By Joshua Callum Jeffery 06.07.2013
Nintendo are making their digital platforms easier and easier to develop for, getting some strong editions of mobile games. Just released by Zordix, AquaMoto Racing 3D is a 3DS version of the popular iOS jet ski game at £8.99. Those looking for some jet ski gaming fun this summer may want to read on…
AquaMoto Racing 3D does what it says on the tin. Pictures of guys riding jet skis, an icon of a guy riding a jet ski, and then when the game boots up, demo footage of a guy racing a jet ski. That's what the game's about and it doesn't complicate that. The touch screen shows simple menus that aren't the prettiest in presentation, but are easy to navigate. Usual racing game modes are all there, like Championship or Quick Race (choosing any course freely), Garage for buying better jet skis, and a tutorial introducing the simple controls. This simplicity is a refreshingly good thing for pick-up-and-play sessions. The A button is used to accelerate, the Circle Pad turns, and X lets players turbo boost once the turbo gauge is full, making the game very easy to get to grips with. There are no confusing water drift mechanics here. You bought a jet ski racing game, and you're getting a jet ski racing game.
The game has six Championship cups to race through, each with three different courses. Playing through the courses and championships nets medals, money, and achievements depending on accomplishments earned in a race, and are ideal for those who want a little more substance for their buck. Money can also be found dotted about within races, similarly to Mario Kart's coin system, meaning that if there's a newly-unlocked jet ski in the garage itching to be bought, good navigation of each race could net that shiny new kit much sooner. The gameplay itself is simple enough, indicated by the simple controls. The goal is to navigate to the left of yellow buoys, and the right of red ones, taking on a different circuit in each race. Missing the buoys or heading around the wrong side of them earns a penalty, and three penalties means disqualification. It may sound tough at first, but it's really just a way to keep everyone on course during the race, as those familiar with jet ski racing games may be already aware. Not just that, but the tighter the buoys are passed, the better the score and turbo reward. The turbo gauge is filled by passing closely by a buoy, or doing a stunt off a ramp; every time a ramp is used, a selection of buttons appear on the touch screen designated to a one-to-three star stunt. Three star stunts take longer to do and need more air, but offer more turbo if pulled off, and as more jet skis are unlocked this becomes easier and easier to pull off. Experienced players may find themselves doing more than one stunt in one jump for a great turbo bonus, because using a turbo, especially soaring off a ramp, is quite satisfying indeed.
Of course, being a jet ski game, almost all the action takes place on the water, usually off-coast. The simple visuals sometimes provide a pretty backdrop with a beach or seaside locale, while some appear a little more rugged, like a jungle. The waves also differ depending on the stage; some stages have calm, almost flat waters, making navigation easy, but most stages have regular waves which, unfortunately, rather than being used to help make cool stunts or giving momentum-based speed boosts, too often feel repetitive and impeding to the race. Starting off slow while bobbing about on waves makes acceleration difficult to achieve at times, especially with the game's simple physics. This is even worse when the usually optional "storm mode" is activated, an option for Quick Races that makes the waves even more hectic and dark, meaning much more bobbing about and a lot less actual racing. This is perhaps a mode for the curious or the completionist more than anything... and likely a laugh in busy multiplayer. The waves can give a bit of air, perhaps offering a bit of soaring after a well-aimed boost, but unfortunately stunts off waves are a no-no, no matter how high players jump from them. Luckily, these repetitive waves are the worst factor that AquaMoto has to speak of, and they're not even that bad.
Speaking of multiplayer, AquaMoto Racing 3D offers download play multiplayer for up to six players, which is very generous for a download title. Racing with friends can be fun, particularly when competing over those tight corners or ramp bonuses, and there's something amusing about seeing a friend's jet ski fly into the distance as they went off a ramp a bit too high. Therein also lies one of the game's subtle challenges: if the pro player happens to want to find a way to dominate the variety of tracks in the game, perhaps the unlockable jet skis will prove even more interesting. The more difficult to navigate a course is, the riskier it is to use a very fast jet ski that can speed right past those crucial turns. What initially looked like a nice raise in stats may hinder speed demon players, adding a potential interesting element of strategy to picking the right speed jet ski for the right stage.
Of course, it's summer, so maybe, despite the risk of going off-course, going all out and getting some crazy air while turboing over a ramp sounds like fun anyway!
AquaMoto Racing 3D is a fun little racing game for quick bursts on the go that's made a comfortable transition from phone to 3DS, though, unfortunately, has not made the best use of the 3D in its name. As a game, it's definitely quality minus a few small presentation issues, but its simplicity is also its problem as there's not a whole lot to get very excited about. Thankfully, download play means players can jet ski with their local 3DS pals for only £8.99!
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