Digimon Racing
Digimon race in karts with Digivolution and special attacks.
Digimon Racing is a racing video game developed by Griptonite Games and published by Bandai (now Namco Bandai Games) for the Game Boy Advance. Part of the Digimon media franchise, it combines traditional racing with kart and action elements, and features over 33 playable forms through its Digivolution mechanic. The game was announced at E3 2003 and released in 2004 across Japan, Europe, and North America.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Griptonite Games
- Publisher
- Bandai
- Series
- Digimon
- Genre
- Racing
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- Game Boy Advance
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Digimon Racing is a racing video game that uses characters and elements from Digimon alongside those of traditional racing games. The game follows a group of Digimon competing in a racing tournament within the Digital World, where specially designed karts equalize all contestants' abilities. Gameplay focuses on competing against five CPU-controlled opponents in cup races of three laps, with items used to attack rivals and improve one's condition, adding a kart racing element. A new feature called "kart hopping" lets players jump onto opponents to slow them down, introducing action gameplay. Digivolution, a recurring Digimon theme, is integrated: driving over energy hotspots on tracks fills an energy meter on the HUD; as the meter rises, the player's Digimon evolves, becoming more powerful and eventually able to use a special attack. The game includes fifteen tracks: twelve traditional racetracks and three boss battles. The twelve tracks are split into three cups of four; completing a cup unlocks a boss battle, and beating it unlocks the next cup. Boss battles involve defeating a static Digimon using items in non-race areas. Players can also compete in single races on unlocked tracks. Multiplayer for up to four players uses the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter or Game Link Cable. Eleven Digimon are playable, with eight available immediately and three unlockable; the Digivolution mechanic expands the total to 33 forms. Characters differ in speed, handling, and acceleration.
Development and release
Digimon Racing marked a departure for the series, as development shifted from Japanese studios to Griptonite Games in Kirkland, Washington, though Bandai (now Namco Bandai Games) remained the publisher. It holds the distinction of being the first original Digimon title for the Game Boy Advance, since the earlier Battle Spirit games were merely ports from the WonderSwan Color. To create a 3D racing feel on the handheld, the developers employed the Mode 7 engine, and the game includes occasional voice acting during races, a rarity for Game Boy Advance cartridges. The title first appeared at E3 in 2003, then returned for a showing at E3 2004, where its North American launch was slated for August of that year. After development wrapped, it earned an "E" rating from the ESRB and a "3+" from PEGI. Release dates varied by region: Japan saw it on April 1, 2004, Europe on April 30, and North America on September 13.
Reception
Digimon Racing received mixed or average reviews according to Metacritic. Critics criticized its close resemblance to other kart racers of the time; IGN's Craig Harris and 1UP.com's Garnett Lee compared it to Crash Nitro Kart and the Mario Kart series respectively. Despite the familiar format, some aesthetic points were praised, such as graphics and music by GameZone's Michael Lafferty, and track layouts and themes by Lee. Gameplay aspects like control (Harris and Lee), multiplayer mode (Lee), replay value, and kart hopping (Harris) also received praise. Nintendo Power stated that the Digimon influence added a fun gameplay edge. Famitsu's four reviewers gave scores of 5, 5, 7, and 6 out of 10, totaling 23 out of 40. AllGame's T.J. Deci awarded three stars out of five without a thorough review.
More in Game Boy Advance Game Library
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced