Of the multitude of Mario Kart clones released since Nintendo's chubby funster first parked his sizeable rump in the seat of a 50cc trundler, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing was one of the most competent alternatives. The bundling together of current and classic Sega characters finally gave a Mario Kart to those of the Mega Drive and Dreamcast persuasion, and while it didn't have the greatest handling or multiplayer in the world, that it merely existed was enough for most.
This wasn't something the inevitable sequel could simply sit on, of course, which is why Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed comes with completely revamped physics and handling, partly thanks to the addition of ex-Project Gotham Racing guru Gareth Wilson as the game's lead designer.
Character assassination
It isn't all thrills, mind - there are a couple of spills that drop the game slightly below a more coveted 9 score. The character roster is actually poorer than that of the original game, with Sega fan favourites like Alex Kidd and Shenmue star Ryo scrapped while the likes of Jet Set Radio, NiGHTS and Space Channel 5 get two characters each when only one would suffice.
Cynics would say the presence of these games on XBLA would suggest Sega's letting marketing cross-promotion take precedent over a diverse Sega fan-pleasing roster, and the inclusion of US racing heroine Danica Patrick and Disney star of the moment Wreck-It Ralph would add some weight to that argument. While the final unlockable is truly a marvellous sight, there's still a feeling that this roster is a step back from what was on offer before. Still, no doubt the inevitable downloadable content will put paid to that (pun intended).
It's a good job the actual action on the track (and sea and air) makes up for it. The actual courses themselves offer huge, sprawling laps packed with detail and multiple routes, offering further nods to more obscure Sega games like Panzer Dragoon and Burning Rangers. And the Project Gotham influence is made clear in the World Tour mode - which brings variety to proceedings by giving the player various drift, boost and traffic-dodging challenges in reward for stars that unlock characters.
10 comments so far...
KernowDevil23 on 16 Nov '12 said:
It's pretty cool to see that this is receiving universal critical acclaim. Every review I've read has been very positive so this has just performed a last lap dash to the top of my wanted list!
Alaric14 on 17 Nov '12 said:
Have to admit I'm a little more intrigued by this than I thought I could be...Is the kid in me banging his fists against my robust adult ribcage in an attempt to get out? I only ask because I have an urge to purchase LEGO Lord of the Rings as well.
Clanger67 on 17 Nov '12 said:
Im quite looking forward to Lego Lord of the rings.Reckon it will be quite maturish though i have heard Lego batman 2 is.Seems the games have grown up quite a lot,plus Tom Bombadil is gonna be in it a must purchase.
SidTheSloth on 20 Nov '12 said:
You guys on the fence with this, i bought the original a while back and yes it's simplistic etc but i really really enjoyed it, and having tried the demo/read the reviews it seems for the most parts they've improved on it no end so i can only recommend it!
Having been disappointed with the F1 karting effort i'll be picking this one up instead at some point!
KernowDevil23 on 21 Nov '12 said:
Mines on it's way from Tesco. Bargain buy already at only £23.50!!
SidTheSloth on 21 Nov '12 said:
Think they played a blinder releasing it a bit cheaper - don't understand why more companies don't follow suit with this tbh, perhaps it's because they understand economics better than I, but surely it'd help some games sell much better.
As this is a bit of an underdog and i planned to get it anyway i just ordered it despite having 50% of the original left to play!
Word of warning for any of you cheevo whores, there's a pretty shitty one for 10G in there where it seems you need 4 players locally, and then another 6 online or something and then with your character finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and fourth in a ten game race series. I'd rather drink a smoothie made from my faeces than be arsed with that but i know some people are put off by such things!
Raluph on 18 Dec '12 said:
I'm still torn between this and Forza horizon. I will eventually get both, but which one first?
Alaric14 on 22 Dec '12 said:
If you want simplicity, SEGA All-Stars. For complexity, Forza is your game. So, are you more in the mood for simple...or complex?
Or you could just be a cheap Christmas bastard and buy SEGA All-Stars first, seeing as it's only around twenty-five quid.
DGR1980 on 22 Dec '12 said:
If you have anyone else who will play in the same room ass you get Sonic.
Chameleon on 3 Jan '13 said:
I like this game, but Sega should be thoroughly disgusted with themselves for the complete inability to play properly with a wireless wheel.
On the Wii, just about the only thing my wife loved was Mario Kart and the first Sonic; once Kinect came out, we ditched the Wii entirely. At Christmas we decided that, to try to get her playing again, we'd get this along with the wireless speed wheel, so it was a more 'Wii-esque' system for her to get to grips with.
Unfortunately, the wheel has no thumbsticks, so Sega thoughtfully decide to make use of these and have ZERO options for anything else. Flight controls - you have to use the left thumbstick to go up or down, point-blank refusing to use the wheel as a yoke = fly straight into walls!; stunts controlled by the right thumbstick with no option to use the (unused) d-pad. Appalling!
And half a dozen stores are doing a console+wireless wheel+Sonic package...
I will enjoy this with a controller, but we bought it for my wife to have fun with... Hang your head in shame, Sega.
Edit: and a slight aside to OXM that they didn't try out an official MS accessory and note this issue in their review.