Recently I was lamenting the lack of some key B-list franchises on Nintendo's latest console. One of those specifically was F-Zero, and for those of us who love super-fast futuristic racing it is sorely missed indeed. All is not lost for fans of the genre however as I have recently been turned on to an apparent cult hit in the same genre, and it happens to be come from the unlikeliest of places, a licensed property. I am talking about Speed Racer the Videogame for Wii, and while it may not quite match the heights of F-Zero, the experience is still well worth the drive!

Anyone who saw last year's feature film by the Wachowski Brothers (which I loved, by the way) knows that they while they based the plot and characters off the classic cartoon, the visuals and racing action were borrowed heavily from F-Zero, so it's not much of a surprise that the games are similar. What has surprised me is that this licensed game is actually really good, and it's starting to get a reputation for being so. I had been told by numerous people that the game was really fun, and since most stores now have it for a cheap price (about $20) I decided to give it a try.

Man, am I ever glad I did! The game has plenty of the classic characters and cars, including awesomely badass Racer X, and the driving has quite a smooth and speedy feel. The real strategy comes in what the game exuberantly refers to as "Car-Fu" which requires you to take down your rivals with wild maneuvers that knock them clear off the track. It's very fast-paced and exciting!

Being a fan of the subject matter helps a bit with my enjoyment, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the title to racing fans, especially at the budget price. "Buyer, Beware" though as I have seen inconsistently high prices for copies on the Internet, possibly stemming from the good buzz that has sprung up around the game. I actually snagged that last copy form the store I bought it at. Anyone considering picking it up shouldn't hesitate as the game is really fun and the closest thing to F-Zero we're liable to see for quite some time. The presentation could be a little better and I miss the classic music, but Speed Racer for Wii is still a hell of a ride.



Go, Speed Racer, Go!