What’s that Burger King saying? ‘Have it your way’…Well, having it my way is when I get a decent game for an even more decent price. That’s almost the case with King Games’ Burger King inspired video game called: Pocket Bike Racer. The game is only $3.99 with any value meal at your local BK – that’s it, 4 bucks. So, with that said, for 4 smackers, it isn’t all that bad. Sure, it isn’t Moto GP, and sure as heck isn’t Mario Kart. But I do give a bit of credit to the game…it plays like it’s an 8-dollar game (insert rimshot here). If you were expecting a lot from this game, you are sorely mistaken. Like I said, it’s a cheap game that will cost you 4 dollars…ok, 7 dollars when you count the value meal, but you and I both know you were going get that anyway.
What it does have is a very approachable and (believe it or not) intuitive design aimed at any age, really. Anyone can play this game. And it is much more like your (very) standard ‘kart’ game; more so than a ‘motorcycle’ game (hence the referral to Mario Kart above). You can’t expect a lasting appeal, though, and you surely can’t expect stellar graphics or superlative presentation. Playing as a giant chicken or Brooke Burke (there’s that age aiming I was talking about), and jumping and sliding on a tiny motorcycle, is all that it really offers. Oh, and if you are a GamerPoint (360 owners) freak, then you can get some easy points with this game. Wait, wait, there’s more: you can play online.
The little that it offers is actually fun for an hour or so, and unfortunately that’s really it. There are 5 game modes available. ‘Race’ is just that: see who can get to the finish line first. ‘Time Trial’ is also pretty self-explanatory. ‘Cone Trial’ is a frantic attempt to get through a prescribed amount of cone gates before the other characters do. It’s not a race, per say, so you can go any direction at any time. ‘Battle Royale’ is the standard for just about any kart game, again, that’s basically what this is. ‘Hardcore’ is the last one. And it isn’t hardcore; it’s boring. All the power ups and boost gates are gone, taking away what little bit of fun there is.
Each mode still suffers from poorly inspired level designs, though. Tracks range from riding around a BK parking lot, to a back yard full of jumps and berms (built up corners). You may actually enjoy one of the 5 levels…just maybe. There is a little bit of challenge and finesse if you can master the slide technique, which most people can master in about 5 minutes. Now, you’re out in 1st place, once you get out there, the challenge is gone. Staying on the track is your challenge and it isn’t hard; people in the rear of the pack will never catch you unless you screw up bad. I actually found myself waiting for the other characters just to keep me interested.
The only consolation is the use of power ups and speed boost, which you can use after you build up your power meter when you go through the gates within the levels. Power ups can be anything from a simple rocket, to a huge blinding light…yeah, that’s the kind of stuff that they put in there, instead of fry grease, shakes, and blinding Whopper patties thrown into your face. Where’s the creativity? I just don’t understand why anyone would bother making this game only to use things that are sorely overdone, especially when the answers are in the BK kitchen. All right, back on target here. The speed boost was actually my favorite because you catch pretty decent air when maxed out at full boost. It kept me somewhat entertained on levels that had jumps – it’s the small things in life, right?
Online mode adds a tiny bit of playability, offering up matches for 8 players with no lag and good voice chat; and a couple more Gamer Points too. You can also play up to 4 players offline. Split screen matches are ok, but nothing like the fun you get from the likes of Mario Kart.
Overall, Pocket Bike Racer definitely doesn’t do anything new in the sea of ‘kart’ games. Yeah, it’s dirt-cheap and offers up some Gamer Points, but it sure doesn’t make me want to throw away my other ‘kart’ games for this one. Still, it is actually worth the money if you aren’t expecting a lot from the game. It also isn’t bad to add to your collection if you have the other two King games. If there was more humor and more use of the BK license, this game could have faired much better. Oh well, for some reason I really want to play Mario Kart now.
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| The Core Score |
Overall
5 |
| Fun |
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5 |
| Gameplay |
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5 |
| Graphics |
|
6 |
| Audio |
|
5 |
| Replay |
|
4 |
|
| Kid Safe Score |
| 10 Great |
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Everyone. Yup, the arguably scary Burger King guy is about as extreme as it gets. |
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