, 1999[1]
  • EU: December 17, 1999
Game Boy Color
  • NA: January 2000
  • EU: 2000
Dreamcast, PlayStation
  • NA: March 20, 2000[2]
  • EU: July 7, 2000 (DC)
  • EU: 2000 (PS)
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Roadsters (working title: Roadsters Trophy) is a racing game released by Titus Software for Nintendo 64 in 1999, and for PlayStation, Dreamcast and Game Boy Color in 2000. It is a car racing game that features both licensed cars from manufacturers (e.g. Mitsubishi, Alfa Romeo, Lotus) and unlicensed cars from imaginary manufacturers that are based on and bear great resemblance to their equivalent, real car models. The game also includes a multi-player mode supports up to 2 human players that can compete in any of the available circuits with 4 more CPU controlled racers.[3] A PlayStation 2 version was originally planned to release on April 11, 2001.[4]

Gameplay

Roadsters is a car racing game that features both licensed cars from manufacturers (e.g. Mitsubishi, Alfa Romeo, Lotus) and unlicensed cars from imaginary manufacturers that are based on and bear great resemblance to their equivalent, real car models. The game has 8 racers and 34 cars from which players can choose from and 4 modes in total.

In the Roadster Trophy, the player starts by selecting one of the available racers and is given a sum of money that must be used to acquire a car. There are 3 divisions in which the player can compete on with the 3rd being of the easiest difficulty and requiring less money to participate; the 1st being the most difficult one and needing a higher amount of money in order to participate. More money can be earned by winning the races and that in turn allows to buy new cars or upgrade the ones that are already in possession. In Quick Race the player can select the racer, car, circuit and weather conditions, and race against 7 more CPU controlled players.

The game also includes a Multi-Player mode which supports up to 2 human players that can compete in any of the available circuits with 4 more CPU controlled racers. The mode allows for either vertical or horizontal split screen. Like Quick Race mode, the player can also select here the racer, car, circuit and weather conditions but without the competition of the other modes, the player races against time for as many laps as the player wants.[3]

Reception

The Nintendo 64 and PlayStation versions received mixed reviews, while the Dreamcast and Game Boy Color versions received unfavorable reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[5][6][7][8] Michael Wolf of NextGen said of the N64 version in its April 2000 issue, "While not as adrenaline-pumping as San Francisco Rush, it's a solid game with a decent engine that will certainly tide racing fans over until Nintendo releases Ridge Racer 64."[31] Three issues later, however, Greg Orlando said that the Dreamcast version "provides a rather straight and uninterrupted ride to ennui."[30]

Four-Eyed Dragon of GamePro said of the Nintendo 64 version in one review, "While it doesn't grab victory honors in the racing genre, Roadsters still crosses the finish line with a flourish. Both casual drivers and hardcore racers will enjoy taking a ride with this impressive game."[33][lower-alpha 3] In another GamePro review, however, The Freshman said that the same N64 version "isn't bad, it's just average, which is a good thing for Titus (infamous for Superman for the N64). If you really need another racer for the N64, get this one. If not, wait for Ridge Racer 64, or just go play Beetle Adventure Racing again. Your N64'll thank you."[34][lower-alpha 4] Later, The D-Pad Destroyer said that the Dreamcast version "could have been a lot better, but it just doesn't seem like the developers put enough care into it. With so many problems, especially in its control, Roadsters is about as fun as the flu during Spring Break."[35][lower-alpha 5] The Freshman said that the PlayStation version "isn't the worst PSX racer out there, but it's far from the best. You're better off with a Need for Speed or a Ridge Racer if you want arcade racing on the PSX."[36][lower-alpha 6]

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the Nintendo 64 version, two critics gave it each a score of 4.5/10, while one gave it 3.5/10, and the other 3/10.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the Dreamcast version, one critic gave it 51, another gave it 53, and a third gave it 60.
  3. ↑ In one review, GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 2/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for control.
  4. ↑ In another review, GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4/5 scores for graphics and control, and two 3.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor.
  5. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, 2.5/5 for control, and 3/5 for fun factor.
  6. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version three 3/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for control.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (December 14, 1999). "Roadsters Goes Dirt Cheap". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  2. ↑ "ROADSTERS SET TO ZOOM INTO STORES (Mustang Give Away Excites Consumers, Retailers)". Titus Interactive. March 20, 2000. Archived from the original on February 11, 2001. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Titus Software (1999) Roadsters Manual
  4. ↑ "Video Game release dates". The Pantagraph. Lee Enterprises. March 29, 2001. p. 65. Retrieved November 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Roadsters for Dreamcast". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Roadsters for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Roadsters for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Roadsters for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  9. ↑ Scoleri III, Joseph. "Roadsters (N64) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  10. ↑ Kanarick, Mark. "Roadsters (PS) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  11. ↑ Mahood, Andy (April 21, 2000). "Roadsters (DC) [Incomplete]". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 18, 2000. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  12. ↑ Mahood, Andy (February 4, 2000). "Roadsters (N64)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  13. ↑ Chou, Che; Johnston, Chris; Hager, Dean; Davison, John (February 2000). "Roadsters (N64)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 127. Ziff Davis. p. 180. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  14. ↑ Nash, Jeff (May 28, 2000). "Roadsters (DC)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on September 10, 2002. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  15. ↑ Conlin, Shaun (February 16, 2000). "Roadsters (N64)". EP Daily. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on February 23, 2002. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Roadsters (DC)". Game Informer. No. 86. FuncoLand. June 2000.
  17. ↑ "Roadsters Trophy [sic] (N64)". Game Informer. No. 81. FuncoLand. January 2000.
  18. ↑ Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (May 2000). "Roadsters (DC)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 5. Shinno Media. pp. 56–57. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  19. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus" (May 2000). "Roadsters (DC)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 5. Shinno Media. p. 14. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  20. ↑ "REVIEW for Roadsters (N64)". GameFan. Shinno Media. December 17, 1999.
  21. ↑ Amsbury, Robert (April 2000). "Roadsters Review (N64)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  22. ↑ Stahl, Ben (April 11, 2000). "Roadsters Review (DC) [date mislabeled as "March 4, 2004"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on November 7, 2004. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  23. ↑ Stahl, Ben (December 22, 1999). "Roadsters Trophy [sic] Review (N64) [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 20, 2004. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  24. ↑ Jetzep (March 24, 2000). "Roadsters". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  25. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (March 27, 2000). "Roadsters Review (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  26. ↑ Harris, Craig (February 23, 2000). "Roadsters (GBC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  27. ↑ Boulding, Aaron (January 6, 2000). "Roadsters (N64)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  28. ↑ Bishop, Samuel (May 1, 2000). "Roadsters (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  29. ↑ Weaver, Tim (Christmas 1999). "Roadsters". N64 Magazine. No. 36. Future Publishing. pp. 58–59.
  30. 1 2 Orlando, Greg (July 2000). "Roadsters (DC)". NextGen. No. 67. Imagine Media. p. 91. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  31. 1 2 Wolf, Michael (April 2000). "Roadsters (N64)". NextGen. No. 64. Imagine Media. p. 85. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Roadsters". Nintendo Power. Vol. 128. Nintendo of America. January 2000. p. 144. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  33. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (February 2000). "Roadsters (N64)". GamePro. No. 137. IDG. p. 102. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  34. ↑ The Freshman (December 30, 1999). "Roadsters (N64)". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 19, 2005. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  35. ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (April 24, 2000). "Roadsters Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on March 15, 2004. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  36. ↑ The Freshman (April 21, 2000). "Roadsters Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 15, 2004. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
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