Wheelspin (video game)


Wheelspin, known as Speed Zone in North America, is a futuristic racing video game for Wii, developed by British developer Awesome Play. The races take place on various terrains such as space stations, planets and asteroids. The game was released in the U.S. in August 2009 and is published in Europe by Bethesda Softworks.

Gameplay

Single player

Boost pads are used to accelerate 'into the zone' where racing lines and phantom cars are used in an attempt to set lap records, levels are unlocked by beating a set Zone-Time. There are shortcuts and secret pickups to be found with bonus rewards being earned by setting new best times. These bonus rewards can then be used to buy aerodynamic aids, various performance upgrades, new cars and skins which all help to give a speed increase when re-attempting levels.
A single pickup is added randomly during each race, this power-up transforms the car driven into a giant enemy robot, which does massive damage to other cars. While in control of the robot speed is greatly increased but maneuverability is drastically brought down and it becomes harder for other cars to overtake you.
In Race mode seven computer-controlled cars are competed against, unlocking levels by finishing in the top three or better. Finally there is Battle Mode which is a futuristic demolition derby; players can use an assortment of weapons such as rockets, mines, lasers, missiles, a lightning gun and a chain gun. There are also assorted defensive pick-ups such as shields, a stealth clock and shock-jumps.

Multiplayer

Race and Battle modes allow up to eight simultaneous players and uses four Wii Remote units and any combination of four Classic Controllers, Nunchuks, Logitech Speed Force Wireless force feedback racing wheels and Nintendo GameCube controllers. The game is the first to use support up to four of the Logitech Speed Force Wireless Racing Wheels.

Reception

The game received "unfavorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.