Cruis'n Velocity
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom , United Kingdom |
| Products | Cruis'n Velocity, Dark Arena |
Cruis'n Velocity is a 2001 racing game created by Graphic State and released by Midway Games for the Game Boy Advance. As the fourth entry in Nintendo's Cruis'n franchise, it stands out as the sole installment without a preceding arcade version, introducing gameplay elements that differ from earlier titles. The game incorporates the same engine utilized in Graphic State's first-person shooter Dark Arena, generating a pseudo-3D visual effect that led to varied critical opinions.
Gameplay
Unlike earlier series entries that featured linear tracks inspired by real-world settings with road hazards, this game offers players the chance to race across large, open environments driving eleven distinct vehicles while steering clear of walls and obstacles. It includes fourteen tracks that mirror those found in Cruis'n Exotica.
A novel speed boost function is triggered by pressing the accelerator twice. Players have the option to enable a damage mechanic, which reduces a damage meter whenever collisions occur. The game provides three distinct racing modes: Cruis'n Cup, where players unlock new cars and tracks; Championship, a points-based contest; and Freestyle, focused on achieving top track times.
Multiplayer accommodates up to three participants connected through the Game Boy Advance link cable. Instead of conventional save files, progress is maintained through a password system.
Reception
The reception of Cruis'n Velocity was mixed, reflected by its 53/100 rating on Metacritic. Reviewers commended the diversity of gameplay modes but criticized aspects such as collision detection flaws, bugs causing crashes, reliance on a password save method, and subpar AI performance. IGN characterized the experience as "somewhat enjoyable," though less extravagant compared to earlier arcade versions.
The game's use of a Doom-inspired graphics engine faced negative feedback for producing visuals described as "ugly and sluggish," especially when compared to competitors like Mario Kart: Super Circuit, which employed image scaling techniques for its pseudo-3D presentation. Nintendo Power referred to it as an average racing title, mirroring the generally moderate critical response.