Moto Roader MC (Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, X/S)

Moto Roader was a launch title for the TurboGrafix-16, a video game console from the late 80s and early 90s.  The game was a top down racer and the screen scrolled in any direction as you made laps to win (kind of like Micro Machines).  Moto Roader had a couple of sequels, but I’m not sure if they left Japan.  Moto Roader 2 had a futuristic feel to it, and the tracks scrolled mostly vertically up.  The third game in the series, Moto Roader MC, went back to the lap tracks of the original, but ditched the scrolling, so everything was on one single screen.  So it played more like Super Sprint or the Top Ride mode from Kirby Air Ride.  And now you can play Moto Roader MC on most current game consoles, but reviewed on Switch here.

Controls are really simple and straightforward.  Steer with the left stick, and accelerate and reverse with the B and Y buttons.  The X button lets you change how you control your car, toggling from RC controls to where you steer directly up, left, right, or down.  The second mode makes it easier to control if you are having trouble.  The L and R buttons let you fire missiles and mines to slow down the other cars, but watch out because they can do the same to you!

There are several modes of play. In Race, up to five players can compete in cups of five tracks, earning more points the higher you place.  There are a wide variety of tracks to choose from.  Circuit tracks look like standard race car fare.  City tracks are set in urban areas, while Nature tracks have an off-road feel.  There are also track sets based on toys and sci-fi, and you can also shuffle them around.  You can go for your best time in Time Attack, and view records and toggle options.  Omake mode is like soccer with cars, so they were doing this way before Rocket League!

Really the only problems I had were minor.  The CPU cars were way too hard, but luckily everything is unlocked from the beginning so at least you can see it all.  It would’ve been nice if they had included the other Moto Roader games in the set, since the games are so simple.  But otherwise this is a fun little game if you like racers like Super Sprint.  I wonder what other TG-16 games they can release?

Kid Factor:

Moto Roader MC is rated E-10 with ESRB descriptors of Fantasy Violence and Mild Blood.  You can shoot cars with missiles and bombs, but they just spin around and flash for a second after an explosion.  I didn’t see any blood, though.  Reading skill is helpful for the text, but not necessary just to play.  Younger gamers may need help with the controls, but with aid from another player, anyone can enjoy this game.

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