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| | Difficulty: 1 | | Learning Curve: 1 | Published by:  forahobby | | Date: 2007-06-05 |
| | Gameplay |    | 5
| | Graphics | | 5
| | Sound | | 4
| | Value | | 4
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This title is great for kids of any age.. Totally kid friendly
Developed by Loud Inc, a group of former Ubisoft employees, "Mad Tracks" is one of the latest arcade games available on the xbox live arcade marketplace.
Overview
When I first read the news of Mad Tracks coming to the XBLA I thought to myself we would all be seeing a Micro Machines clone. Well, I was close.
Mad Tracks is a car game based on pull back friction propulsion, with many different gameplay modes.
The multiplayer features of the game are the main thing I found enjoyable. With a pack of friends over you can compete against each other via the split screen Multiplayer options or play via Xbox Live.
The "Mad Tracks" game has obviously been released for Xbox 360's younger audience and I'm sure it will get a nice work-out by the kids. Adults on the other hand, will find it hard to want to play on. Some of the mini-games can be sorta fun but overall much more for the kiddies.
 Gameplay
The gameplay is good fun as you would expect as you jump and rocket your fellow racers.. While you play "Mad Tracks" you will either race or participate in a competitive minigame on a variety of tracks and arenas. This is great for multiplayer but for a single person it just get's old too quick.
Racing through the series of mini-games in "Mad Tracks" you will be able to pickup many different bonus items including: turbos, rockets, missles and slow motion timers amongst many others. Most if not all bonus items must be unlocked first by playing through the single player game mode.
Controls
The controls in the game are simple.
- Right Trigger (RT): Accelerator
- Left Trigger (LT): Brake
- Right Bumper (RB): Change View
- Left Bumper (LB) Change View
- Blue (X) Button: Previous Weapon/Bonus Select
- Red (B) Button: Next Weapon/Bonus Select
- Green (A) Button: Fire Weapon/Bonus
- Yellow (Y): Back to last checkpoint
The blue and red buttons will let you select which rocket, turbo boost or other weapon/item you would like to get ready to fire.. You will notice as you pickup all the special items all of them will become available down the very bottom left of your screen.
Graphics
The graphics throughout Mad Tracks look clean and crisp but really could have had some more cool stuff added to the backdrops but hey, it suits the game.
I was even thinking some damage or something to make things a little more interesting..
The cars that you get to choose from seem to be limited but that may be because I only finished adventure mode. The cars do look very micro machine 'ish as you would expect if you had ever played that game before.
Mini Game Modes
The various gameplay modes for Single Player and Multiplayer include:
Block Out
Turn on your headlights. Three short laps. Only first place matters, unless you like being second?
Kick'em All
Objects are placed on a table. You have to push objects off the edge to score points. You can fall off also, but you will lose time.
Training Day
Classic race on a track. Do laps groing through every Checkpoint. The winner is the first to complete 3 laps.
Room for Dessert
Players are on an elevated arena with 3 lives. If you fall you lose a life. The last one wins. Pick ups are placed on the edge, dangerous to catch!
Sugar Rush
Candies are spread around the room. Each one you catch is one point. Catch more then your opponents and win. Yummy!
Par 5
Push the ball to the pin. You just have to be the first, no par nor handicap!
Foosball
You play on a soccer table, pushing the ball in the opponents' goal. Defense!!
Toy Race
Classic in-line track race. Go from point A to point B, but through every checkpoint. The winner is the first to cross the lin
Beastie Balls
You are held in a big bowl arena and you have to avoid the increasing number of rubber balls appearing every 5 seconds. You better be lucky!
| 8 Ball
Play pool! You have to push all your colored balls into the pockets. Both teams play at the same time. Also playable alone in time attack mode.
Speed Racer
The player races against the clock, alone or not. The result depends on the time achieved. Best times are saved.
Gone with the Wind
Just like playing darts. Take a jump and try to get as close to the center of the targest as possible. You can score from 0 to 100. Three tries are added. Watch for the clock!
Fast Food
The player races against the clock, alone or not. The result depends on the time achieved. Best times are saved.
Toygara Falls
Weakest link race. The last player in every lap is eliminated. The winner is the last player remaining.
My Balloons
Turn all balloons to your color aqnd score a point. Be the first to score 3 points to win.
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Sound
The soundtrack for Mad Tracks constantly repeats itself and can get on your nerves.. Most effects like missles and turbo style effects sound very tinny and not of the quality you would expect especially when playing your xbox 360 using a 5.1 DTS/Surround sound amplifier etc.
As always, the sound isn't a real issue as you can play your own audio/cd's using the xbox 360 dashboard while you play the game. You can do this either by storing your music on a memory stick, ipod, psp or by streaming directly from your PC.
Overall
Although it may be fun for the younger guys and girls who own a xbox 360 I doubt we will see many hardcore gamers with this title in their collection.
Gamers who enjoyed Micro Machines and that type of gameplay with the micro cars and huge furniture around the tracks will definately enjoy this title. Otherwise, be sure to check out the trial before you fork over your 800ms points.
Achievement Hunters Note:
If you are a achievement hunter its a quick 200pts really when you think about it, so i could be wrong.. I played the title online and offline for approximately 1-2hrs to get the full feel of the game and in that time alone I racked up some nice achievements.
This title is great for kids of any age.. Totally kid friendly
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| | There are 12 achievements with a total of 200 points available |  | Real fun
Finish 5 different challenges with friends on split screen. | 10 |  |  | Chain racing
Finish ‘Toy race’ 20 times in a row. | 15 | |  | Gold struggle
Gather at least 15 gold medals. | 20 | |  | 8-ball
You won a pool game without pocketing the black ball. Admit this achievement was easy! | 10 | |  | Loaded
You unlocked all the power ups! Now try those challenges again! | 15 | | | View All Achievements (12) |
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