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Micro Machines (video games)
Encyclopedia
Micro Machines is a series of computer and video games featuring toy cars, developed by Codemasters
and published on several platforms (including Nintendo Entertainment System
, Amiga
, Mega Drive/Genesis
, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
, Game Boy
, PS2
and Sega Game Gear between 1991 and 2006. The series is based on the Micro Machines
toy line of miniature vehicles.
Micro Machines games feature tracks based on household settings: for example, kitchen tables and desktops. The tracks also contain obstacles in the form of household items; often the possibility of falling off the track is a hazard in itself.
Released in 1991 on the NES
and 1993 on other formats, the first game in the series laid the foundation of the gameplay: a top-down racing game with miniature vehicles. The race tracks are unconventionally themed. For example, some races take place on a billiard table while others occur in a garden. The cartridge itself was gold (black in Europe) with a switch at the bottom in order to be compatible with the American and European hardware. It was also released as an add-on to the Aladdin Deck Enhancer
created by Codemasters.
Micro Machines 2 featured cars that require different handling techniques for each course and also hovercraft
and helicopter
s. There are different playing modes including "head-to-head", in which each player earns points by driving a full screen ahead of the opponent. The PC version featured a track editor.
A selling point for the Sega Mega Drive
versions was the J-Cart
, a cartridge including two control ports, thus eliminating the need for a 4-player adaptor. It also included a 'pad-sharing' feature which allowed 2 players to share a single joypad; thus it enabled 8 players to compete simultaneously, on certain tracks.
TV presenter Violet Berlin
features as a playable driver.
, this was an updated version of Micro Machines 2 that featured new tracks combined with some updated tracks from Micro Machines 2. It also featured a track construction kit previously included with the PC version of Micro Machines 2. The game was developed by Supersonic Software Ltd (DOS, Mega Drive version).
-graphics and 8-player multiplayer matches. It was released in March 1997 for the Playstation and later in 1998 for PC. It featured circuits in different areas of the household and had multiple weapons; it also included the controller share multiplayer option. The Playstation version would eventually go on to become a Platinum title
in the PAL Region.
, with added extras.
Up to 8 people can play simultaneously using what is called Pad Share, where one person uses one side of the controller, steering with the Directional pad, while the other player uses the four C-buttons. The vehicles accelerate automatically in these modes.
is a racing game
that takes an unconventional step considering it a near spin-off
as part of the series by replacing the vehicles by running characters, though they occasionally use vehicles for certain tracks, such as jet-skis, skate-boards or even bees. It also features 3d graphics and up to 8-player multiplayer games. The 12 available characters each have different special attacks.
, but instead by Atari
.
Codemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
and published on several platforms (including Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
, Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
, Mega Drive/Genesis
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
, Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
, PS2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Sega Game Gear between 1991 and 2006. The series is based on the Micro Machines
Micro Machines
Micro Machines: The Original Scale Miniatures were a line of toys originally made by Galoob in the mid 1980s and throughout the 1990s. Galoob licensed the idea behind Micro Machines from Clem Heeden, a toy inventor from Wisconsin...
toy line of miniature vehicles.
Micro Machines games feature tracks based on household settings: for example, kitchen tables and desktops. The tracks also contain obstacles in the form of household items; often the possibility of falling off the track is a hazard in itself.
Micro Machines
Nes
-Localities:In Norway:* Nes, Akershus, a municipality in the county of Akershus in Norway* Nes, Buskerud, a municipality in the county of Buskerud in Norway* Nes, Hedmark, a former municipality in the county of Hedmark in Norway...
and 1993 on other formats, the first game in the series laid the foundation of the gameplay: a top-down racing game with miniature vehicles. The race tracks are unconventionally themed. For example, some races take place on a billiard table while others occur in a garden. The cartridge itself was gold (black in Europe) with a switch at the bottom in order to be compatible with the American and European hardware. It was also released as an add-on to the Aladdin Deck Enhancer
Aladdin Deck Enhancer
The Aladdin Deck Enhancer, produced by Camerica, and developed by Codemasters, is a cartridge based system that allows software on Compact Cartridges to be played on the Nintendo Entertainment System. It is similar to the Datach system for the Famicom, but without the Barcode feature...
created by Codemasters.
Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a craft capable of traveling over surfaces while supported by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air which is ejected against the surface below and contained within a "skirt." Although supported by air, a hovercraft is not considered an aircraft.Hovercraft are used throughout...
and helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s. There are different playing modes including "head-to-head", in which each player earns points by driving a full screen ahead of the opponent. The PC version featured a track editor.
A selling point for the Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
versions was the J-Cart
J-Cart
The J-Cart was a special cartridge developed by Codemasters for the Sega Mega Drive console. It held not only the game data but also came with two additional gamepad ports. This effectively allowed four players to play simultaneously without any adapters or workarounds...
, a cartridge including two control ports, thus eliminating the need for a 4-player adaptor. It also included a 'pad-sharing' feature which allowed 2 players to share a single joypad; thus it enabled 8 players to compete simultaneously, on certain tracks.
TV presenter Violet Berlin
Violet Berlin
Violet Berlin is a Turkish born English television presenter, writer and producer best known for her coverage of video games.-Career:Berlin began presenting in the early 1990s when she presented WildBunch on BBC One, and Cool Cube on BSkyB...
features as a playable driver.
Micro Machines Turbo Tournament '96
Only released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand for the Sega Mega DriveSega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
, this was an updated version of Micro Machines 2 that featured new tracks combined with some updated tracks from Micro Machines 2. It also featured a track construction kit previously included with the PC version of Micro Machines 2. The game was developed by Supersonic Software Ltd (DOS, Mega Drive version).
Micro Machines Military
Only released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand for the Mega Drive, Micro Machines Military features all new tracks and military vehicles. These vehicles feature weapons enabling the player to attack opponents. The game is intended to run on a PAL console and although playable, will run faster than intended if played on an NTSC system. The game was developed by Supersonic Software Ltd.Micro Machines V3
Micro Machines V3 featured 3D3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
-graphics and 8-player multiplayer matches. It was released in March 1997 for the Playstation and later in 1998 for PC. It featured circuits in different areas of the household and had multiple weapons; it also included the controller share multiplayer option. The Playstation version would eventually go on to become a Platinum title
Platinum range
The Platinum Range is a Sony PlayStation budget range in the PAL regions, notably Europe , Australia, New Zealand, India, and Africa...
in the PAL Region.
Micro Machines 64 Turbo
Micro Machines 64 Turbo is a port of Micro Machines V3 for the Nintendo 64Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
, with added extras.
Up to 8 people can play simultaneously using what is called Pad Share, where one person uses one side of the controller, steering with the Directional pad, while the other player uses the four C-buttons. The vehicles accelerate automatically in these modes.
Micro Maniacs
Micro ManiacsMicro Maniacs
Micro Maniacs is a racing video game developed by Codemasters for the PlayStation. It is a spin-off to the popular Micro Machines games, the main difference being that players control tiny characters where a few racetracks feature the use of vehicles...
is a racing game
Racing game
A racing video game is a genre of video games, either in the first-person or third-person perspective, in which the player partakes in a racing competition with any type of land, air, or sea vehicles. They may be based on anything from real-world racing leagues to entirely fantastical settings...
that takes an unconventional step considering it a near spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
as part of the series by replacing the vehicles by running characters, though they occasionally use vehicles for certain tracks, such as jet-skis, skate-boards or even bees. It also features 3d graphics and up to 8-player multiplayer games. The 12 available characters each have different special attacks.
Micro Machines (2002)
This version featured advanced graphics as well as characters having unique vehicles. Though it adhered as closely as possible to the original formula, something was said to have been 'lost in the translation'. This may be because it is the only Micro Machines game not published by CodeMastersCodemasters
The Codemasters Software Company Limited, or Codemasters is a British video game developer founded by Richard and David Darling in 1986...
, but instead by Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
.