Racing Mini Game: Difference between revisions

It's hard to say exactly the whys, whens, or wherefores, but somewhere along the line, racing mini-games became one of the most common forms of [[Unexpected Gameplay Change]].

* '''The World Is Your Grand Prix:''' Whoever or ''whatever'' challenged the player character to race makes it from Point A to Point B on whatever map you're already on. Sometimes it's in the [[Hub Level]], but it can occur within a level or dungeon, as well. While your character may be on foot, they may also have a vehicle--eithervehicle—either part of their usual arsenal, or provided for them--inthem—in order to provide them extra speed. Since most maps tend to be somewhat... ''larger'' than your standard race course, the game will frequently provide some sort of "marker" to keep you on course, usually with penalties if you stray too far. The markers can range from a simple line on the ground to actually making the player ''lose'' if they don't [[Pass Through the Rings|pass through every ring.]]

* '''This Course One Way Only:''' Unlike the above, this actually ''does'' take place on its own map, designated for the race. However, such course is usually one way only. Your goal is simply to get to the end, through whatever means you have at your disposal. Because they're designed explicitly for the race, the maps for these particular mini-games are frequently more elaborate, and feature more devious twists and turns.

* ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' contains examples of all ''three'' varieties.

** Lanky also has a few races against a beetle--thesebeetle—these require you to collect ''coins'' as well as beat him to the end. Also, the courses he has? Really, ''really'' perilous. They're not ''just'' Type 2, [[That One Sidequest|oh no...]]

** Finally, Tiny has ''several'' races against a toy car, in a cart just like his. She gets [[Nitro Boost|Nitro Boosts]]s and ''missles'' to use against him, and they go for several laps. Type 3.

* ''[[Ty the Tasmanian Tiger]] 2: Bush Rescue'' has a surprisingly fleshed-out kart mode. While you can participate in the races in-game for some prizes, a fully multiplayer version of the kart mini-game--withgame—with lots of racers, several tracks, and items--ititems—it available from the title screen from the get-go. 3.

* ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' has you race--twice--againstrace—twice—against a big penguin, in two Type 2 races down a very... precarious slide.

* ''[[Beyond Good & Evil (video game)|Beyond Good and Evil]]'' has several Type 3 races--oneraces—one of them, you have to participate in for plot purposes (to find a secret exit on the track). In addition to in-track speed boosters, you can also bring in your own items from outside to aid you.

* ''[[Banjo-Kazooie]]'' has you racing Boggy the polar bear throughout his world (so Type 1) on a sled, and later, with Kazooie's Sprint Shoes.

* ''[[The Simpsons Hit and& Run]]'' had several Type 1 races on every level.

* ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'' had Johnny, that cool transforms-into-a-vehicle cyborg in the future. You had to beat him in a Type 2 race in the main quest.

** To clarify ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' further, one of the more interesting Type 1 races is against a Boo, while one of the Type 2 races is against-- youagainst—you guessed it-- ait—a penguin.

* ''[[Mortal Kombat]]: Armageddon'' features a Type 3 minigame called "Motor Kombat." It's separate from the rest of the game, which is probably a good thing -- althoughthing—although it's a surprisingly elaborate Kart clone, it's pretty [[So Okay It's Average|meh]].

* [[Naruto|Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2]] has a minigame where you can race against Might Guy. It's a Type 3 (kind of), though you run by hitting Square and Circle alternately as fast as you can [[Sarcasm Mode|until you get RSI]]. This is unfortunately required for [[Hundred-Percent100% Completion]]. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 also had a Type 3 racing minigame where you were racing Sakura to the top of a tree, though this time you move forward automatically and only have to worry about dodging obstacles.

* A different genre of racing minigame witinwithin a racing game: ''[[F-Zero]] GX'' has three Type 2 missions in Story Mode; Goroh the Vengeful Samurai, Rescue Jody, and Black Shadow's Trap.

* ''Call of Duty 4'' had this at the end of the level "Crew Expendable" where the player must escape the sinking ship. Basically, it is a timed race where you follow your allies, but as they inevtably outpace the player audio cues over the radio and general memory of the level already traveledtravelled through becomes very important. Even at the end you have to jump into the back of a helicopter but don't worry, "Nobody makes the first jump..."

[[Category:Racing MiniVideo Game Genres]]