S.C.A.R.S.

S.C.A.R.S. (or Super Computer Animal Racing Simulator) is essentially Mario Kart mixed with some of the traits of high-speed racers like Extreme-G and Wipeout. As usual, there are a number of cups to play through, time trials, and a head-to-head challenge mode in which you can unlock new vehicles.

Track design is decent and the racing itself isn't bad, but it quickly becomes clear that weapons are the focus and the key to winning, not clean driving--driving well feels inconsequential and there's little technique involved. The weapons in S.C.A.R.S. are less Mario Kart and more Extreme-G: there are boosts, missiles, various traps and, my favourite, a hot potato bomb. The game does weapons better than the high-speed racers it imitates; pickups and held weapons are easier to identify, targeting is simple and the slower, kart-style gameplay speed makes things much less of a frantic spamfest. Gameplay depth is increased via the addition of a jump ability, critical to dodging many weapons and traps, and vehicle stats that affect not only driving but weapon power and ability to resist hits.

The sound effects in S.C.A.R.S. are poor, and its techno soundtrack is one of the most painful on the console. The game is no better visually, often grainy-looking, PlayStation-like and at times downright ugly.

It's all brief fun, but the mundane driving means races quickly grow dull and one-dimensional; the game feels more like a shooter than a racer at times and perhaps would've fared better as an arena shooter a la Vigilante 8. Even by 1998, there were many superior racers available on the N64.