Cars (video game)


Cars is an open world racing video game based on the 2006 film of the same name. It is available on Microsoft Windows, as well as all sixth-generation and seventh-generation video game systems, except the PlayStation 3. The Wii version includes functionality geared towards its controller, and was a launch game for the system. It, and most of the other console versions, also feature the voice-over cast from the film. The game is also considered to take place after the events of the film.

Gameplay

The game is set in the fictional town of Radiator Springs, where it takes place after the movie. The player must compete in 19 road races, 8 mini-games, and 5 piston cup races to help Lightning McQueen win his first Piston Cup. The game takes place in an sand box environment in the vein of Need for Speed, Grand Theft Auto and Midnight Club and features ten playable characters from the film, all voiced by the original voice talent. The game also features a number of minigames and items for the player to collect.

Soundtrack

The game has an original score composed by Bruno Coon. The game also has eight licensed songs to fit in with McQueen's personality that consist of "Night Drive" by The All-American Rejects, "What I Want" by Autopilot Off, "Come On, Let's Go" by Los Lobos, Free Ride by The Edgar Winter Group, "The Best Looking Guy in Town" by Natural Born Hippies, Rock This Town by Stray Cats, "White Knuckle Ride" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as an instrumental version of Here I Am composed by The Explosion.

Reception

Cars received generally positive reviews. GameSpot gave 7.0 out of 10 for Xbox 360 and Wii versions, 7.6 out of 10 for the GameCube and Xbox versions, and 7.4 out of 10 for the PSP version. Metacritic gave 65 out of 100 for the Wii version, 54 out of 100 for the DS version, 73 out of 100 for the PC version, 71 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version, and 70 out of 100 for the PSP version.
The PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS releases of Cars each received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies per version in the United Kingdom. In total, the game sold more than 8 million copies as of May 2007.