Speed Freaks

Infobox VG | title = Speed Freaks


developer = Funcom Dublin Ltd.
publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|United Kingdom|UK|September, 1999
vgrelease|North America|NA|April 18, 2000 [ [http://uk.psx.ign.com/articles/133/133364p1.html IGN:Speed Punks Preview] ]
genre = Racing
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = ELSPA: 3+
platforms = PlayStation
requirements =

"Speed Freaks" (released as "Speed Punks" outside Europe) is a racing video game for the PlayStation for up to 2 players (4 with a multi-tap for Playstation).

Players take control of characters including school drop-outs, a genius, a dog and an exchange student. The game involves racing around a variety of tracks while using several weapons; including items that make the racer's speed increase, missiles, and slime. The game was developed by Funcom and released in the United Kingdom in September 1999 and in the USA on April 18, 2000.

Development

The game took over two years to develop. WIP names used were Project SDR and Wheelnuts. [cite news| | title = Speed Freaks (Preview) | work = Playstation Power Issue 40 | pages = 32 - 35 | language = English | publisher = Future Publishing|date=June 1999]

Variations

The game has been released in two versions, named "Speed Freaks" in Europe and "Speed Punks" in the USA, which differ in certain particulars. For example, the two versions differ in the way the computer races. Also, the option for "gold wheels" affects bosses in the USA version but not in the European version.Fact|date=August 2008

Characters

The characters in Speed Freaks vary from the on that zip past unnoticed, or the ones that smash you into the wall. The three sections of characters are

High Speed, Low Recovery

These characters are best to get through the track as quick as possible, if you don't get hit by a weapon. The 2 types of these characters are:

Tempest, Buster and Wedgie

Medium

Your standard all-around characters best for anything, anywhere. They include:

Monty, Monica

Low Speed, High Recovery

These characters are not the best if you are an expert, but they can take on more damage, than the others. These maniacs are:

Tabitha, Brains

ecret Characters

These characters are unlockable once you beat them in a race. The characters have their own story, parallel to the characters you see today. They are:

Cosworth, Tetsuo, Beemer

Weapons

Basic Missile

The basic missile fires a single missile, which travels in a straight line until it hits either a character or object, or simply dies out. It can also fire backwards, and hit successfully if you watch the enemy triangle on the bottom of the screen, and can also explode bombs and block finder fish. This weapon is found in whatever place you are in.

Bomb

This will drop a bomb behind the player, which will explode on contact from a character or certain weapons (single missile, triple missile, finder fish, another bomb). When a bomb is placed on the track, it is surrounded by a red circle, which indicates the danger zone. Drive into this, and the bomb explodes. This weapon can be found from first to fifth place.

Triple Basic Missile

This fires a wide burst of three forward bursting missile. These can be particularly useful if there are several characters in front of you, as they have a wide hit area. Also, if you hit an object or character with one of the missiles, the others continue forward.

Tire-Pop

This allows you to pop the tires of all your opponents at the same time. An extremely useful weapon that slows down the whole field.

Finder Fish

This is missile with a face on it. It is far more effective than other missiles as it seeks out your opponent (and usually blasts them!).

tealth

This hides your car from other players and protects you from being hit by weapons. It lasts about ten seconds.

hockwave

Unleashes a rainbow shockwave that stops and removes boost and weapon of all opponents that are hit. It only lasts a short distance and can be avoided if opponents move to the side or are on a different part of the track, i.e shortcut.

lime

Any opponent that runs over the slime will slowdown and lose control for a few seconds.

Max Boost

Completely fills the boost gage.

References