Stunt Race FX

Infobox VG| title = "Stunt Race FX"


developer = Nintendo EAD (assisted by Argonaut Software)
publisher = Nintendo
designer = Shigeru Miyamoto (producer)cite web| url= http://www.n-sider.com/gameview.php?gameid=106&view=credits| title= N-Sider.com: "Stunt Race FX"|accessdate=2008-06-02|date=|publisher=N-Sider.com]
Tatsuya Hishida (director)
Shinobu Amayake (music composer)
Colin Reed (programmer)
Giles Goddard (programmer)
Masato Kimura (programmer)
Kenji Yamamoto (programmer)
released = ^JPN June 4, 1994
^NA October 10, 1994
^EU October 27, 1994
genre = Arcade Racing
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings =
platforms = Super NES
media = 8-megabit Cartridge
requirements =
input =

"Stunt Race FX" (known in Japan as nihongo|"Wild Trax"|ワイルドトラックス) is a cartoon-style, 3D-racing video game developed by Nintendo EAD assisted by Argonaut Software and published by Nintendo for the Super NES. It was the second game to use the 3D-centric Super FX chip.

Gameplay

At first glance, "Stunt Race FX" appears to be like a zany version of SEGA's Virtua Racing. The gameplay of "Stunt Race FX" is slightly more difficult than Super Mario Kart. Also, there aren't any weapons to use in attacking other vehicles, while it is possible to boost the speeds of the vehicles, making its gameplay similar to Nintendo's other Super NES game, F-ZERO. Other things inspired by F-ZERO are the L and R buttons used by players in making sharp turns and the possibility to damage vehicles by hitting walls, environmental hazards, and other vehicles by accident during races. It is also possible to damage vehicles by landing from high areas.

Vehicles

There are three vehicles to choose from. Four if you unlock 2WD and five if you count TRAILER. "Stunt Race FX"'s use of eyes on the vehicles was a late-in-development addition, to give character to otherwise personality-free cars. Each vehicle has different capabilities in terms of speed, body and acceleration. According to the instruction booklet, the vehicles are male, except for the first one.

*COUPE - A small, yellow, car with balanced settings. In the Japanese instruction manual, this car's gender is female; however, in the instruction booklets for the North American and European versions, this car's gender is male. She is based on the car body style of the same name. Her MAX SPEED is 120 MPH. Besides the stable performance and tight steering, her Boost meter consumption is lower than the other vehicles. If the player controls her well, the player can save a lot of time. COUPE's tire grip is relatively low, which can require the player to use the L and R buttons to drift in the corners, while making sure not to slow down too much. COUPE is designed for intermediate players.
*F-Type - A Formula One-like vehicle. His MAX SPEED is 140 MPH. Players can turn him quickly and control him easily, because of his strong down-force. As soon as he accelerates, F-Type runs very fast. His body is the weakest out of every vehicle. F-Type is designed for advanced players. There are two ways to race him. Players can chance it and try drifting with the L and R buttons, or run safely controlling the gas pedal to match the tire grip. Due to him being weak, players must adjust the balance of F-Type in mid-air using the steering buttons to land safely. This technique is very important for anyone who uses F-Type.
*4WD - A monster truck-like vehicle that has a powerful engine to balance his heavy weight. He is a monster machine with very large tires that give great grip performance. This vehicle is designed for beginner players. His MAX SPEED is 100 MPH. He is great in a dash start and unsurpassed for off-road driving. Undeniably, he is the easiest vehicle to use in STUNT TRAX, according to the game's instruction booklet. His steering is heavy, which might require a player to turn quickly at every curve. While cornering, even if a player kept using the L and R buttons to steer harder, 4WD hardly spins. It is the only vehicle players can use in TEST RUN.
*2WD - This vehicle is often considered by many to be a motorcycle, but he is actually a two-wheeled car, because of him having a cockpit with a windshield. He can only be used in FREE TRAX after a player beats NOVICE class in SPEED TRAX; however, if a player clears MASTER class in SPEED TRAX, 2WD will be allowed to use in all modes. If a player uses the cornering buttons (L and R), 2WD will turn by shifting his weight left and right while leaning his body. If 2WD loses balance, it would be difficult for him to recover. His MAX SPEED is 140 MPH.
*TRAILER - A special semi-trailer truck that can only be played in each SPEED TRAX Bonus Game. Because of his very large size and the flexibility of the hitch between the cab and trailer, he is very tough to drive. Unlike other vehicles, TRAILER's camera angle is different, which can be confusing to players controlling him. It is impossible to damage this vehicle.

Modes

The game features five modes: three for racing levels, one for obstacle courses, one for test-driving, one for time-attacking and one for multiplayer racing.
*SPEED TRAX - This mode can only be played by one player. Player must beat a class in order to move up to the next class. Each class has four courses and a Bonus Game. There are three classes: NOVICE (for beginner players), EXPERT (for intermediate players) and MASTER (for advanced players). For a total of fifteen tracks (twelve courses and three Bonus Games). To complete a course, player much complete three laps before time runs out. Every time a player completes a lap or passes through a Checkpoint, the countdown timer will extend. After the third lap is completed, all the time left will be taken to the next course. However, players can not carry more than 100 seconds. There are three rival vehicles for a player to compete against. If a player makes a vehicle he or she controls run of course into a water hazard, completely fill up the Damage meter and destroys it, run in fourth/last place or if the timer drops to zero, player loses a try and restarts the race on the same course he or she was on. If runs out of tries, the game is over. Bonus Games are the only courses in this mode that allows players to either play them or not. They are also the only courses in the game where players can earn extra tries, just in case if players often lost races and wanted to try a few more times.After EXPERT class has been cleared, MASTER class will be unlocked.
*STUNT TRAX - The goal of this mode is to drive all the way through each course as fast as possible while touching every star in sight to make a perfect score. There are four courses exclusive in this mode: "Ice Dance", "Blue Lake", "Rock Field" and "Up'n Down". There are four Areas and three gates per course. When driven through a gate, the gate will close, making the player unable to reenter the previous Areas already passed through. A Special Course called "Radio Control" can be unlocked after the other four courses have been cleared. Unlike the other four courses, "Radio Control" doesn't have any stars nor gates, which it is actually a destruction derby course with the style of radio-controlling. The goal in this course is to run the vehicle the player is controlling into every other vehicle to destroy them.
*BATTLE TRAX - This mode is for head-to-head racing. Up to two computer players or human players can participate in this mode. For a computer player or two, players must have both standard controllers plugged in, while leaving at least one of them alone, in order to activate a computer player or two. There are four courses exclusive in this mode: "Marine Pipe", "Port Arena", "Cotton Farm" and "Toxic Desert" (titled as "Toxic Dessert" in the game).
*TEST RUN - This mode is designed for beginners to practice by test-driving. Only one vehicle (4WD) and one nameless course is playable in this mode. After finishing three laps, the screen blacks out while the mode select screen returns. After FREE TRAX is unlocked, TEST RUN will no longer be playable; however, if the saved data was erased after FREE TRAX is unlocked, TEST RUN will be playable again.
*FREE TRAX - This mode can only be unlocked by beating either NOVICE class or EXPERT class in SPEED TRAX. Players use this mode for practicing courses from completed SPEED TRAX classes, including ones that are from the Bonus Games. This mode is also used for time-attacking. There is no time limit.

Graphics

The capabilities of the Super FX chip are demonstrated extensively in "Stunt Race FX". Each course appears to be constructed with 3D polygons, complete with road bumps and overhead passes, resulting in a considerably large number of animation screens. Detailed billboard advertisements also appear throughout each race course. These realistic representations were possible on the Super NES because the Super FX chip rendered 2D sprites in a visual format that resembled 3D polygons. Under this format, polygons would not "crash" together to become distorted, though the graphics would run slower. This lack of speed was incorporated into the gameplay by featuring cars that were heavier and clumsier than those included in conventional racing games.

Since polygons would not crash together under the FX graphics chip, it became impossible to depict cars crashing into water or being submerged in water. In courses with lakes or rivers, where it is possible for the player to run off the race course into the water, the player's vehicle automatically veers off-screen when the vehicle is about to enter a body of water. The game screen then fades-out to return to another camera angle.

History

Development

In 1991, Nintendo began developing a custom 3D cartridge chip called the Super FX chip with Argonaut Software as their assistant, so that it can be used in Super NES games to create polygonal 3D graphics. The first game that used the Super FX was "Star Fox", which became a success. After the release of "Star Fox", Nintendo and Argonaut began conducting various experiments throughout the co-development of the Super FX chip. The development of "Stunt Race FX" started when Giles Goddard and Colin Reed joined in and later became Nintendo employees. Nintendo used the polygon concept to create a 3D-animated racing game filled with high-flying stunts and obstacles, as well as normal racing. While the game was solid, the overall product quality and timing of release weren't favorable to its success. Nintendo has since discontinued the idea of franchising the series. The one prior incident took form with a canceled sequel on the Nintendo 64 called "Buggie Boogie". [cite web |author = | date=December, 13, 2007| title=N-Sider.com: "Stunt Race FX"
format= | work=N-Sider.com | url=http://www.n-sider.com/gameview.php?gameid=106&view=dev | accessdate=2007-12-13] nihongo|Wataru Yamaguchi|山口亘 created the official clay models of the "Stunt Race FX" vehicles used on the Japanese version's box art and the instruction booklet of all versions. [cite web |author = | date=September, 11, 2007| title=ほぼ日刊イトイ新聞 - 樹の上の秘密基地。
format= | work=www.1101.com | url=http://www.1101.com/nintendo/pikmin_artwork/01.html | accessdate=2007-09-11]

Marketing

Two different television commercials were made and aired: one for Japan and one for North America and Europe. The Japanese commercial was a short Japanese animation showing the vehicles from the game in action along with gameplay footage of the game itself.cite web | url = http://majipon.hp.infoseek.co.jp/nintendo/94/1994nintendofc.htm | title = 任天堂のCM　1994年 | publisher = majipon.hp.infoseek.co.jp | accessdate = 2008-06-21] cite web | url = http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_game_commercial.asp?ID=8342 | title = Kaijin Zona + Wild Trax aka Stunt Race FX | publisher = gameads.gamepressure.com | accessdate = 2008-08-27] In the commercial for North America and Europe, it showed a police officer talking to viewers while some gameplay footage of the game itself were shown.cite web | url = http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_game_commercial.asp?ID=2974 | title = North American/European commercial for "Stunt Race FX" (German/Deutsch) | publisher = majipon.hp.infoseek.co.jp | accessdate = 2008-06-21]

Around the time "Stunt Race FX" was released in the United States, Nintendo of America teamed up with Kellogg's and Mattel to give away a promotional, Hot Wheels brand, F-Type race car to people who mailed a rebate from a box of Apple Jacks to Nintendo of America. The television commercial for it showed the toy car move across a kitchen table in front of a box of Apple Jacks while a young, blonde-haired boy wearing glasses looks at the toy car from behind the box of Apple Jacks. At the same time, the announcer in the commercial said "Now you can get the Super NES Stunt Race FX car free, when you mail a rebate from a box of Apple Jacks." This marketing idea didn't support Stunt Race FX's sales in the United States much. Currently, the limited-edition F-Type car is quite rare, especially the ones that are still factory-sealed.

Reception

VG Reviews
EGM =66% [http://www.mobygames.com/game/snes/stunt-race-fx/mobyrank MobyGames MobyRanks page for "Stunt Race FX"] . MobyGames. Retrieved on 2008-06-27]
GI =
GSpot =7.8/10.0 [http://www.gamespot.com/snes/driving/wildtrax/review.html Gamespot Other Reviews page for "Stunt Race FX"] . GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-06-27]
GSpy =
IGN =
MobyGames = 3.6/5.0 [http://www.mobygames.com/game/snes/stunt-race-fx/ MobyGames page on "Stunt Race FX"] . MobyGames. Retrieved on 2008-06-27]
NP = 4 out of 5cite web
url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/588705.asp
title = GameRankings - "Stunt Race FX" reviews
accessdate = 2007-11-19]
rev1 = Videogames NZ
rev1Score = 92 of 100cite web
url = http://vgnz.com/showreview.php?id=267
title = Videogames NZ - "Stunt Race FX"
accessdate = 2007-11-19]
rev2 = AllGame
rev2Score = 4.5 of 5cite web
url = http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:2618
title = allgame ((( "Stunt Race FX" > Overview )))
accessdate = 2007-11-19]
rev3 = GamePro
rev3Score = 72%cite web
url = http://www.gamespot.com/snes/driving/wildtrax/review.html?mode=web
title = Gamespot - Other reviews
accessdate = 2008-06-27]
rev4 = Bad Influence!
rev4Score = 4 out of 5cite web
url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhMXJx6MKEs
title = Bad Influence Series 3 Episode 3 Part 1
accessdate = 2008-04-28]
rev5 = Nintendo Magazine System UK
rev5Score = 95%
rev6 = "Edge"
rev6Score = 90%
rev7 = "Game Players"
rev7Score = 90%|
compilation = yes|
GR=86% (based on 2 reviews)|
MG=83% (based on 5 reviews)Despite the game's sales, popularity and marketing all three being poor, most reviews of the game were positive.

Related releases

Cameos

*The Arwings from the Star Fox series made a cameo appearance in this title. In the Night Cruise track, when you bump a vehicle you are controlling into one of the first three Star Fox bill boards, an Arwing will drop a Boost power-up in front of you, before you enter the first tunnel.cite web | url = http://nindb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/shvc-cq.shtml | title = Nintendo Database - "Stunt Race FX" brief info | publisher = Nintendo Database | accessdate = 2008-06-27] In the Sky Ramp track, all four Arwings of the Star Fox Team will fly around in an air show-style.Fact|date=July 2008
*Some billboards very briefly appear on courses with the faces of Mario, Fox McCloud, and Kirby.

Other appearances in media

* In the Wii game, "Super Smash Bros. Brawl", two vehicles from "Stunt Race FX" appeared as two of the many Stickers to obtain. One was F-Type, the other was TRAILER (which was referred to as "Tractor Trailer"). The name of their origin was referred to as "Wild Trax" instead of "Stunt Race FX"; however, "Stunt Race FX" was mentioned in the Chronicles section of the same Wii game.Fact|date=July 2008 A song (whether arranged or not) was planned to be added to the song list of the Wii game, but then was cancelled for unknown reasons.Fact|date=June 2008

Soundtrack

Infobox Album
Name = "Wild Trax - Rare Tracks for Driving"
Type = soundtrack
Artist =


Released = 1994-09-21
Recorded = 1994
Genre = Video game music
Length =
Label = Sony
Producer = Shinobu Amayake
Reviews =
Last album =
This album =
Next album =

"Wild Trax - Rare Tracks for Driving" is the soundtrack for "Stunt Race FX". The album was a collection of original music composed by Shinobu Amayake, as well as many sound effects. It also included arranged music by Yoshiyuki Ito and Akira Hoshi, and was released by Sony Records in Japan on September 21, 1994.cite web | url = http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/w/wildtrax.shtml | title = Square Enix Music Online :: "Wild Trax ~ Rare Tracks For Driving" :: Album Information | publisher = Square Enix Music Online | accessdate = 2008-06-21] The album is currently quite rare.

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = "Wild Trax - Rare Tracks for Driving" track list
title1 = Title ~ Aqua Tunnel
length1 = 5:40
title2 = Easy Ride ~ Sky Ramp
length2 = 4:50
title3 = Sunset Valley ~ Night Owl
length3 = 5:09
title4 = Title
length4 = 1:52
title5 = Select Men
length5 = 0:25
title6 = Start Fanfare (Speed & Battle Trax)
length6 = 0:07
title7 = Start Fanfare (Stunt Trax)
length7 = 0:08
title8 = Easy Ride
length8 = 2:01
title9 = Aqua Tunnel
length9 = 1:52
title10 = Sunset Valley
length10 = 1:35
title11 = Night Owl
length11 = 1:37
title12 = King's Forest
length12 = 1:24
title13 = White Land
length13 = 1:31
title14 = Lakeside
length14 = 1:44
title15 = Sky Ramp
length15 = 1:49
title16 = Up'N Down
length16 = 1:25
title17 = Blue Lake
length17 = 2:10
title18 = Bonus
length18 = 1:02
title19 = Radio Control
length19 = 0:54
title20 = Goal Fanfare
length20 = 0:07
title21 = Goal
length21 = 0:32
title22 = Lizard
length22 = 0:32
title23 = Ending
length23 = 2:22
title24 = Engine On (4WD ~ Coupe ~ F-Type ~ 2WD ~ Trailer)
length24 = 1:07
title25 = Bekishoutotsu On
length25 = 0:05
title26 = Chakuchi On (1 ~ 4)
length26 = 0:12
title27 = Shoutotsu On
length27 = 0:20
title28 = Crash (1 ~ 2)
length28 = 0:08
title29 = Rakuseki
length29 = 0:06
title30 = Inazuma
length30 = 0:04
title31 = Yukidaruma
length31 = 0:05
title32 = Rakka On
length32 = 0:05
title33 = Ku
length33 = 0:15
title34 = Boost
length34 = 0:05
title35 = Kaifuku
length35 = 0:06
title36 = Mizu Shibuki
length36 = 0:05
title37 = Kamome
length37 = 0:06
title38 = Kyouryuu
length38 = 0:05
title39 = Tori
length39 = 0:06
title40 = Iruke
length40 = 0:05
title41 = Kansei
length41 = 0:06
title42 = Jet Ki
length42 = 0:11
title43 = Irwin
length43 = 0:06
title44 = Trailer Tsuuka
length44 = 0:05
title45 = Boost Lost
length45 = 0:05
title46 = Parts Gattai
length46 = 0:06
title47 = Damage Keikoku
length47 = 0:07
title48 = Gyakusou Keikoku
length48 = 0:06
title49 = Daibokuhatsu
length49 = 0:07
title50 = Slip
length50 = 0:07
title51 = Brake
length51 = 0:06
title52 = Dirt Soukou
length52 = 0:06
title53 = Kyousoukou On
length53 = 0:07
title54 = Pause
length54 = 0:16
title55 = Time Kasan
length55 = 0:08
title56 = Lap Tsuuka
length56 = 0:06
title57 = Time Up
length57 = 0:05
title58 = Retire
length58 = 0:05
title59 = Frog Catch
length59 = 0:05
title60 = Start Signal
length60 = 0:07
title61 = Cursor
length61 = 0:05
title62 = Cursor Kettei
length62 = 0:06
title63 = Cancel
length63 = 0:06
title64 = Window Open
length64 = 0:05
title65 = Window Close
length65 = 0:05
title66 = Shutter
length66 = 0:05
title67 = Star Catch
length67 = 0:06
title68 = Gong
length68 = 0:06
title69 = Yuki Nadare
length69 = 0:05
title70 = Chuukan Get Tsuuka
length70 = 0:04

References

External links

* Official Nintendo web page ( [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/cq/index.html Japanese] ) ( [http://www.excite.co.jp/world/url/body?wb_url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/cq/index.html&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2 Translated using Excite.Co.Jp] )
*StrategyWiki|Stunt Race FX
*GameFAQs|type=/console/snes|num=588705|name="Stunt Race FX"
*moby game|id=/stunt-race-fx