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MySims Racing DS

Format:
DS

Genre:
Racing

Further reading:
Racing games

Buy/Support:
Support Jon, click to buy via us...

While Mario Kart DS has seen huge (and warranted) success there haven't been many similar games. EA bring their MySims franchise into the kart racing fray with MySims Racing. Here it takes the genre in a more person centred customisable direction.

It's one of those type of game genres...

Racing games, although sometimes seen as a sporting sub category, are a well established video game genre in their own right.

But why is it any better than the others...

As its base, MySims Racing offer a classic Kart Racing experience. Here, players choose a character, vehicle and track and gets racing. This works both on a single player level, but also extends to a WiFi multiplayer link up too - with just one copy of the game you can play 2 players, although if you each have a copy you can play with four people.

As they race there are some racing techniques - cornering, racing line, power sliding etc - but the focus is on simplicity rather than simulation.

As in Mario Kart DS players can collect power ups and weapons throughout the race. These range from attacks on other racers, to speed boosts to reversing people's controls. The game that results is a combination of this combat and the more pure racing action.

Although MySims Racing looks quite similar to Mario Kart DS there are some unique features. It is more focused on MySims concept of developing a character with personal attributes. Coming from the main Sims game, this idea means that players can choose how to customise both their character and kart. Different drivers have different driving abilities, rather than just the karts in Mario Kart DS.

The gameplay isn't quite as slick or smooth as in Mario Kart though. Here, things look like they are running at around 30 frames per second rather than the super smooth 60. It's a technical point but one that changes the way the game feels to play. My kids didn't seem to notice though.

So what experience should I play this game for...

Players will be drawn to the Mario Kart style action here. But as they play it is the customisation of both character and vehicle that lock them in for the long term. Watching as your son charges past in the kart they just put big wheels and a paint job on is both annoying and entertaining.

And when can I take a break...

Being a race based game, play can conclude after a single release. However the ongoing development of characters does make it easy to play for longer than other more straight forward kart racers.

This is a great game for who...

Young and novice racers will enjoy the simple and direct controls and bright visuals.

Intermediates are more likely to get into the customisation and character development aspects.

Experts will find that there is more racing available here than meets the eye. Power slides and racing corners make a real difference to speed and lap times.

Written by Jon Starkey

You can support Jon by buying MySims Racing



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Jon Starkey writes the Race Gamer column.

"Joining Game People is still a little daunting, but I hope to offer some insider knowledge and insight into the best and worst driving games and peripherals available on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS lite and PSP."

Here are the games I've been playing recently:

• Forza 4
• F1 2011
• Shift 2
• Test Drive Unlimited 2
• Home