Pac-Man World Rally
Will this latest take on the Mario Kart formula prove to be a must have racer?
Preview by Andrew Calvin (Email)
December 12th 2005
The Basics: Set to span the Xbox, PS2, GC, PSP, and PC, Pac-Man World Rally will be unavoidable come summer 2006 when it offers the latest take on a very successful formula of cartoony action and kart racing. The cast comprises 14 playable characters from Pac-Man and other Namco classics and throws them onto 15 race tracks, filled with jumps, sharp turns, and other addition to keep even veteran racers glued to their seats.
Of course, there will be power-ups and fruit pickups that unlock secret shortcuts. Beyond the standard tracks lie six multiplayer battle arenas. Advanced mechanics such as power sliding will ensure that players gain complete mastery of their favorite racers.
What do we think? Pick your favorite franchise and swap it into the beginning of this preview. Bomberman did it. Crash did as well, and so did tons of others. They all used the Mario Kart formula to cash in on one of the most exciting styles of racers out there today.
Face it, these games are accessible to anyone and rarely get old. Judging from the screenshots and other information, Pac-Man World Rally may very well be another fine homage to the genre. As long as it sticks to the formula, controls are tight, and it adds some original components, World Rally will be perfect for the multiplayer, kart-racing crowd.
