SNES Online's launch library has a decent selection of racing games. For today, my focus is on the last game in that subset. BACKGROUND:
I've heard the name "Stunt Race FX" before, but I've never actually seen the game in any meaningful capacity. For all intents and purposes, the SNES Online version is my first exposure to the game. SUMMARY: Stunt Race FX is, as the name implies, a racing game where you play as one of four cartoony vehicles with googly eyes. Both in terms of gameplay and design, these few vehicles are pretty distinct from one another, so the shallow roster isn't that off-putting. You can play one of four modes in this game. Speed Trax is your typical racing mode where you go through a grand prix consisting of four tracks (five laps each), plus a bonus stage where you drive through gates to earn points as a trailer truck (only playable in this bonus game). Stunt Trax has you drive around one of four arenas in order to collect stars. Battle Trax is your multiplayer mode, and Free Trax is your practice mode. Overall, there's plenty to do compared to the other Super Nintendo racing games I've already talked about. There are a decent number of tracks between all the different modes, and they're all visually distinct from one another, taking place in various places such as cities, snowy areas, forests, and more. The roads aren't just flat ground, either, and feature rather varied terrain (which is highlighted quite well in the Stunt Trax courses), adding a layer of challenge to the gameplay that isn't quite present in F-Zero or Super Mario Kart. On the subject of gameplay, controlling the vehicle isn't that much different than the other Super Nintendo racing games, but some players may find it sluggish or unwieldy. You don't get items like in Super Mario Kart, but you do get a boost, which you can replenish via pickups found around the course. Similar to F-Zero, you can take damage in this game, and there are corresponding health pickups for that, too. The visuals are impressive, which is no surprise given that this game uses the renowned Super FX chip to pull off the 3D look that was virtually unheard of at the time. Most elements of the game, like the terrain and the vehicles, are constructed out of polygons as opposed to 16-bit sprites, and given when this came out, I find that to be quite an accomplishment. Of course, the models are not nearly as polished as anything you see in the games of today, and the game runs noticeably slower than any other Super Nintendo game, so don't expect the Forza Horizon of Nintendo games here. I found the music rather cartoony, which fits well with the already silly-looking cars you drive around. I wouldn't call it on the level of F-Zero's music, but it gets the job done, and it's upbeat in its own way. VERDICT: Though the gameplay may not be as smooth as other racers out there, and the visuals may not be that remarkable in 2019, Stunt Race FX is still a fun time. To me, the thing I enjoyed the most out of this game was the unique topography of the courses, so while the normal racing mode was enjoyable, the real fun was in the Stunt Trax mode, where the terrain is more varied. It's completely understandable if you pick Mario Kart or F-Zero over Stunt Race FX, but I think it's worth checking out once for the proto-3D visuals and the aforementioned stunt mode. - end -
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July 2024
Derryck
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