This takes me back…
Back when the PSOne and Saturn were in style, racing games were a big part of the culture. Just about everything you could imagine existed. Now with players that grew up in that era are now making games, it is not shocking to see games mimic that style as nostalgia always hits hard. Parking Garage Rally Circuit feels like a game that would be right at home on the Saturn, complete with that look and feel of games born on that console. From the dithered visuals to the slippery physics, this game wears its inspirations on its sleeve and much like those games from that era, it is a blast to play.
The name says it all, but Parking Garage Rally Circuit is a throwback to classic racing games from the 32-bit era. The idea is to navigate through these tight corridors using drift mechanics as you race against ghosts to get the best time. It feels simple and easy at first, but as the game progresses the mechanics come into play. Being able to shave off a couple seconds here and there are crucial to hitting the best times. It is addictive since the controls are super smooth and each lap, I could feel myself getting better, learning the tracks, and figuring out how to exploit certain turns.
MSRP: $9.99
Platforms: Switch 2 (reviewed), PC
Price I’d Pay: $9.99
I was curious how the developers could make this fun for longer than a few tracks. This is achieved by their creative level design. Each new track adds just enough new to make it interesting. There are environmental objects that unlock new paths, and not unlike games like Super Monkey Ball, there are plenty of ways to game the tracks. It doesn’t matter how you reach the checkpoint, just that you pass through it. This opens up some advanced mechanics that lead to some interesting ways to increase times. It is addictive and fun, and the risk/reward mechanics make replaying tracks super fun. Imagine the trial and error of Trials mixed with a little Outrun and you get the idea.
The presentation is what really sold me on the game though. I love the retro aesthetic of the visuals, and it really feels like a long-lost Saturn game. The frame rate on Switch is solid for the most part with only a hint of slowdown here and there, most people won’t even notice. The soundtrack is also amazing. The ska influenced tracks really fit the vibe perfectly. It is something I would listen to outside of the game, so kudos to the team for that.
If there is one thing I do wish was included, it would be more modes of play and perhaps an online mode. I get that this is mostly a game where you are trying to get the best time possible, but I could see a lot of fun in racing these tracks against 2-4 other players online. There are ghosts to race against of other people, and while that is neat, a true online race would have been ideal. I also wish the game had just a few extra modes. There is some DLC that expands into Europe, but I wanted more modes and perhaps some mini-games ala Super Monkey Ball with these physics. Still, what is included definitely gave me my money’s worth.
Parking Garage Rally Circuit is proof that classic game styles never have to die. We have an abundance of developers out there who, like me, grew up in the golden age of racing games. Titles like this and Victory Heat Rally are the kinds of games I miss the most from that era. So as long as indie developers exist, we can look forward to more titles like this, and I cannot wait. Definitely give this one a go if you enjoy racing games that are fun and rarely take themselves seriously.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
