BC Racers

BC Racers is a racing video game released by Core Design in 1994 for the Sega CD, and in 1995 for the Sega 32X, the 3DO, and the PC. It was the third game released in the Chuck Rock series (even though the Chuck Rock connection is not as prominent in this game). The game was designed by Toby Gard, who later created Lara Croft. BC Racers tries to create a racing simulation by mixing the usual elements of games of this genre with the "prehistoric" theme. Particularly, the game takes place in the world of one of Core's iconic characters, Chuck Rock. Its working title was "Chuck Rally".[1]

BC Racers
Cover art
Developer(s)Core Design
Publisher(s)Core Design (Sega CD), Front Street Publishing (Sega 32X, PC), GoldStar / LG Electronics (3DO)
Designer(s)Martin Gibbons
EngineProprietary
Platform(s)Sega CD, Sega 32X, PC, 3DO
Release1995
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player and Two player (split screen)

Plot

The millionaire playboy caveman Millstone Rockafella has organized a BC bike race, the winner of which will receive the Ultimate Boulderdash Bike. Six groups of riders -one driving, one deploying weapons from the sidecar- from all around the prehistoric world will use their rock-powered sidecars to compete for this prize.

Gameplay

BC Racers has four difficulty settings: Easy, Medium, Hard and Rockhard. Each of the settings has eight different circuits, making a total of 32 circuits in the game. There are also eight themes, from desert wastes to active volcanoes and massive jungles. The tracks need four laps to complete, and feature many special elements specific to the circuit's setting. Unusually for a game of this type, there are no power-ups, except for a "turbo" that the bikes can trigger every few seconds.

Both of the bikes' riders can use physical attacks to injure other drivers. If the bike gets beaten enough, it crashes out, giving the player extra points. The same thing can happen to the player's bike.

Some ports of the game include a split-screen two player mode. The Sega CD version instead has a two-player cooperative mode (one of the players controls the driver, while the other controls the fighting, steering and turbo).

Some of the riders in BC Racers come from other famous Core Design games, such as Chuck Rock and Chuck Rock Junior. Others are obvious references to several real-world characters, such as Brick Jagger, Sid Viscous and Jimi Handtrix (referencing Mick Jagger, Sid Vicious and Jimi Hendrix).

Reception

Reviewing the Sega CD version, GamePro criticized the pixelated landscapes, minimal sound effects, and difficult controls when using a three-button controller, but praised the comical graphics and "lightweight" tone, and recommended it as a decent title for younger gamers.[2] Digital Press gave the Sega CD version 7 out of 10, praising the controls and music, but they criticized the graphics.[3]

In their review of the 32X version, GamePro commented that the graphics are sharper than in the Sega CD version, but look much worse during actual gameplay due to the choppy frame rate and prominent slowdown, especially during two-player mode. They nonetheless concluded that "BC Racers' numerous tracks, humorous attacks, and simultaneous two-player action will appeal to those looking for a lighthearted challenge."[4]

Next Generation reviewed the PC version of the game, rating it two stars out of five, and stated that "there's nothing here you haven't seen before. Super Karts, with its larger graphics and wide variety of power-ups, is still the reigning champion of cart-racers."[5]

Reviewing the 3DO version, a Next Generation critic rated it as the worst racing game on the 3DO to date, citing the lack of depth to the car handling, the ugly-looking courses, and overall outdated feel of the game. He gave it one out of five stars.[6]

References
  1. "Mean Machines 18 - Work in Progress" (PDF). Mean Machines. No. 18. EMAP. April 1994. p. 20.
  2. "ProReview: BC Racers". GamePro. IDG (79): 52. April 1995.
  3. Santulli, Joe (September 1995). "Random Reviews". Digital Press. p. 14.
  4. "ProReview: BC Racers". GamePro. IDG (82): 48. July 1995.
  5. "Finals". Next Generation. No. 9. Imagine Media. September 1995. p. 94.
  6. "BC Racers". Next Generation. Imagine Media (16): 88. April 1996.
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