Mario Kart In The Cartoon Network Universe
What child doesn't have a favorite tv show, whether it be an animated series or kid-targeted action franchise? When I was younger, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, X-Men and Spider-Man were must-watch for me. Growing older, I became fond of more mature-driven series such as Doug, Hey Arnold, and, well maybe not exactly 'mature', Spongebob too. I've stayed away from the other popular station, Cartoon Network, just because I didn't have time for it. Recently, however, I received a new title for my DS, known simply as Cartoon Network Racing. Well, having inherited some of Wolverine's (X-Men) abilities, I smelled a Mario Kart DS clone from a mile away. Thankfully though, while that is completely accurate, it really didn't turn out too shabby.
Mario Kart DS was released last year as the initiative for Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Just as its predecessors like Mario Kart 64 and others accomplished, it features a plethora of representatives from the Mario universe, allowing them to clash on the go-kart circuits, whether in racing or spine-tingling weapon combat. Having sold plenty copies to date, it appears that The Game Factory saw an opportunity to capitalize on that success with a similar title of their own, just with the mascots of shows featured on Cartoon Network.
Were it not for CNR's obvious (not necessarily purposeful) copying of Mario Kart, it probably would've turned out to be a sleeper hit for fans of the cable channel. Even with that out in the open though, the game still holds a good deal of entertainment. There are at least 20 different characters to choose from, each representing a particular show on Cartoon Network. All the racers have their own trademark 'vehicle' so to speak, with most intended to connect the characters to their shows. So fill me in, I don't watch Cow and Chicken, is there some freaky-loo obsession with Chicken and a bathub, or Cow and a baby carriage? Regardless, all the models are drawn fairly well and are impressively distinct. The problem lies in the driving animation, because the 'karts' appear to move in a boat-like fashion since the wheels never move.
There are 16 tracks in total, which is pretty solid all things considered, but I wish there were more. Reasons being, a couple borrow heavily from Rainbow Road and Tick Tock Clock, while there are maybe four originals that please the eye. Unfortunately a majority of your racing takes place in less-than-inspired environments riddled with repetition and stiff 2D obstacle sprites. I also witnessed a few instances in frame rate drop, which doesn't help when the overall difficulty of the game is shockingly high.
Even so, while many of the game's features stick out like a sore thumb regarding their likeness to Mario Kart, don't be quick to assume it's already bad. CNR runs well and is actually pretty fun for a period of time. While racing, the D-Pad takes care of kart control, and then four other buttons do the rest of the work. Those of you out there that can't stand 'snakers', a term coined when playing MK DS online may have an answer here. There is no power sliding or drifting of any kind, as what is done at all are 'sharp turns'. The R button serves as a sort of emergency brake, allowing you to shift 90 degrees instantly. It does work the way it should, but losing speed or sometimes control of your character due to a strange camera issue can prove annoying.
The weapon system is nearly identical to Mario in every way, as the items are different in what they are and what they're named, but do the same exact thing. Peppers are your mushrooms (speed boost), missiles are your koopa shells (projectile damage) and an oil slick is your bananas (spin out). The Game Factory isn't winning a single point in the originality category here, but the available arsenal works just as well as it does in any MK game. What TGF did include just for the game though, are the characters' special abilities, similar to the exclusive items for each racer in Double Dash. To execute these abilities, any of two tasks must be accomplished: retrieve stars placed on the track or successfully attack an opposing racer. Either will fill up your meter, and when it's full, it can be used whenever you like. Skills range from a constant speed boost for around 15 seconds (yeah, that's LONG) to a special attack ability that will deter those caught by them. The only thing I didn't understand was Chicken's ability to fly, yet not OVER anything. There are four separate Championships, with the titles of each also connecting to a CN show (noticing a pattern yet?). Players start on the default Normal speed, but eventually unlock Souped-Up, Soupered-Up and then Flipped-Out. Depending on the amount of Cartoon Network coins that you collect through each tournament, you can unlock all the hidden content in the Tune-Up Shop (haha?). Instead of merely unlocking characters and karts like in MK, you buy them with your coins, along with three bonus cartoon episodes (very cool) and a couple passable mini-games, one that functions just like Shuffleboard, and another that allows you to sketch CN characters on the touch screen. In the case that you haven't realized, there is a good deal of content in what could've been a run-of-the-mill budget title. However, the lack of Wi-Fi compatibility makes four player local wireless play seem like nothing but an afterthought. But hey, if you have kids with DS systems, I'd imagine they'd have some fun playing together.
What should be easily considered the most noticeable downfall of the game is the ridiculously painful sound production. There are maybe two songs which are worth listening to, and one that will drive you insane (and probably to the point of muting), if you dislike yodeling. On top of that, the one-liners from each character prove to be more than enough virtually the minute you choose them. Hearing "Hey Mama!" from Mr. Bravo and "Oh no!" in Cow's headache-inducing girly screetch will inevitably make you hit the play button on something else. The effects when racing don't help either, as it's all generic enough to the extent that you may not even notice them after a short while.
Anyway, those that happen to purchase this game will more than likely NOT be able to shake the feeling that it's Mario Kart in the Cartoon Network universe (granted that you've played MK). Nevertheless, this could be actually something worthwhile. It's unfortunate that you have to perform almost picture-perfect in order to achieve victory in most of the latter Championships, but it will offer a very good challenge to those that think they can just breeze through this. Ha, I'd actually love to see that. Unlike most arcade-style racers, your opponents make use of EVERYTHING, just like you can and should. Doesn't that just suck? Well, only if you lose of course, which has happened to me multiple times. In the end, if you like the cartoons on CN, this title may just be able to strike your fancy.