Rapid Racer
Rapid Racer, known as Turbo Prop Racing in North America, is a racing video game developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. In the game, the player takes control of a motorboat and races around six different tracks. Eventually, all six tracks can be raced in mirrored mode, as well as at night.
Also recorded as Turbo Prop Racing
Rapid Racer
- Date
- 1997
- Publisher
- Rapid Racer was published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
- Genre
- racing video game
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Documentary summary
Rapid Racer, known as Turbo Prop Racing in North America, is a racing video game developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. In the game, the player takes control of a motorboat and races around six different tracks. Eventually, all six tracks can be raced in mirrored mode, as well as at night.
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Documentary evidence
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wikidata · Q779988 · wikipedia · Rapid Racer
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Title — Rapid Racer • Developer — Sony Computer Entertainment Europe • Publisher — Sony Computer Entertainment • Producer — Pascal Jarry Richard Skews Daniel Boutros • Composer — Apollo 440 • Platforms — PlayStation • Genre — Racing • Modes — Single-player, Multiplayer
Gameplay
Gameplay
Rapid Racer was one of the first PlayStation games to take full advantage of the DualShock controller; the game allows steering with the analog sticks, and the gamepad vibrates during gameplay. The intensity of the vibrations depends on the type of water the player is in; calm rapids produce low vibrations, while heavier rapids produce high vibrations. After reaching a certain point in the game, players can unlock the Fractal Generator. This feature allows the player to select from a large number of tracks beyond the normal six. Players can either allow the generator to select a track at random or manually input their own.
Development
Development
Work on Rapid Racer began in 1995 at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Six months were spent modelling the physics and behaviour of the water. The European version of the game runs at 50 frames per second, while the North American version runs at 60 frames per second. The game's soundtrack was composed by Apollo 440 (Loudmouth in Turbo Prop Racing). The game's main theme, "Carrera Rapida" by Apollo 440, was released as a single and on their 1997 album Electro Glide in Blue.
Places
Named by the record
Places
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- United Kingdom
Named but not plotted · 1
Rapid Racer is associated with United Kingdom.
Country
Reception
Rapid Racer received above-average reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. In Japan, where the game was released on 16 July 1998, Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40. GameSpot criticised the courses for being very narrow and limited, but praised the game's "hip-hop/techno" music, comparing it favourably to that of Wipeout. Edge highlighted the fluid graphics and frame rate, but criticised the unoriginal gameplay and unrealistic boat handling, which can frustrate players. The magazine concluded: "As a technological showcase, Rapid Racer is a truly impressive achievement. As a game in its own right, however, it falls disappointingly short of the expectations aroused by its glorious visuals." GamePro said of the game, "The sounds never rise above average and the controls are way too sensitive (even with the analog controller), which makes racing in the already arduous turns a difficult task and adds to [the] game's general frustration level. With such severe visual and control maladies, Turbo Prop doesn't even come close to crossing the finish line." However, Next Generation said, "Anyone who thinks that PlayStation is finished should check this game out."
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Rapid Racer”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q779988: Rapid Racer
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.GameSpot staff. videogames.com Game Calendar. GameSpot. Ziff Davis. 7 July 1998.
- 2.Imagine Media. NG Alphas: Sony Computer Entertainment U.K. Next Generation. 23. 135–38. November 1996.
- 3.CBS Interactive. Turbo Prop Racing for PlayStation. GameRankings.
- 4.Skyler Miller. Turbo Prop Racing - Review. AllGame. All Media Network.
- 5.Tom Chick. Turbo Prop Racing. Gamecenter. CNET. 14 August 1998.
- 6.Edge staff. Rapid Racer. Edge. Future Publishing. 51. 88–89. November 1997.
- 7.Ziff Davis. Turbo Prop Racing. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 110. 149. September 1998.
- 8.Victor Lucas. Turbo Prop Racing. The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. 25 August 1998.
- 9.Enterbrain. ラピッドレーサー [PS]. Famitsu.
- 10.FuncoLand. Turbo Prop Racing. Game Informer. 64. August 1998.
- 11.Metropolis Media. REVIEW for Turbo Prop Racing. GameFan. 8 June 1998.
- 12.Mark Cooke. Turbo Prop Racing. GameRevolution. CraveOnline. August 1998.
- 13.Ryan MacDonald. Turbo Prop Racing Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000"]. GameSpot. Fandom. 4 August 1998.
- 14.Randy Nelson. Turbo Prop Racing. IGN. Ziff Davis. 24 August 1998.
- 15.Imagine Media. Turbo Prop Racing. Next Generation. 45. 129. September 1998.
- 16.Ziff Davis. Turbo Prop Racing. Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. 1. 12. September 1998.
- 17.MediaWorks. DPSソフトレビュー The Deeper Part 1: Rapid Racer. Dengeki PlayStation. 79. 105. July 24, 1998.
- 18.SoftBank Creative. ザ・プレ流PSソフト品評会: Rapid Racer. 111. 22. July 24, 1998.
- 19.Four-Eyed Dragon. Turbo Prop Racing for PlayStation on GamePro.com. GamePro. IDG Entertainment. 120. September 1998.
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