Software:Mickey's Speedway USA

From HandWiki
Short description: 2000 racing video game
Mickey's Speedway USA
North American Nintendo 64 box art
Developer(s)Rare
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Composer(s)Ben Cullum
Platform(s)
ReleaseNintendo 64
  • NA: November 13, 2000
  • EU: December 1, 2000
  • JP: January 21, 2001
Game Boy Color
  • EU: March 23, 2001
  • NA: March 25, 2001
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Mickey's Speedway USA is a Disney racing game for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color, developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo under license from Disney Interactive. It is styled after other kart racers such as Mario Kart 64 and Diddy Kong Racing, and features characters from the Mickey Mouse universe racing across the United States. It is Rare and Nintendo's second Disney-themed racing game following Mickey's Racing Adventure (1999).

Gameplay

A screenshot of the Nintendo 64 version showing a race in Indianapolis, with the player controlling Mickey Mouse.

Mickey's Speedway USA features various characters from the Mickey Mouse universe racing in karts to complete laps around a track as quickly as possible. Scattered along each track are tokens that increase racers' maximum speed, boosters which will give racers a quick burst of acceleration, and items that can be used to interfere with opponents, such as baseballs and paint cans. The Nintendo 64 (N64) version features gameplay similar to Rare's previous N64 racing game Diddy Kong Racing, while the Game Boy Color (GBC) version uses a top down gameplay style similar to its predecessor, Mickey's Racing Adventure.

The game includes a Grand Prix mode, a time trial mode, a practice mode, and multiplayer racing modes in both the N64 and GBC versions, along with a multiplayer battle mode on N64. Completing each Grand Prix on different difficulties will unlock new characters, cheats, and other features. The game features 20 different race tracks spread across five Grands Prix, all themed after famous American cities and locations such as Los Angeles , Washington, D.C., and the Grand Canyon; the selection of tracks slightly differs between versions.[1] An additional bonus track can be unlocked in the N64 version via a cheat code and in the GBC version by linking up to a copy of Mickey's Racing Adventure via the system's infrared port.[2]

Six playable characters are included in both versions of the game. These default characters are paired in statistics: Mickey and Donald have average statistics, Minnie and Daisy focus on handling and acceleration, and Goofy and Pete have a concentration in speed and quickness.[3] Three additional characters, consisting of Dewey, Louie, and Ludwig Von Drake, can be unlocked in the N64 version through completing objectives in Grand Prix mode; a fourth character, Huey, can only be unlocked by connecting to the GBC version through the Transfer Pak.[4]

Synopsis

Mickey discovers his dog, Pluto, has been kidnapped by the Weasels for his diamond collar. He calls Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy to help search for him, while Pete intercepts the phone call and follows behind. Professor Ludwig von Drake builds race cars for the group to help them search faster, and they travel across America following a series of postcards left by the Weasels. After a final race, the Weasels are found, caught, and sent to jail. Mickey happily reunites with Pluto, revealing the supposed diamonds on his collar are simply glass beads from one of Minnie's old necklaces, and the group heads home.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBCN64
AllGameN/AStarStarStar[5]
EGM6/10[6]5.67/10[7]
Game Informer8/10[9]6/10[10]
GameFanN/A91%[8]
GameProStarStarStarStar[11]StarStarStar[12]
GameRevolutionN/AC+[13]
GameSpot9/10[14]7.5/10[15]
HyperN/A77/100[16]
IGN9/10[17]6.8/10[18]
Nintendo LifeN/AStarStarStarStarStarStar[19]
Nintendo PowerStarStarStarHalf star[20]7.4/10[21]
ONMN/A92%[22]
Video Games (DE)N/A91%[23]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings81%[24]68%[25]
MetacriticN/A71/100[26]

The Nintendo 64 version received "average" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[26]

Matthew Byrd, writing for Den of Geek in 2017, said that Mickey's Speedway USA could not compete to other similar titles like Diddy Kong Racing, Mario Kart 64, or Crash Team Racing, due to its courses being not nearly as "inventive" (only a basic recreations of US locations), its power-ups as "little slim", its "problematic" artificial intelligence, and its roster of karts and tracks as "thin". Despite its flaws, he thought that Rare managed to produce an engagingly charming and functional kart racing title.[27]

See also

  • List of Disney video games

References

  1. ↑ "Mickey's Speedway USA :: GBC Game Review". Kidzworld. http://www.kidzworld.com/article/623-mickeys-speedway-usa-gbc-game-review. 
  2. ↑ Rare (2001). Mickey's Speedway USA (GBC). Nintendo. p. 12. 
  3. ↑ Rare (2001). Mickey's Speedway USA (N64). Nintendo. p. 7. 
  4. ↑ "Huey Spotted on Mickey's Speedway". March 8, 2001. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/09/huey-spotted-on-mickeys-speedway. 
  5. ↑ Frankle, Gavin. "Mickey's Speedway USA (N64) - Review". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23197&tab=review. 
  6. ↑ "Mickey's Speedway USA (GBC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. 2001. 
  7. ↑ EGM staff (February 2001). "Mickey's Speedway USA (N64)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. http://www.zdnet.com/egm/stories/main/0,11589,2668349,00.html. Retrieved December 5, 2014. 
  8. ↑ "REVIEW for Mickey's Speedway USA (N64)". GameFan. November 10, 2000. 
  9. ↑ "Mickey's Speedway USA (GBC)". Game Informer (97). May 2001. 
  10. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (January 2001). "Mickey's Speedway USA (N64)". Game Informer (93): 136. 
  11. ↑ Uncle Dust (April 25, 2001). "Mickey's Speedway USA Review for Game Boy Color on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_color/games/reviews/13364.shtml. Retrieved December 5, 2014. 
  12. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (February 8, 2001). "Mickey's Speedway USA Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/n64/games/reviews/11225.shtml. Retrieved December 5, 2014. 
  13. ↑ Liu, Johnny (November 2000). "Mickey's Speedway USA Review (N64)". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/mickeys-speedway-usa. 
  14. ↑ Provo, Frank (March 28, 2001). "Mickey's Speedway USA Review (GBC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mickeys-speedway-usa-review/1900-2702233/. 
  15. ↑ Satterfield, Shane (November 15, 2000). "Mickey's Speedway USA Review (N64)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mickeys-speedway-usa-review/1900-2654543/. 
  16. ↑ Shea, Cam (May 2001). "Mickey's Speedway USA". Hyper (91): 70. https://archive.org/details/hyper-091/page/70/mode/2up?q=%22Mickey%27s+Speedway+USA+%22. Retrieved June 23, 2021. 
  17. ↑ Harris, Craig (April 10, 2001). "Mickey's Speedway USA (GBC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/10/mickeys-speedway-usa-3. 
  18. ↑ Mirabella III, Fran (November 10, 2000). "Mickey's Speedway USA (N64)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/11/mickeys-speedway-usa. 
  19. ↑ Cave, Lewis (October 4, 2011). "Mickey's Speedway USA (Nintendo 64) Review". http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/10/mickeys_speedway_usa_retro. 
  20. ↑ "Mickey's Speedway USA (GBC)". Nintendo Power 142: 125. March 2001. 
  21. ↑ "Mickey's Speedway USA (N64)". Nintendo Power 138: 124. November 2000. 
  22. ↑ "Mickey's Speedway USA". Official Nintendo Magazine (99): 28–32. December 2000. https://archive.org/details/nom99/page/n27/mode/2up?q=%22Mickey%27s+Speedway+USA+%22. Retrieved June 23, 2021. 
  23. ↑ Meinung, Alex (December 2000). "Mickey's Speedway USA" (in de). :de:Video Games: 84–85. https://archive.org/details/video-games-de-2000-12/page/84/mode/2up?q=%22Mickey%27s+Speedway+USA+%22. Retrieved June 23, 2021. 
  24. ↑ "Mickey's Speedway USA for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/913922-mickeys-speedway-usa/index.html. 
  25. ↑ "Mickey's Speedway USA for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/913923-mickeys-speedway-usa/index.html. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Mickey's Speedway USA for Nintendo 64 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/mickeys-speedway-usa/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-64. 
  27. ↑ Byrd, Matthew (2017-06-22). "Old School Cool: Mickey's Speedway USA" (in en-US). https://www.denofgeek.com/games/old-school-cool-mickeys-speedway-usa/. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

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