We know that some big-timer kart racing games are available for your holiday play time. This includes the stunning Sonic Racing Crossworlds, as well as the highly enjoyable Mario Kart World. But that hasn’t stopped QUByte Interactive from trying to snag the nostalgic crowd with the Street Racer Collection.
For those unaware, the Street Racer games served as an alternative to the Mario Kart series. The cast is original, as are some of the play tactics, like the inclusion of a jump button. And, typical for games at the time, you could also play up to four players on some versions of the game.
There are four different games to tackle here, though the more meaningful ones – Saturn and PlayStation – are no shows. The SNES version still has a lot to like, and the Genesis version has merits as well. I liked the DOS version as well, as old as it may seem. The Game Boy version, though? Nah.
For $20, you get a decent amount of cart racing here, along with a few extras. Alas, the game is really lacking in bells and whistles, as well as selection. It’ll likely appeal to old-school kart players and fans of the series. As for everyone else, Street Racer Collection is worth a few laps, but not a place in the garage.
Street Racer Collection Brings the Goods (Sort Of)
As with other releases in their collection, QUByte tries to celebrate the retro goodness of Street Racer Collection. And how.
The gem of the group is easily the SNES version of Street Racer. It still runs pretty well with its Mode 7 style effects, and can support up to four players. I was impressed how nicely some of the sprites come across here. And the track selection isn’t too bad either.
Next up is the Sega Genesis version of Street Racer. It’s not as smooth as its counterpart, but it is colorful and runs suitably well. It’s also a bit more difficult, though some players will enjoy that.
Then there’s the Game Boy version and…yeesh. It’s a mess of pixels that’s worth a try out of curiosity. Otherwise, it’s probably best if you just skip it.
Finally, there’s the DOS version, a welcome surprise in the group. It runs pretty well here, and the fact that QUByte were able to get emulation nailed so well is a treat. Fans will definitely want to dive into this one.
That said, I agree with some of my peers that the team failed to cash in on the opportunity to include the Saturn and PlayStation versions. Maybe the emulation was too difficult, I dunno. But they would’ve justified the $20 price tag easily. The extras – mainly highlighting the cast – aren’t bad, but more could’ve been added.
Overall, there is value here, but it’s not a significant amount. Three out of four certainly isn’t bad, but there was room for more.
How Does Street Racer Collection Handle?
The emulation for Street Racer Collection – aside from the Game Boy version – is done very well. The games look like their tried-and-true selves, right down to the animation and the little effects. So no real complaint there.
As for handling, well, they’re about what you expect from a kart racer. It’s not bad, as you get a hang of the controls and use the power-ups to stay ahead and – more importantly – alive. The four player action is where you’ll find the most fun, as it’s always a gas going up against others. (Local only, I’m afraid – this isn’t a game begging for a huge online community.)
That said…why is the jump button on the D-pad? That’s a weird control choice that I can’t wrap my head around. I know it’s not just me.
Street Racer Collection Crosses the Finish Line, Barely
Is Street Racer Collection worth your time? It really depends on how much you got into the series. If you passed on it before, there’s barely anything here to revisit, aside from the surprising DOS edition. However, if you’re a fan and just want a classic kart racer to breeze the time with, it’s not that bad. Provided you skip the Game Boy version, mind you.
Getting some friends together to take a few laps wouldn’t be the worst thing. But don’t be surprised if they go, “So why aren’t we playing Crossworlds again?”
GAMERHUB RATING: 3 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to QUByte Interactive for providing us with a review code. Street Racer Collection is available now for Nintendo Switch, PC/Steam, Xbox and PlayStation!
