It is just like crash team racing.
Graphics – 8/10
Smurf Racer appears to be using a modified version of the engine used in the also-excellent Looney Tunes Racing. The racers are mostly untextured and look like their cartoon counterparts on the Cartoon Network. The environments look excellent with trees, hills, castles and the like. All of this with almost no slowdown in the game engine.
Sound – 5/10
A disappointment. Like Looney Tunes or Toy Story Racer or even Mario Kart, I expected the racers to have speech when they started, fired weapons, finished a lap and such. However, this is, unfortunately, not the case. The only speech is Brainy Smurf at the menus, while done well, is too limited. He could have provided in-race commentary at least. Oh well. Other sound effects include bonks, splats and other sound effects that fit right in. The soundtrack is instrumental, nice, but no Sonic R.
Presentation – 9/10
The presentation is pretty awesome for a title with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $9.99. The menus include detailed backgrounds, the animated Brainy Smurf and bouncing menus. Good effort here.
Gameplay – 8/10
Eleven tracks are included along with eight racers to start. There are also four hidden racers. The controls are very responsive, a slight improvement of the somewhat loose, yet good, controls of Looney Tunes Racing. Besides just racing, each racer can pick up a special drop-behind power-up, a forward-firing rocket and a shield as well as a nitro boost. In Championship mode, you can unlock tracks. Also, there is single race mode and flag mode, where you can collect flags. Two-player modes, single and flag, go without any knock of the details and speed of the original modes.
Miscellaneous –
Smurf Racer is developed by Artificial Mind & Movement and published by Infogrames Entertainment. It is rated E for everyone. It requires one block on a memory card for saving. Also, it is compatible with the vibration and analog functions of the Playstation Dual Shock controller.
Overall – 8/10
An excellent purchase for ten dollars, this racer has solid graphics with mediocre, if functional sound. The presentation and gameplay are a good deal as well. This game comes recommended for Playstation or Playstation 2 owners.