Muppet RaceMania
Encyclopedia
Muppet RaceMania is a PlayStation racing game
that was developed by Traveller's Tales
Ltd., and published by Midway
that was released in 2000. The game includes the choice of 25 muppet characters driving 25 vehicles. They race on 34 tracks based on sites in Muppet films (The Muppet Movie
, The Great Muppet Caper
, The Muppets Take Manhattan
, The Muppet Christmas Carol
, Muppet Treasure Island
and Muppets From Space
), and Muppet TV programs (The Muppet theatre from The Muppet Show
, and the caves from Fraggle Rock
).
Extra characters were unlocked by beating them in races or battles, or by finding them hidden in different tracks. Also hidden are clips from the Muppet movies.
This game marked the first vocal appearance by Scooter
and Janice since the death of Richard Hunt
. Both were performed by Matt Vogel, the only time he voiced these characters.
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 was developed by Traveller's Tales
Traveller's Tales
Traveller's Tales is an English software house founded in 1989 and fully established in 1990 and based in Knutsford, Cheshire.It is part of the TT Games group—after the merger of publisher Giant Interactive and the developer Traveller's Tales—along with TT Games Publishing...
Ltd., and published by Midway
Midway Games
Midway Games, Inc. is an American company that was formerly a major video game publisher. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2009, it is no longer active and is in the process of liquidating all of its assets. Midway's titles included Mortal Kombat, Ms.Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, Tron, Rampage, the...
that was released in 2000. The game includes the choice of 25 muppet characters driving 25 vehicles. They race on 34 tracks based on sites in Muppet films (The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie is the first of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets. Released in 1979, the film was produced by Henson Associates, Children's Television Workshop and ITC Entertainment....
, The Great Muppet Caper
The Great Muppet Caper
The Great Muppet Caper is a 1981 mystery comedy film directed by Jim Henson. It is the second of a series of live-action musical feature films, starring Jim Henson's Muppets. This film was produced by Henson Associates, ITC Entertainment and Universal Pictures, and premiered on 26 July 1981. The...
, The Muppets Take Manhattan
The Muppets Take Manhattan
The Muppets Take Manhattan is the third of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets, and also the final film before Henson's death. This film was produced by Henson Associates and TriStar Pictures, and was filmed on location in New York City during the summer of...
, The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 musical comedy film adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, starring Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, directed by Brian Henson, produced by The Jim Henson Company, and released by Walt Disney Pictures...
, Muppet Treasure Island
Muppet Treasure Island
Muppet Treasure Island is a 1996 American musical film based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. It is the fifth feature film to star The Muppets and was directed by Jim Henson's son Brian Henson....
and Muppets From Space
Muppets from Space
Muppets from Space is a 1999 science fiction comedy film and the sixth feature film to star The Muppets, and the first since the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson to have an original Muppet-focused plot. The film was directed by Tim Hill, produced by Jim Henson Pictures, and released to theaters...
), and Muppet TV programs (The Muppet theatre from The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
, and the caves from Fraggle Rock
Fraggle Rock
Fraggle Rock is a children's live action puppet television program series created by Jim Henson. The central characters were a set of "Muppet" creatures called Fraggles. The show ran from January 10, 1983, to March 30, 1987, on CBC Television in Canada, ITV in the UK, HBO in the United States,...
).
Extra characters were unlocked by beating them in races or battles, or by finding them hidden in different tracks. Also hidden are clips from the Muppet movies.
This game marked the first vocal appearance by Scooter
Scooter (Muppet)
Scooter is a bespectacled character from The Muppets. In The Muppet Show he was the troupe's backstage "gofer". He was originally performed by Richard Hunt.-Characteristics:...
and Janice since the death of Richard Hunt
Richard Hunt (puppeteer)
Richard Hunt was an American puppeteer best known as a Muppet performer. Hunt's Muppet roles included Scooter, Beaker, Janice, Statler, and Sweetums.-Early years:...
. Both were performed by Matt Vogel, the only time he voiced these characters.
Modes
- Race Mode
- Battle Mode
- Adventure Mode
- Stunt Mode
- Chicken Chase
- Reverse Race
- Battle Race
Weapons
There are a few weapons that can be used against other players during gameplay (except in stunt mode when there are no other players).- penguins - used like a landmine, the penguin is dropped behind the player for other players behind them to bump into. As they hop, they sound like Sea lions.
- CamillaCamilla-People:* Camilla , including a list of people with the name* Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the wife of Charles, Prince of Wales-Arts and literature:* Camilla , daughter of King Metabus and Casmilla in Roman mythology...
- used to shoot out in front of the player, the chicken runs faster and chases players ahead for a distance. - fish - used to throw directly at other players in front of the player.
- bomb - used to ariel attack an opponent or when your in a small room it will bounce against the walls in order to hit the opponent(s)
- special move - each muppet character has their own special move that can be activated after fulling up on boost. This move is applied to all other players in play. The move generally stuns other players (in some theatrical manner) and prevents them from moving forward. In race mode this allows a player to get ahead, and in battle mode it allows a player to stop being attacked and stop other players so you can attack them while stunned. For instance, Kermit's special move puts the other players on a bouncing lily pad for a few seconds; Janice's Flower Power move puts them in a 60s flower daze, and Pepe's move shrinks all others to the size of a shrimp.
Cast
- Bill BarrettaBill BarrettaBill Barretta has been performing with the Muppets since 1991, when he performed the body of family father Earl Sinclair on Dinosaurs...
- Pepe/BoboBobo the BearBobo the Bear first appeared in The Muppets Take Manhattan, but as a different puppet from the current one. He is notable as a more realistic portrayal of the animal on which he is based, compared to the stylized appearance of Muppet mainstay Fozzie Bear.Bobo has been in several Muppet films as a...
/Rowlf/ChefSwedish ChefThe Swedish Chef is a Muppet that appeared on The Muppet Show. He was operated by Jim Henson and Frank Oz simultaneously and is now puppeteered by Bill Barretta.-Character:...
/Johnny FiamaJohnny FiamaJohnny Fiama is a Muppet that is modeled after Frank Sinatra. He has a monkey bodyguard named Sal Minella. Performed by Bill Barretta, he made his first appearance in Muppets Tonight. Johnny's most recent film is The Muppets' Wizard of Oz with Sal Manilla yet again...
(voice and archived footage) - Kevin ClashKevin ClashKevin Jeffrey Clash is an American puppeteer and voice actor whose characters include Elmo, Baby Sinclair, Clifford, Splinter and Hoots the Owl...
- CliffordClifford (Muppet)Clifford is a Muppet character, performed by Kevin Clash. He is a violet-colored creature with multi-colored dreadlocks and big lips. Like many other Muppets, it is never specified what kind of creature he is, but it is speculated that he is in fact a catfish.He was created to be the bass guitar...
/Spa'Am (voice) - Dave GoelzDave GoelzDave Goelz is a puppeteer best-known for his association with The Muppets, and in particular with the Muppet character Gonzo. His other Muppet characters include Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot , Beauregard the janitor and Tiny...
- The Great GonzoGonzo (Muppet)Gonzo the Great is a puppet character, one of Jim Henson's Muppets. He was developed and performed by Dave Goelz. The character made his first appearance in a 1970 Christmas special entitled "The Great Santa Claus Switch". Known as a "Whatever" , he is considered one of The Frackles...
/Zoot the Sax Player/Bunsen/WaldorfStatler & WaldorfStatler and Waldorf are a pair of Muppet characters. They are two ornery, disagreeable old men who first appeared in the television series The Muppet Show heckling the rest of the cast from their balcony seats. They appeared in every episode of the show, except for one...
/BeauregardBeauregard (Muppet)Beauregard is a Muppet from The Muppet Show. He is a back-stage janitor of indeterminate species. He tries to be helpful, but his dimwitted efforts frequently result in disaster. He first appeared in Episode 310 of The Muppet Show. His slow wit is often preyed upon by other characters who use him...
/Bill (voice and archived footage) - Brian HensonBrian HensonBrian Henson is an Academy Award-winning puppeteer, director, producer, and technician. The son of puppeteers Jane and Jim Henson, Brian was born in New York City, New York....
- Sal/Van Neuter (voice) - John KennedyJohn Kennedy (puppeteer)John Kennedy is a puppeteer who has worked with The Jim Henson Company since 1990. From 1991 until 2003, Kennedy took over Jim Henson's role of Dr. Teeth, after which Bill Barretta took over in 2005. Kennedy has also voiced Kermit the Frog in Disney Cruise Lines.-Characters:* Dr. Teeth * Multiple...
- Dr. Teeth (voice) - Jerry NelsonJerry NelsonJerry Nelson is an American Muppet puppeteer, known for his wide range of characters, singing abilities, and his frequent partnership with Richard Hunt.-Early years:...
- Floyd/Robin/StatlerStatler & WaldorfStatler and Waldorf are a pair of Muppet characters. They are two ornery, disagreeable old men who first appeared in the television series The Muppet Show heckling the rest of the cast from their balcony seats. They appeared in every episode of the show, except for one...
(voice and archived footage) - Frank OzFrank OzFrank Oz is a British-born American film director, actor, voice actor and puppeteer who is known for creating and performing the characters Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear in The Muppet Show, Cookie Monster, Bert and Grover in Sesame Street, and for directing films, including the 1986 Little Shop of...
- Miss PiggyMiss PiggyMiss Piggy is a Muppet character who was primarily played by Frank Oz on The Muppet Show. In 2001, Eric Jacobson began performing the role, although Oz did not officially retire until 2002....
/FozzieFozzie BearFozzie Bear is a Muppet, created by Jim Henson. He is an orange, particularly fuzzy bear who works as a stand-up comic and has a catchphrase, "Wocka Wocka Wocka". Shortly after telling the joke, he is usually the target of rotten tomatoes and ridicule, especially from hecklers Statler and Waldorf...
/Animal/Sam (voice and archived footage) - Matt Vogel - ScooterScooter (Muppet)Scooter is a bespectacled character from The Muppets. In The Muppet Show he was the troupe's backstage "gofer". He was originally performed by Richard Hunt.-Characteristics:...
/Janice (voice) - Steve WhitmireSteve WhitmireSteven Whitmire is an American puppeteer who works for The Jim Henson Company, Sesame Workshop and Disney's The Muppets Studio. He has been the performer of two signature Muppets - Kermit the Frog and Sesame Street's Ernie - since the death of their creator and original performer, Jim Henson, in...
- KermitKermit the FrogKermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
/RizzoRizzo the RatRizzo the Rat is a Muppet, performed by Steve Whitmire. Rizzo first appeared in episode 418 of The Muppet Show, as one of a group of rats following Christopher Reeve around backstage. He can be seen mugging and reacting to practically every line of dialogue. He remained a scene-stealing background...
/BeakerBeaker (Muppet)Beaker is a Muppet character from The Muppet Show. He is the shy, long-suffering assistant of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and is likewise named for a piece of laboratory equipment, although his shape more closely resembles an Erlenmeyer flask....
/Bean BunnyBean BunnyBean Bunny is one of the Muppets. His first appearance was in the HBO special The Tale of the Bunny Picnic. He is performed by Steve Whitmire...
/Link/Doozer/Gill (voice and archived footage) - Jim HensonJim HensonJames Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
- KermitKermit the FrogKermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
/Waldorf (voice)Statler & WaldorfStatler and Waldorf are a pair of Muppet characters. They are two ornery, disagreeable old men who first appeared in the television series The Muppet Show heckling the rest of the cast from their balcony seats. They appeared in every episode of the show, except for one...
(uncredited - archived footage) - Richard HuntRichard Hunt (puppeteer)Richard Hunt was an American puppeteer best known as a Muppet performer. Hunt's Muppet roles included Scooter, Beaker, Janice, Statler, and Sweetums.-Early years:...
- StatlerStatler & WaldorfStatler and Waldorf are a pair of Muppet characters. They are two ornery, disagreeable old men who first appeared in the television series The Muppet Show heckling the rest of the cast from their balcony seats. They appeared in every episode of the show, except for one...
(voice) (uncredited - archived footage)
Further reading
- Review on Game-Ireland.com