Micro Machines is a series of video games that include toy cars. The games were created by Codemasters and are available on many different gaming systems, such as MS-DOS, Nintendo Entertainment System, Amiga, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, PlayStation 2, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Xbox, Game Gear, and iOS. The series is inspired by the Micro Machines toy line, which includes small toy vehicles.
The games include race tracks set in places like kitchens and desks. These tracks have obstacles made from everyday objects. Falling off the track is a danger on its own.
Games
Micro Machines, the first game in the series, introduced the basic gameplay: a top-down racing game with small vehicles. The race tracks have unusual themes, such as a billiard table or a garden. The cartridge was sold in different versions. A gold (black in PAL regions) cartridge had a switch to work with American and European hardware. In Europe, a version used a "plug through" cartridge, which connected to another normal NES cartridge before being inserted into the machine. It was also released as an add-on for the Aladdin Deck Enhancer made by Codemasters.
A remake of the game came out in 2002. This version had better graphics and allowed players to choose unique vehicles. A free-to-play version for iOS devices was released on July 14, 2016, and later for Android devices and Remix OS computers in November. Published by EA's Chillingo and developed by Codemasters, the game was based on the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 racing game Toybox Turbos. Players could race online, over local WiFi, or Bluetooth. The game allowed in-app purchases to buy coins and gems, which helped players get extra car parts, such as buses, taxis, rally cars, military vehicles, and construction equipment. Players could also join clubs and compete for weekly rewards.
The game faced problems with its servers and coding, so Chillingo shut it down in August 2018.
Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament was released in 1994. It included vehicles that needed different driving skills, such as hovercraft and helicopters. The game had modes like "head-to-head," where players earned points by moving ahead of opponents. TV presenter Violet Berlin was a playable character. The MS-DOS version had a track editor, allowing players to create custom vehicles, backgrounds, and obstacles, and share them.
The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version used a J-Cart, a cartridge with two control ports, removing the need for a 4-player adaptor. It also had a "pad-sharing" feature, letting two players share one controller, enabling up to eight players to compete on certain tracks.
An updated version of Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament, called Micro Machines Turbo Tournament '96, was released only in PAL regions for the Mega Drive. It included new tracks and some from the original game, along with a track construction kit from the MS-DOS version.
A version of the game released only as a J-Cart in PAL regions for the Mega Drive featured all new tracks and military vehicles with weapons to attack opponents. It was developed by Supersonic Software.
Micro Machines V3 used 3D graphics and allowed up to eight players to race together. It had tracks set in household areas and included weapons. It also had a "controller share" feature for multiplayer.
Micro Maniacs is a racing game that differs from the series by using running characters instead of vehicles. However, some tracks let players use vehicles like jet-skis, skateboards, or bees. It had 3D graphics and up to eight-player multiplayer. There were 12 characters, each with unique special attacks. One character, "V4," suggests it is the fourth game in the series.
Micro Machines is the first reboot of the series, released for PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance. It is not highly regarded and is often forgotten.
Micro Machines V4 is considered the true sequel to Micro Machines V3. It had over 25 tracks, 750 vehicles, and a track editor (not in PSP or DS versions). New settings, such as a supermarket or swimming pool, were added. It was developed by Supersonic Software Ltd.
Micro Machines World Series was released on June 29, 2017.
Reception
Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Game Gear version of the first game a score of 6.75 out of 10. They mentioned the game’s variety of unique track settings, good graphics, and overall fun. GamePro was more critical, noting that the game has charming track designs and props but average sound quality, even by Game Gear standards. They also said the races were not very engaging, pointing out that the vehicles looked too similar and there was no clock. However, they concluded that younger players might enjoy the game more, while experienced players might find it less engaging. The game was ranked as the 14th best game of all time by Amiga Power and placed at #10 in Mega’s list of Top Mega Drive Games of All Time. MegaTech gave the game a score of 92% and awarded it a Hyper Game award. A 93% review in Mega described Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament as "multi-player fun at its best."