California Speed's insane locations and speed make it worth the trip by a longshot
Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Tilt: 8/10
Final Score: 8.8/10 (B+)
Clearly inspired by San Francisco Rush, but a lot more fun, California Speed's claim to fame is its crazy locations. You can go on a UFO, in a mall (with crashing into people), and even on a golf course. This premise got me hooked from the very start. This is one of the few racing games I've played in the arcades, and it sucked in every last bit of my quarters.
I was staying in a Quality Inn and Suites hotel in Niagra Falls, New York (which was really fun, BTW) for a wedding, and I suddenly saw an arcade by the front desk, with this in it, as well as Hydro Thunder (which I see EVERYWHERE!!), Rush Rock Edition, and Crusn' Exotica. I spent my money on California Speed. I was aware of the N64 version, but I never owned it nor played it before. I should thinking of getting it, because California Speed rules! Unlike San Francisco Rush (N64 version), the controls let you STEER!! They feel somewhat twitchy, but I rarely had any problems with it. The racing is generic, but I'll take it any day. The races are high speed and thrilling. The announcer sounds like that girl from The Mighty Bee, a show I HATE SO MUCH!! That's okay, because she rarely talks even in the arcade version.
The framerate is fast and smooth and the gameplay blends between realism and arcade appeal. In the mall location, when you hit people, they fly high in the sky!! That's hilarious. The problem is, with the generic level design, there's RARELY a chance to catch big air in the game, which was really fun about San Francisco Rush. Don't get me wrong, I like this game better, but at least Rush let you go 100 feet in the air!! Especially when there's a high hill, I just want to fly (Sugar Ray reference). Especially when the game claims it's "the fastest driving game ever", It ticks me off that it couldn't be like Rush. Also, I keep finishing in fourth place, even when I'm driving 175 MILES AN HOUR!! GIVE ME A BREAK HERE!! Okay, maybe that's not a problem, but there aren't a lot of shortcuts and the road is wide open.
The graphics are solid and the audio is top notch. The music is dead on for the locations, and most of the California cities are in this game.
California Speed's insane locations and speed make it worth the trip by a longshot. Don't let its flaws make you think it isn't fun. One of the best racers I've played in recent memory, if California Speed is awesome in the arcades, I can't wait to get the N64 version!