Original Release: Konami, 1994, SNES
Another entry in the “isometric racer” sub-genre founded by RC Pro-Am, Biker Mice is competent but grindy
Biker Mice From Mars (SNES, Konami, 1994)
Where to Buy: eBay
How to Emulate: SNES Emulation Guide
Review by: C. M0use
If you’re playing a Konami licensed title from the 90s based on some anthropomorphic animal property, like 99% of the time it’s a beat-em-up. This is one of that other oddball 1%. Konami’s spin on Biker Mice From Mars, a flash-in-the-pan Ninja Turtles-alike of the early-mid 90s, is instead a racer in the lineage of RC Pro-Am (with Rock n’ Roll Racing being a more contemporary SNES … uh … contemporary).
One element that’s a bit unusual is that the structure is more like what would become common in the CD-ROM era of racers a few years later; you grind the early races over and over for money to upgrade your car pieces and parts before you can proceed. The gameplay is simple, with not a lot to remark on if you’ve already played RC Pro-Am or similar titles. You pick from one of six characters from the cartoon, each has their own little stats and special powers, there’s a slew of Mario Kart-esque powerups and weapons. One little unique quirk is that you need to pop a wheelie to maintain your speed over various rough and wet patches along the tracks, but otherwise this has all been seen before.
I feel like it’s a mediocre title. It isn’t any real specific failure of gameplay, or track design, or graphics, all are at least adequate and occasionally impressive. It’s more that it’s a difficult grind to play, between replaying the same levels a lot and the computer’s top three racers driving nearly flawlessly in every race right from the beginning. After a lap or two they all gain the ability to shit endless bombs with lethal precision, and guess who they aim all of them at? You’re also constrained by the structure, which starts you out in one “cup” so to speak and won’t let you move on until you place in the top three overall, otherwise you’re just kicked back to the first race of it to continue grinding.
The whole thing is a bit of a letdown only because it was a later-life SNES title and because Konami set the bar so high with their other licensed cartoon titles, if this had come out in the early system life it would probably have got more traction. But it’s ultimately frustrating and a grind to play. Rock n Roll Racing is the superior title if you want a racer in this style.
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