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E3 '07: Cars Mater-National Impressions

By Alex Navarro, GameSpotPosted Jul 12, 2007 10:39 pm PT

THQ is bringing out a sequel to its top-selling Pixar-licensed game. We take a look at E3 2007.

Video games licensed from Pixar movies are, more often than not, terrible. The one exception to that rule was 2006's THQ game based on the movie Cars. An open-world arcade racer, Cars actually made for a great kids' game that wasn't dumbed down to the point of just being stupid. Now THQ is bringing out a sequel to this game, despite the lack of a sequel to the movie. Titled Mater-National, this new Cars game brings back many of the key characters from the film, as well as the actors who portrayed them, for an all-new adventure.

Click to enlarge!

This latest game will revolve around the Mater-National, an all-new grand prix championship race that Mater (the loveable tow truck voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) is hosting in Radiator Springs. Entrants from around the globe have come to challenge Lightning McQueen and take the top prize. These new competitors come from countries like Italy, Sweden, the UK, and Germany, and the cars they are tie into their national origin. For instance, we got to see the German car in action, and he turned out to be a rallycross car, complete with a giant wing and license plate that read "GOENFAUST." THQ also says that you'll run into plenty of memorable characters, including a pair from an earlier Pixar film.

The gameplay we saw looked quite similar to that of the last Cars game. The game is an arcade racer through and through, with simple controls and easy driving mechanics for the younger players. There will also be new modes, including several new minigames and a new race type called monster mash, where all the Cars characters are given monster truck wheels.

Though we didn't get to play, what we saw of the game, plus the fact that a good chunk of the voice talent from the last game (including Owen Wilson) will be returning, gives us the impression that this could be a solid sequel. Cars Mater-National will ship later this year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PC, DS, and GBA. Stay tuned for more on the game in the coming weeks.

20 Comments

  • gmrndlze

    Posted Aug 7, 2007 10:35 am PT

    I didn't really like this game for the Wii. I wonder if this one will be better.

  • Lucario6231

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 7:02 am PT

    so they dug up cars again...

  • rosscero

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 2:07 pm PT

    Liked more than Forza ?!?!
    Are u crazy?

  • imperial_agent

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 5:55 pm PT

    Cars (the game) was actually pretty fun! I liked it way more than Forza and GT and other stuff.

    I hope this comes out on Xbox360 as well.

  • amareen18

    Posted Jul 18, 2007 3:36 am PT

    the most of you saying thats this is a lame game but its not lame its a great game and fun and lets you keep busy for a while

  • msudude211

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 8:04 am PT

    Pixar and Disney has always been good...

  • Bansheesdie

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 8:02 am PT

    Is this a continued effort to milk Cars?

  • magicmo

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 7:30 am PT

    Cute little games. Original voice talent makes all the difference.

  • icytower Site moderator

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 7:23 am PT

    The movie was really good but I never got to play the original game though I wanted to.

    Might give this one a shot.

    Larry the Cable Guy is funny, and is one of the best characters in the movie.

  • Conanfan1

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 6:27 pm PT

    Wow. Alex gets to see all the good games.

  • Agreb91

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 11:20 am PT

    I enjoyed the last Cars game because it was actually a good racing game. I hope this one can at least make a good sequel.

  • lego863

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 10:37 am PT

    This game is going to be lame

  • DouglasBuffone

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 10:20 am PT

    God, not another one!

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 10:15 am PT

    Well I am a little old for this game

  • DryvBy2

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 7:29 am PT

    @Max-Th3-Noid Yeah, if you're into Putt Putt's Adventures, then Cars is a great game for you.

  • specialk90

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 12:48 am PT

    cars is lame

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 11:58 pm PT

    Doesn't seem appealing enough~_~

  • Max-Th3-Noid

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 11:21 pm PT

    This game is gonna be cool.
    Up yours sans_cocks_40, Cars was a fun game, not only for achievements.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 11:07 pm PT

    In all seriousness, Cars was not a bad game at all. I enjoyed playing it with my little brother to a surprising degree. I plan to get this game as it looks like it will bring more of the same, which I am sure my brother would love.

  • sens_rocks_40

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 11:05 pm PT

    the only reason this thing was ever a top-seller in the first place, was most likely because it had incredibly easy 360 achievment points. oh and first comment. wooooooooooo =O

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