Micro Machines V4

Micro Machines V4
Developer(s)	Supersonic Software
Publisher(s)	Codemasters
Series	Micro Machines video game series
Engine	Renderware
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
Release date(s)	Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 & PlayStation Portable NA: June 27, 2006 EU: June 30, 2006 Nintendo DS EU: December 1, 2006 NA: February 6, 2007 AUS: February 9, 2007
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Micro Machines V4 is a racing video game developed by Supersonic Software and published by Codemasters for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS. The game is the last in the Micro Machines video game series.

Gameplay

The player controls a toy Micro Machines vehicle and drives it through a course.^[1] As in most games, the objective is to beat the other racers to the finish line. However, as in other games in the Micro Machines video game series, there is an alternate way to victory as well; in racing, the "screen" is shared amongst all racers (opposed to split screen), and if a player can drives far enough ahead of the other racer(s), they receive a point.^[2] If enough points are received or lost, the player will win or lose.^[2] Upon winning races, new vehicles to race as are earned, with a total of 750 to be collected.^[3][4] As the game entails driving toy cars, the races courses settings typically reflect that, with courses being set up on pool tables, around the edge of bathtubs, on furniture, or other household type settings.^[2]

Reception

Micro Machines V4 received mixed reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PlayStation 2 version 66.49% and 64/100,^[5][6] the Nintendo DS version 62.23% and 62/100,^[7][8] the PlayStation Portable version 61.69% and 61/100^[9][10] and the PC version 59.24% and 57/100.^[11][12]

IGN gave the game a 7/10, stating that "Micro Machines V4 is definitely the strongest version to come along since the franchise debuted on the NES almost 20 years ago. A solidly-designed title aimed at young children and inexperienced gamers, V4 is a nice, entry-level piece of software that offers just enough challenge and variety for juveniles without the inevitable frustrations and complications found in most of today's racers."^[1] GameSpot gave the game a 5.5/10, while they praised the game to its number of cars to collect, they largely criticized the generic nature of the cars, the trial and error-based gameplay and poor camera view.^[4]

References