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GBA

North America

Konami Krazy Racers

by Billy Berghammer - June 14, 2001, 3:26 pm EDT

So is it really a Mario Kart killer? Could the almighty fall?! Billy gets his hands on Konami Krazy Racers for the first time since his Space World experiences and puts it to the test!

Last year at Space World I got to try out the first two kart racers to hit the Game Boy Advance….Mario Kart Advance and Konami’s Wai Wai Racing. I’m a sucker for a kart racer, so I gave Wai Wai a shot. After playing so many kart knock-offs I was extremely surprised how good it was. The tracks were actually more detailed than in Mario Kart Advance! These were early builds, so I knew time would tell who would actually reign supreme. I’ve gotten a hold of the US version, now titled Konami Krazy Racers, and I think there’s going to be a serious battle between the kart racers. Oh man! Another Planet Staffer gushing about Konami Krazy Racers? You bet!

First off, the racing feels just like Mario Kart Advance. From there, things start getting a little different. I mean, of course there’s power ups and things, but the way everything is laid out is different. You access everything from a PC-style interface. At first you are only able to race on one track. To advance to later courses you have to get new drivers licenses. To get the new licenses (and essentially progress to the later tracks) you have to pass tests. Time trials and winning specific races are some of the things you will have to do. These tests can be rather tricky, but once you pass them, you’re on your way to more tracks.

The racers you'll choose from are mostly a bunch of obscure characters you probably won’t recognize, but it really doesn’t matter in the end. Most of them match up with their Mario Kart look-a-likes. I usually race with Toad, so the tiny Pawapuro-Kun character (from Jikkyo Power Pro Baseball series) is the character I race with. Actually I think the characters are pretty cool! At least it’s a nice switch from the Mario crew. The power ups are just as different--odd to say the least. Missiles and invincibility are about the only typical kart power ups available in this game. There’s the infamous “Pigs” power up that you turn all your enemies into pigs (a lot like shrinking, but for Christ’s sake…they are PIGS!). You can also dig holes, drop bombs, charge all enemies with electricity, and you have one of your allies team up with you to make you invincible, and help take out the other baddies (my personal favorite). It’s a welcomed switch from shells. Also, you can earn money while racing. This money can be used to buy power ups for your character. Once you own a power up, and you get that power up during a race…it multiplies.

After seeing the almost-finished version of Mario Kart at E3 2001, I would have to say that Konami Krazy Racers is still more detailed. The environments have an extensive color palette. The Mode 7 rotation is done perfectly, and the game flows extremely well, with no frame rate issues. My only gripe is that sometimes the track map gets in the way of the action on screen. But that doesn’t happen too often.

The sound is absolutely fantastic. From the music to the sound effects, Konami Krazy Racers will not disappoint you aurally. And yes, wear headphones! It all sounds like a kart game should sound, but Konami really did a fantastic job. Also, each of the characters have their own little phrases, but they don’t get annoying as in other racers. The samples are clear and crisp.

So is this actually a Kart Killer? I think it’s too early to tell, but if you don’t want to wait for Mario Kart Advance, I would highly recommend snatching this game. I hear so many people say, “Oh, I’m just getting F-Zero”, or “I’ll wait for Mario Kart,” or, “I only need one racer in my GBA arsenal.” Blah, Blah, BLAH!! Trust me, if you love kart racing, Konami’s Krazy Racers will not disappoint. Within a few moments you’ll realize why it’s much more than just a Mario Kart knock-off. Konami has already upped the ante in the portable Kart Race!

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Genre Racing
Developer Konami
Players1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

na: Konami Krazy Racers
Release Jun 10, 2001
PublisherKonami
RatingEveryone
jpn: Konami Wai Wai Racing Advance
Release Mar 21, 2001
PublisherKonami
eu: Konami Krazy Racers
Release Jun 15, 2001
PublisherKonami

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