Topic: Best DS Arcade Racer?

[D_Average]

So I've been trying to find a good mindless arcade racer on the DS for a while now and keep coming up short.  Thus far I have Ridge Racer and Race Driver. My complaints with the games thus far are:

Ridge Racer:  Had this game had tighter controls and the ability to advance without requiring first it'd be a pretty decent title.  As it is, its pretty frustrating.
Race Driver Create and Race:  Great game but its more of a driving simulation.  On the handheld I'd rather zone out than constantly stare at a map to break for corners every five seconds.

Anyone out there found a good arcade racer they'd recommend for the DS (Mario Kart and Diddy aside, as they aren't really "arcade racers").

From what I've read  in reviews it appears the following may be the best options:

Need for Speed Pro Street:
Speed Racer:
Juiced 2:
Asphalt 2:

Any recommendations or is the DS just void in this area?

[DAaaMan64]

I'm betting Speed Racer. Seriously

[Nick DiMola]

Wow now that you mention it, it is glaringly obvious how bad the racer support is on the DS. I wonder why...

[KDR_11k]

Chou Soujuu Mecha MG . It doesn't have the greatest racing but the rest of the game is so awesome you won't mind.

[Nick DiMola]

Chou Soujuu Mecha MG . It doesn't have the greatest racing but the rest of the game is so awesome you won't mind.

So is it worth $32 USD?

[KDR_11k]

More than that actually. Though I was mostly kidding, it's a mech action game with some missions involving racing in the car or train forms of the transformable mechs (well, technically you can enter with any mech but you have no chance of winning the race at walking speed...). There are quite a few racing missions but the physics on them aren't that elaborate, you always have a perfect grip on your vehicle (though you sometimes need to slow down as your maximum turn rate is limited). It's better if you play it for the mech action than the racing

[D_Average]

More than that actually. Though I was mostly kidding, it's a mech action game with some missions involving racing in the car or train forms of the transformable mechs (well, technically you can enter with any mech but you have no chance of winning the race at walking speed...). There are quite a few racing missions but the physics on them aren't that elaborate, you always have a perfect grip on your vehicle (though you sometimes need to slow down as your maximum turn rate is limited). It's better if you play it for the mech action than the racing

Looks interesting, but definitely requires too much attention.  Looking for something I can just relax w/ before falling asleep.

[NWR_insanolord]

Asphalt 1 is a lot better than Asphalt 2, I really enjoyed the first one but couldn't get into the second.

[D_Average]

Asphalt 1 is a lot better than Asphalt 2, I really enjoyed the first one but couldn't get into the second.

Whats the main difference?  Bad controls in 2?

[NWR_insanolord]

I'm not exactly sure what the difference is. Maybe it was just because I got Asphalt 1 shortly after launch when there wasn't much of anything available so I appreciated it more than 2 because it came out when there was a much better selection of DS games, but I've gotten 1 out recently and played it and I still enjoy it.

[KDR_11k]

Better track design perhaps? Level design is something that often slips in sequels.

[Mario]

GRID DS is the sequel to Create and Race and has the camera positioned higher from the ground than the original so you can see corners a lot better. Plus if you create your own track you should know where the corners are anyway. It also has "drifting" modes or something, sounds arcadey. There's also Ferrari Challenge DS out soon which looks very good but is also a serious racer.

For arcade racers I heard Pro Street was actually good, but haven't played it yet.

[D_Average]

Picked up Asphalt GT and MX vs ATV last night for 20 bux total.  I'll post back later w/ some impressions...

[redgiemental]

Id be interested to hear what you thought of those two. I feel I am lacking in this area myself.

I looked up some videos of Chou Soujuu Mecha MG KDR how import freindly would you say it was. I don't know any japanese. Would the game get confusing? I don't care about the story as lon as the mission objectives are reasonably clear. Looks like a good game I could potentially be interested in.

[D_Average]

Asphalt GT is definitely worth 5 or 10 bux.  Just a standard arcade racer that doesn't do anything too daring, but doesn't screw anything up either (i.e Ridge Racer).  At the end of the day, its a nice rush of fun for a portable arcade racer.

As for Mx vs ATV, haven't had much time to crack into yet, but I'll keep you posted.

Never played Chou Soujuu, but KDR should be able to fill you in.

[redgiemental]

I think I'll invest in a copy of Asphalt GT. Its certainly a niche that my current DS games can't fill. Only so much single player Mario Kart I can play.

Yeah I'd love to hear his opinion on it.

[NWR_insanolord]

Asphalt GT is definitely worth 5 or 10 bux.  Just a standard arcade racer that doesn't do anything too daring, but doesn't screw anything up either (i.e Ridge Racer). 

I have a habit of buying games that are worth $5 or $10 (or sometimes $20 for console games) at full price.