| Graphics: |   4 |
| SFX: | 4 |
| Music: | 3 |
| Gameplay: | 4 |
| Challenge: | 4 |
| Replay: | 4 |
| Overall: | 4 |
| Genre: | Racing |
| Reading ability: | Not Required |
| Company: | Imagineer |
Background:
Released in 1986, Atari's Super Sprint was an arcade staple back in the '80s. This arcade cabinet featured three steering wheels for multiple players, and everyone can remember flinging the steering wheel so hard just to make the turns without crashing. Powerups in the shape of wrenches would occasionally appear on the track, allowing the car to be upgraded in between tracks. Each level would feature a new track with increasing difficulty. Super Sprint appeared on the NES, the Commodore 64, and the Atari ST. Another similar arcade game with four steering wheels was Ironman Stewart's Off-Road, featuring pickup trucks that could similarly be upgraded and such.
Well, perhaps many people who remember the nostalgic days of playing Super Sprint (or it's two-player pseudo-sequel, Championship Sprint) may not remember Atari's followup 1989 arcade game, Badlands. The game had a post-apocalyptic feel to it, and was reminiscent of movies such as The Road Warrior and Deathrace 2000. The wrenches appeared on the courses in this game too, allowing cars to be upgraded. The arcade came with two steering wheels and the necessary gas pedals, but it also had a fire button. The cars in the game were armed with cannons, and as the race played, you can slow down the other cars by shooting them.
The Game:
Imagineer's Battle Cross is extremely reminiscent of Atari's Super Sprint and Badlands. If you've enjoyed games like Super Sprint in the arcade or Rock 'N Roll Racing on the SNES, you'll likely enjoy this game a lot. Battle Cross takes the concept of Badlands' power-up system and provides a fun, challenging racing experience. The game is a race with futuristic hover bikes. You cannot be destroyed, so don't expect an explosion like in Super Sprint where the helicopter comes out to replace your ruined car. Unlike other SNES racing games, there is no Mode 7 pseudo-3D graphics in Battle Cross. The entire track is on the screen with a 2D isometric viewpoint. There is a total of nine different tracks, and each presents a unique challenge. The first track is pretty simple, but the second track gets trickier with a pirate who fires a cannon at the racers. Track four brings back some more Super Sprint memories with its shortcut gate that opens and closes. Tracks seven and nine feature obstacles that move around and get in the way of the racers. Track nine is particularly charming, as it is reminiscent of a pinball machine.
Control is considerably tighter than Super Sprint, making steering much less of a chore. The game makes use of all of the SNES's controller buttons: B is accelerate, A is the brake, Y plants mines, X is for Nitro, L is jump, and R shoots your lasers.
Here is a list of powerups you will find on the race tracks:
Speed up. Increases your bike's speed.
Nitro. Press X for a quick boost of speed. Use only once.
Rocket. Press R to fire at another racer, and it homes in on them. Use only once.
Laser. Press R to fire. Unlimited use.
Rapid fire laser. Press and hold R for automatic rapid fire. The recoil will slow you down, though.
Mine. Press Y to drop, but be careful of dropping it if someone is directly behind you, lest you be caught in the explosion. Use only once per lap, or you can drop more if you can pick up additional powerups.
Left/Right reverse. Press R to launch this at an enemy to reverse their directions. It homes in on them. Use only once.
16 ton. Press R to launch this at another racer and it homes in on them. Use only once.
Muteki. This makes you as crazy and unstoppable as a honey badger. It engages autopilot, invincibility, and increases your speed. Not only are you invincible, but anyone you touch gets messed up and slowed down.
You will also encounter some creatures on the tracks:
Slime. This little critter doesn't really get in your way, but if you can shoot it with a laser, it will release four power-up items.
Fairy. If you've been afflicted by the 16t or L/R, she will cure your status if you can touch her.
Graphics:
Graphics are very sharp, and animations are great. At first, the game's graphics seem rather simplistic, but when you realize how much animation is going on at one time, it's very impressive. Even the top bar alone has so many different animations going on at the same time. Characters around the perimeter of the track move around as well.
Music/Sound:
Music is cute and pleasant. Sound effects are nice too. The hover bikes' motors and the audience's applause sound very nice and realistic. Explosions, shots, and the rest are very clear-sounding.
Challenge and replay:
This game is so much fun! And of course, the most enjoyment is to play it with one or more friends via a multi-tap.
The Good:
Very fun party game. Nine different tracks provide a variety of great game play. Up to five players can race simultaneously if you have a multitap, making Battle Cross a very fun party game like Bomberman.
The Bad:
Not much to gripe about! I've had so much fun with this game, and I haven't even touched the Grand Prix part of the game.
Overall:
This is a fairly obscure Super Famicom game. It's not one of the more popular games, but it is a very fun and a gem to add to your SFC game collection. I definitely recommend buying this game!
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