Speed Kings is a racing video game developed by Climax London and published by Acclaim Entertainment for GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
| Speed Kings | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Climax London |
| Publisher(s) | Acclaim Entertainment |
| Platform(s) | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Release | GameCube & PlayStation 2Xbox |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editSpeed Kings is an arcade-style motorcycle racing game. There are three single-player modes in Speed Kings and five multiplayer options. There are 22 bikes featured in the game based on real-world bike models. The gear and game equipment is authentic as well and is sponsored by Shoei and Alpinestars. Additionally, it includes hidden features based on rewards that can be unlocked during gameplay.[2][3]
The game features racing through traffic-filled streets with multiple tricks, stunts, combat, and dangerous speeds. The street environments also feature moving traffic and destructible objects and the game supports a full deformation system, which illustrates real-time damage to the bike.[2][3]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GC | PS2 | Xbox | |
| GameRankings | 63.60%[17] | 62.08%[18] | 65.06%[19] |
| Metacritic | 61/100[20] | 61/100[21] | 60/100[22] |
| Publication | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GC | PS2 | Xbox | |
| Edge | 6/10[4] | 6/10[4] | 6/10[4] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 5.5/10[5] | N/A | N/A |
| Eurogamer | N/A | 5/10[6] | N/A |
| Game Informer | 7/10[7] | 6.5/10[8] | 7/10[9] |
| GamePro | N/A | N/A |    [10] |
| GameSpot | 7.6/10[11] | 7.6/10[11] | 7.6/10[11] |
| IGN | 5.5/10[12] | 5.5/10[12] | 5.5/10[12] |
| Nintendo Power | 3.7/5[13] | N/A | N/A |
| Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | N/A | [14] | N/A |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | N/A | N/A | 5.8/10[15] |
| The Village Voice | 6/10[16] | N/A | N/A |
Speed Kings was met with mixed reception. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 65% and 60 out of 100 for the Xbox version;[19][22] 64% and 61 out of 100 for the GameCube version;[17][20] and 62% and 61 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version.[18][21]
GameSpot described the game as "a fairly traditional arcade motorcycle racing game with some unconventional gameplay elements." They also stated that the visual effects of the game "looks good" and the audio "has a decent array of sound effects and music."[11] The publication later named it the best PlayStation 2 game of May 2003.[23] IGN said, "We wouldn't exactly crown Acclaim's motorcycle racer as videogame royalty."[12] Eurogamer complained that the textures were "bland and blurry" and the scenery leaves no "lasting impression". But the bikes and riders are "suitably detailed" and "the crashes look sufficiently bone-shattering." Eurogamer said it "isn't a terrible game - it's just that it's so easily ignored."[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Cove, Glen (28 May 2003). "Speed Kings Ships". Archived from the original on 3 August 2004.
- ^ a b IGN staff (10 April 2003). "Speed Kings Hands-on". IGN. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b Alex Navarro (14 May 2003). "Speed Kings E3 2003 Preshow Report". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Edge staff (July 2003). "Speed Kings". Edge. No. 125.
- ^ EGM staff (August 2003). "Speed Kings (GC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 170. p. 122.
- ^ a b Tom Bramwell (27 June 2003). "Speed Kings (PS2)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ "Speed Kings (GC)". Game Informer. No. 123. July 2003. p. 110.
- ^ Andrew Reiner (July 2003). "Speed Kings (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 123. p. 107. Archived from the original on 14 November 2004. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ Matthew Kato (July 2003). "Speed Kings (Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 123. p. 117. Archived from the original on 15 November 2004. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ Dan Elektro (21 May 2003). "Speed Kings Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 8 February 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d Ryan MacDonald (27 May 2003). "Speed Kings Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d Cory D. Lewis (28 May 2003). "Speed Kings". IGN. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ "Speed Kings". Nintendo Power. Vol. 171. September 2003. p. 136.
- ^ John Davison (July 2003). "Speed Kings". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. p. 97. Archived from the original on 29 March 2004. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ "Speed Kings". Official Xbox Magazine. September 2003. p. 81.
- ^ Nick Catucci (17 June 2003). "Macho Men". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Speed Kings for GameCube". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Speed Kings for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Speed Kings for Xbox". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Speed Kings (cube:2003): Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Speed Kings for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Speed Kings for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ The Editors of GameSpot (June 1, 2003). "GameSpot's Month in Review: May 2003". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 8, 2004.