Motor Toon Grand Prix 2

Motor Toon Grand Prix 2
PAL cover art
Developer(s)Polys Entertainment[a]
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Producer(s)Brian J. Wiklem
Designer(s)Kazunori Yamauchi
Programmer(s)Yoshihiko Kurata, Akihiko Tan
Composer(s)Seiji Toda, Hideya Nagata
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • JP: May 24, 1996
  • NA: November 8, 1996[1]
  • PAL: November 1996
Genre(s)Kart racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Motor Toon Grand Prix 2[b] is a 1996 kart racing video game developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It was released in the US as Motor Toon Grand Prix since its predecessor never left Japan. Polys would follow up this game with Gran Turismo and form Polyphony Digital following the game's success.[2]

Gameplay

Gameplay

It supports multiplayer using the Link Cable, but does not support split-screen.[3]

Characters

  • Captain Rock (Pilot)
  • Bolbox (Robot)
  • Penguin Bros. (Mafia Penguins)
  • Princess Jean (Spoiled Princess)
  • Raptor & Raptor (Extra-Terrestrials)
  • Ching Tong Shang (Chinese race car driver)
  • Vanity (Motor-bike driver)
  • Billy the Tough (Train Driver)

Development and release

In response to the lackluster reception of the original, the staff was determined to make this sequel as better as possible. Three new characters were added as well as five new courses.[4]

Following its overseas release, a reverse import version named Motor Toon Grand Prix USA Edition[5] was developed incorporating further adjustments to the game balance. This version was released in Japan on March 20, 1997.[6] In February 2008, it was re-released on the Japanese PlayStation Network.[7]

In 2002, the game was re-released in Europe in a Twin Pack with Gran Turismo. In July 2010, the game was re-released on PlayStation Network in the West.[8] Motor Toon Grand Prix 2 was also among a number of PlayStation titles released on the Sony Tablet S and other PlayStation Certified mobile devices in 2011.[9]

Reception

Motor Grand Prix 2 received positive reviews, with critics generally praising the comedic power-ups[11][12][13] and eye-catching graphics,[11][12][13][16] and commenting that underneath the game's cartoonish exterior are genuinely solid racing gameplay and controls.[11][12][13][16] GamePro criticized that selecting power-ups from the spinning menu can be awkward, but summarized that, "It's slick, fast, and, yes, goofy fun for real race fans."[16] Hugh Sterbakov wrote in GameSpot that while the lack of a split screen multiplayer is a problem, the game overall "delivers for kids and kids-at-heart alike."[12] Todd Mowatt of Electronic Gaming Monthly called it "an excellent racing game that any fan of this genre, young or old, can enjoy."[11]

Next Generation reviewed the game, and stated that "Motor Toon is fast, gorgeous, and very different from anything else seen in the U.S. (besides gray market copies of the original Motor Toon, of course). What more could you want?"[13]

Notes

  1. ^ At the time a group within Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. Additional work by Bandit.
  2. ^ Japanese: モータートゥーン・グランプリ2, Hepburn: Mōtāto~ūn guranpuri 2

References

  1. ^ "Sony PlayStation:Motor Toon Grand Prix Press Release". Archived from the original on December 23, 1996. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  2. ^ https://www.topgear.com/car-news/gaming/remembering-classic-games-motor-toon-grand-prix-2-1996
  3. ^ Ogilvie, Tristan; Reilly, Luke; Shea, Cam; Cardy, Simon (May 22, 2019). "IGN's Top 25 Favourite Kart Racers". IGN. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  4. ^ Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 392. June 21, 1996. p. 37. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ モータートゥーン・グランプリ USAエディション
  6. ^ "モータートゥーン・グランプリ USAエディション (PS)の関連情報 | ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com". www.famitsu.com. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "SCEJ、「ゲームアーカイブス」に6タイトル追加。「モータートゥーン・グランプリ USA EDITION」など". game.watch.impress.co.jp. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  8. ^ Greer, Jordan (July 24, 2010). "Kazunori Yamauchi's "Motor Toon GP" Available on PSN". GTPlanet. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  9. ^ Crook, Jordan (October 19, 2011). "Sony Opens Up The PlayStation Store To Tablet S Owners". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  10. ^ "Testscreen: Motor Toon GP2". Edge. No. 35. August 1996. p. 80.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Team EGM Box Scores: Motor Toon Grand Prix". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 90. Ziff Davis. January 1997. p. 223.
  12. ^ a b c d e Sterbakov, Hugh (December 12, 1996). "Motor Toon Grand Prix Review". GameSpot. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Motor Toon Grand Prix". Next Generation. No. 26. Imagine Media. February 1997. p. 122.
  14. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20130625233311/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=11100
  15. ^ "Video Game Reviews, Articles, Trailers and more". Archived from the original on May 17, 2009.
  16. ^ a b c Doctor Devon (November 1996). "ProReview: Motor Toon Grand Prix 2". GamePro. No. 98. IDG. p. 115.