Yaris

• Title — Yaris • Developer — Castaway Entertainment • Publisher — Backbone Emeryville • Released — October 10, 2007 • Genre — Racing game/Shooter • Modes — Single-player, Multiplayer • Platforms — Xbox Live Arcade

• Illustration — Yaris gameplay screenshot The game is a simplified futuristic combat racing game featuring three Yaris models, each with prehensile robotic gun called a "mechanosymbiont" emanating from the hood. The default color of the car is red. The available models include a 3-Door Liftback, a 4-Door Sedan, and a 4-Door S Sedan. Gameplay consists of racing through U-shaped tube racing tracks while picking up coins, similar to the "Special Stages" in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The tracks are populated by abstract enemies such as MP3 players, flaming wheels with deadly trails of fire, and odd motorcycle racers. The enemies can be attacked with the car's "mechanosymbiont" laser gun; some destroyed enemies release coins as well. The cars can be upgraded with collected coins, from improving the chassis or wheels, changing the color, increasing the weapon storage, or increasing the shield strength. The weapons that can be obtained include a sawblade, gatling laser, rocket launcher, shotgun laser, and gauss cannon.

The game features two player multiplayer, both on the same machine and on Xbox Live. The players can simultaneously help and hinder each other with various "auras" that occur when the cars are close to one another. Pressing each of the four controller buttons has a different effect: • A: Regenerates both cars' shields • X: Extra coins from enemies • B: Drains the opponent's shields • Y: Causes coins to emanate from the opponent