Speed Kings

Speed Kings
North American GameCube cover art
Developer(s)	Climax
Publisher(s)	Acclaim
Platform(s)	GameCube, Xbox, PlayStation 2
Release date(s)	Xbox PAL: May 23, 2003 NA: June 3, 2003 GameCube & PS2 NA: May 28, 2003 PAL: July 4, 2003
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Speed Kings is a motorcycle racing game published by Acclaim for the GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2. The game was developed by the team at Climax London and was released for all platforms in 2003.

Gameplay

Speed Kings is a motorcycle racing game which focuses on an arcade style of gameplay. 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.^[1][2]

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.^[1][2]

Supported functions

Functions that are supported by the game:

• Players: 1-2
• Rumble Pak
• DualShock
• Memory Card
• Local - VS # of Players

Features

The game has multiple features, including:

• 22 bikes based on production and custom real-world models
• Three single-player modes and 5 multiplayer options
• Arcade-style handling and control
• Realistic crash sequences
• Stunts, including "power down" slides beneath semis and death-defying jumps
• Interactive street environments
• Deformation system that illustrates real-time bike damage
• Selection of riders, each with unique riding styles and taunts
• Unlockable content, including new bikes, tracks and a Grand Prix mode
• Boost reward for performing tricks
• Authentic in-game motorcycle gear

Reception and reviews

Reception

Review scores Publication Score GC PS2 Xbox Edge 6/10[3] 6/10[3] 6/10[3] EGM 5.5/10[4] N/A N/A Eurogamer N/A 5/10[5] N/A Game Informer 7/10[6] 6.5/10[7] 7/10[8] GamePro N/A N/A [9] GameSpot 7.6/10[10] 7.6/10[10] 7.6/10[10] IGN 5.5/10[11] 5.5/10[11] 5.5/10[11] Nintendo Power 3.7/5[12] N/A N/A OPM (US) N/A [13] N/A OXM (US) N/A N/A 5.8/10[14] The Village Voice 6/10[15] N/A N/A Aggregate scores GameRankings 63.60%[16] 62.08%[17] 65.06%[18] Metacritic 61/100[19] 61/100[20] 60/100[21]

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;^[18][21] 64% and 61 out of 100 for the GameCube version;^[16][19] and 62% and 61 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version.^[17][20]

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."^[10] IGN said, "We wouldn't exactly crown Acclaim's motorcycle racer as videogame royalty."^[11] 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."^[5]

See also

• Burnout (series)
• Road Rash
• Moto Racer
• Superbike 2001

References

1. IGN staff (April 10, 2003). "Speed Kings Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
2. Alex Navarro (May 14, 2003). "Speed Kings E3 2003 Preshow Report". GameSpot.
3. Edge staff (July 2003). "Speed Kings". Edge (125).
4. EGM staff (August 2003). "Speed Kings (GC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (170): 122.
5. Tom Bramwell (June 27, 2003). "Speed Kings (PS2)". Eurogamer.
6. "Speed Kings (GC)". Game Informer (123): 110. July 2003.
7. Andrew Reiner (July 2003). "Speed Kings (PS2)". Game Informer (123): 107. Archived from the original on November 14, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
8. Matthew Kato (July 2003). "Speed Kings (Xbox)". Game Informer (123): 117. Archived from the original on November 15, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
9. Dan Elektro (May 21, 2003). "Speed Kings Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
10. Ryan MacDonald (May 27, 2003). "Speed Kings Review". GameSpot.
11. Cory D. Lewis (May 28, 2003). "Speed Kings". IGN. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
12. "Speed Kings". Nintendo Power. 171: 136. September 2003.
13. John Davison (July 2003). "Speed Kings". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 97. Archived from the original on March 29, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
14. "Speed Kings". Official Xbox Magazine: 81. September 2003.
15. Nick Catucci (June 17, 2003). "Macho Men". The Village Voice. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
16. "Speed Kings for GameCube". GameRankings. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
17. "Speed Kings for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
18. "Speed Kings for Xbox". GameRankings. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
19. "Speed Kings (cube:2003): Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
20. "Speed Kings for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
21. "Speed Kings for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 28, 2014.

External links

• Speed Kings at MobyGames