Micro Machines (video game series)

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Micro Machines
File:Micro Machines logo.png
Developers Codemasters, Big Red Software, Merit Studios, Mindscape, Supersonic Software, Atari
Publishers Codemasters, Camerica, Ocean Software, Midway, THQ, Atari
First release Micro Machines
1991
Latest release Micro Machines V4
27 June 2006

Micro Machines is a series of computer and video games featuring toy cars, developed by Codemasters and published on several platforms (including MS-DOS, Nintendo Entertainment System, Amiga, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, PlayStation 2, Nintendo 64, Xbox and Sega Game Gear) between 1991 and 2006. The series is based on the Micro Machines toy line of miniature vehicles.

Micro Machines games feature tracks based on household settings: for example, kitchen tables and desktops. The tracks also contain obstacles in the form of household items; often the possibility of falling off the track is a hazard in itself.

Games

Main series

Micro Machines

Micro Machines
GB Micro Machines.png
Micro Machines on the Nintendo Game Boy
Developer(s) Codemasters
Big Red Software (MS-DOS)
Merit Studios (SNES)
Mindscape (GB)
Atari (PS2 & Xbox)
Paragon 5 (GBA)
Publisher(s) Camerica (NES)
Codemasters
Ocean Software (SNES & GB)
Atari (GBA)
Infogrames (PS2)
Platforms NES, Amiga, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, MS-DOS, CD-i, SNES, Game Boy, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance
Release date(s) NES
EU 1991
NA 1991
Amiga, Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System & Sega Genesis
EU 1993
NA 1993 (exc. AMI & SMS)
MS-DOS
    CD-i
      SNES
      EU 1994
      NA 199412December 1994
      Game Boy
      EU 1995
      NA 199501January 1995
      PlayStation 2 & Xbox
          GameCube
            Game Boy Advance

              Micro Machines is the first game in the series laid the foundation of the gameplay: a top-down racing game with miniature vehicles. The race tracks are unconventionally themed. For example, some races take place on a billiard table while others occur in a garden. The cartridge itself was sold in several versions. There was a gold (black in PAL regions) cartridge with a switch at the bottom in order to be compatible with the American and European hardware.[1] In Europe there also was a version where the cartridge was in the form of a plug through cartridge, a cartridge you plugged on another, normal NES cartridge and then inserted it in the machine.[2] It was also released as an add-on to the Aladdin Deck Enhancer created by Codemasters.[3]

              A remake of this game was later released in 2002. This version features advanced graphics as well as drivers having unique vehicles.

              Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament

              Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament
              Mega drive j-cart.jpg
              Micro Machines 2 as a J-Cart
              Developer(s) Supersonic Software[4]
              Codemasters (GG, SNES & GB)
              Publisher(s) Codemasters
              Ocean Software (SNES & GB)
              Platforms Sega Genesis, MS-DOS, Sega Game Gear, SNES, Game Boy
              Release date(s)
              November 1994
              • Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament
                Sega Genesis & MS-DOS
                    Sega Game Gear
                      Micro Machines Turbo Tournament '96
                      Sega Genesis
                        Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament
                        SNES
                          Game Boy

                          Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament was released in 1994[5] and featured vehicles which required different handling techniques for each course, including hovercraft and helicopters. There are different playing modes including "head-to-head", in which each player earns points by driving a full screen ahead of the opponent. TV presenter Violet Berlin features as a playable driver. The MS-DOS version featured a track editor which allowed players to create their own custom vehicles, backgrounds and obstacles and export and import tracks.

                          A selling point for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version was the J-Cart, a cartridge including two control ports, thus eliminating the need for a 4-player adaptor.[6] It also included a 'pad-sharing' feature which allowed 2 players to share a single joypad; thus it enabled 8 players to compete simultaneously, on certain tracks.

                          An updated version of Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament was only released in PAL regions for the Mega Drive entitled Micro Machines Turbo Tournament '96. The updated version featured new tracks combined with some updated tracks from Micro Machines 2. It also featured a track construction kit previously included in the MS-DOS version.

                          Micro Machines V3

                          Micro Machines V3
                          256px
                          North American PlayStation cover art
                          Developer(s) Codemasters
                          Novalicious (GBC)
                          Publisher(s) PlayStation, Microsoft Windows & Nintendo 64
                          EU Codemasters
                          NA Midway Games (exc. PC)
                          JP Namco (exc. PC & N64)
                          Game Boy Color
                          THQ
                          Platforms PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color
                          Release date(s) PlayStation
                                Microsoft Windows
                                  Nintendo 64
                                    Game Boy Color

                                      Micro Machines V3 featured 3D-graphics and 8-player multiplayer matches. It featured circuits in different areas of the household and had multiple weapons; it also included the controller share multiplayer option.

                                      An N64 port of Micro Machines V3 was released in 1999 entitled Micro Machines 64 Turbo. This port can let 8 people play simultaneously while using a Pad Share, where one person uses one side of the controller, steering with the Directional pad, while the other player uses the four C-buttons. The vehicles accelerate automatically in these modes. An official micro machines vehicle was packaged with each copy.

                                      Micro Machines V4

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                                      Main article: Micro Machines V4

                                      Micro Machines V4 is the sequel to Micro Machines V3.[7] It features over 25 tracks, 750 vehicles and a track editor, although the track editor is not present in the PSP or DS versions. Tracks also feature new settings such as a supermarket or swimming pool. The game was developed by Supersonic Software Ltd.

                                      Spin-offs

                                      Micro Machines Military

                                      Micro Machines Military
                                      Developer(s) Supersonic Software[4]
                                      Publisher(s) Codemasters
                                      Platforms Sega Mega Drive
                                      Release date(s)

                                        Only released in PAL regions for the Sega Mega Drive, this game features all new tracks and military vehicles. These vehicles feature weapons enabling the player to attack opponents. The game is developed by Supersonic Software.

                                        Micro Maniacs

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                                        Main article: Micro Maniacs

                                        Micro Maniacs is a racing game that takes an unconventional step considering it a near spin-off as part of the series by replacing the vehicles by running characters, though they occasionally use vehicles for certain tracks, such as jet-skis, skate-boards or even bees. It also features 3d graphics and up to 8-player multiplayer games. The 12 available characters each have different special attacks.

                                        Reception

                                        Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Game Gear version of the first game a 6.75 out of 10, citing the variety of unique track settings, good graphics, and general fun of the game.[8] GamePro was more critical; they commented that the game is very charming with its track designs and props, but that the sounds are average even by Game Gear standards and the races "aren't that involving", citing the sameness of the vehicles and the lack of a clock. They nonetheless concluded that "Younger gamers will eat up this sugary game, though veterans may get a toothache from all the sweetness."[9] The game was ranked the 14th best game of all time by Amiga Power,[10] while Mega placed the game at #10 in their Top Mega Drive Games of All Time.[11] MegaTech gave the game 92% and a Hyper Game award.[12]

                                        The 93% review in Mega described Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament as "multi-player fun at its best".[13]

                                        See also

                                        References

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                                        4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.supersonic-software.com/older.htm
                                        5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
                                        6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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                                        9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
                                        10. ↑ Amiga Power magazine issue 64, Future Publishing, August 1996
                                        11. ↑ Mega magazine issue 26, page 74, Maverick Magazines, November 1994
                                        12. ↑ MegaTech rating, EMAP, issue 22, page 99, October 1993
                                        13. ↑ Mega review, issue 26, page 39, November 1994

                                        fr:Micro Machines (série)

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