Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing Demo - Impressions

So. Because the game has been interesting me for quite some time, I downloaded the demo of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (it's not over!) With Banjo-Kazooie (whew!). Now, I've been sort of debating whether I should get the Wii or 360 version, so one of the main reasons for getting the demo is to see how much shinier the 360 version is and how it controlled. And, of course, I want to know whether Sega Racing (why couldn't they have called it that?) has any chance of beating out Mario Kart for the best wacky kart-based game. I'll give it to you now: based on the demo, Mario Kart is substantially better, big surprise. Now for the rest of my thoughts.

First off, the game controls quite well. The controls are quite responsive for the most part, if the default scheme is a bit weird for Mario Kart fans.The only issue I saw here was that occasionally I would accidentally drift the wrong way, and using the same button for drifting and tricks seems quite haphazard as I'm fairly sure that if you're doing a trick when you hit the ground you get penalized... problematic if you want to immediately drift.

The game is also fairly pretty. The actual models seemed a biiit last generation, but it doesn't really matter in a game like this; as you're speeding along you don't notice any graphical "issues". It certainly looks pretty enough, and the track seemed very nicely made, a pleasure to look at.

But neither of these aspects matter all that much. The gameplay is what everyone wants to know. Is it a Mario Kart clone? Is it better or worse? Is it... fun? Well, it's certainly fun when you're in first. Everything is bright and cheery, the drifting mechanism works well, and you'll likely cruise along at a solid pace for the most part, tossing some items behind you as you drive. Then, however, comes the beginning of the race and if you get caught near the end of the pack. When you're actually competing with opponents, they feel very... stiff. The game has a distinct feel that you're racing alone. The items don't seem to do all that much, and you'd have to REALLY try if you want to knock anyone off the track... it's nothing like the frantic contact sport of Mario Kart. And it's not nearly as fun.

But my biggest issue with SSASRwBJ (JEEZ) is the items. In kart-based game, you'd typically expect items to really help racers who are falling behind, preventing the race from becoming too one-sided. In this game... well, items are practically useless in this regard! Not only do the items not DO all that much (they just spin you a little as opposed to Mario Kart's style of stopping you completely), but you're pretty much getting the EXACT SAME ITEMS no matter what your place is! For a few races I was stuck in the back of the race, in seventh or eighth place, and I pretty much got the same items that someone in third would get: triple boosts (not as effective as in Mario Kart), triple rockets/boxing gloves (the shell equivalents), and an occasional SHIELD. Yes, apparently I need a shield in last place, thanks!

And then there's the fabled All-Star moves... claimed to be able to turn the race on its head. As you might have guessed by now, they don't do that. At ALL. Several times I sat in eighth place, waiting for a good item to save me, while watching the seventh place car get the All-Star. This coupled with the facts that apparently only one person can use an All-Star at a time and that if you DO get the All-Star you're likely so far behind (the pack gets separated FAST) that it will do nothing for you makes the item nigh useless.

As it turns out, Sega Racing is really quite fun on lower difficulties, as you'll likely lead with little to no issue and hit people with a boxing glove occasionally. However, much like Mario Kart Wii, it gets frustrating when you put the difficulty too high, but for completely different reasons. I must say, being stuck in last with no chance of coming back might be even more frustrating than being in first before being bombarded with various items! At least in Mario Kart Wii I knew that if I fell back I could get back up with items.

It's a shame, really, that Sega Racing is plagued by these balance issues, as they really keep it from being anywhere near the caliber of Mario Kart. I'll remain optimistic for the moment and hope that perhaps the final game is more balanced, but until then the demo remains as proof that, no matter how people complain about it, Mario Kart really does know what it's doing for the most part, and is the best kart racer on the market.

Top Five Features I Want on Nintendo's Next Console

Let's face it: the Wii, while a good gaming system in its own right, is fairly far behind the rest of the Generation when it comes to features and technical specs. The reason why this is is fairly obvious, and it was a smart decision, but all the same I want the Wii 2 (it won't be called that) to be a MUCH more top-notch system and a top-notch system needs fancy STUFF, right? So here I'm going to list my top five things the Wii 2 (still not called that) should have.

5. HD Graphics

YES, gameplay is much more important than graphics. That's why this is at number five! But the point still stands that prettier looking games look, well, prettier! The proposition of an HD Nintendo system becomes that much more sweet sounding when you realize that Nintendo would do much more with it than Sony of Microsoft. Nice graphics shine best with style, not realism!

4. Backwards Compatibility

The next console being able to play Wii games should be a high priority for sure. It just expands the library and makes the console that much easier to buy! I mean, I almost certainly would've gotten a DSi if it had played GBA games! The Wii 2 (not the name) being able to play Gamecube games would be amazing, too.

3. Achievements

Achievement unlocked: Write a blog post!

...That was so lame. I'm sorry. Anyway, achievements (or trophies or stamps or whatever) are awesome in general. It's just undeniably cool to be able to feel more sense of accomplishment throughout the game! The Wii has some games with these (Wii Sports Resort comes to mind) but the Wii 2 (that is so totally not what it's called) really needs to make them a standard for all games and add a point system, like the other consoles. Maybe with Nintendo's magic, they could even do something like unlock system menu skins by having enough points?!

2. Better online

Gosh. Freaking. DANGIT Nintendo! What is wrong with you here?! Friend codes would be fine as long as they're optional, but please just let people who want to have online friends have their online friends! Do you know what Friend Codes are doing? They're making little kids go to evil places like GameFAQs *shudder* and find "friends". You're making them more vulnerable to online predators, not less! Even outside of Friend Codes, make the online better. Make games like Brawl not suck online. Seriously.

1. Bigger, Better Hard Drive

If there is anything that I find more annoying about the Wii than its general incapability for DLC, I don't know what it is. It's just frustrating when people want to add shiny DLC things and can't because of the Wii's inability to hold them and use them! And I'm sorry, but when SD Cards are your main source of a hard drive, you know there's a problem...




You know what'd be funny? If someone was looking back on this blog post after the next console's release and it was called the Wii 2 (IT WON'T BE).