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High Voltage Hot Rod Show

Platform(s): Wii
Genre: Racing
Publisher: High Voltage Software
Developer: High Voltage Software

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'High Voltage Hot Rod Show' (Wii) Gets Release Date

by Rainier on Jan. 9, 2009 @ 9:12 a.m. PST

High Voltage Hot Rod Show requires players to master more than the basic racing skills to compete. A unique stunt system gives players multiple ways to build boost, which drastically increases a Hot Rod's speed. If you get too greedy, you might crash and burn!

High Voltage Hot Rod Show is a slick and fast-paced racer that challenges up to 4 players to tear up the track on a variety of off-road courses, mastering death-defying stunts and building enough Boost to stomp the competition. Players must learn to tame their monster Hot Rods by nailing ramps, powerslides, bunny-hops and tricks, while avoiding mud pits and smashing through Boost Rings to fill their Boost Meters. Players can compete against seven CPU opponents in Championship mode, or set their best lap times in the Time Trials. Top times can be uploaded to an online scoreboard via Wi-Fi Connection and shared with players around the world. Multiplayer supports up to four players in split-screen mode, giving each player a wide range of controller choices. High Voltage Hot Rod Show is an addictive racer that fully leverages the company's cutting-edge Wii technology!

"We want to wish racing fans a happy New Year by announcing the release of High Voltage Hot Rod Show," said Kerry J. Ganofsky, CEO and founder of High Voltage Software. "Wii owners who are looking for a tightly focused and highly competitive racing experience should look no further."

"The team worked extremely hard to refine the look and feel of the game," said Eric Nofsinger, Chief Creative Officer of High Voltage Software. "Whether you're playing against AI, working to beat the best online leaderboard times, or racing up to four of your friends in split-screen mode, we think players will be blown away by the experience."

High Voltage Hot Rod Show is an off-road racer with jumps and stunts. To win the race, players must not only successfully navigate each track at high speeds, but they must hit ramps and perform tricks in the air. These tricks build Boost in the Boost Meter. Boost kicks in automatically when the wheels hit the ground, providing a burst of speed. Other tools the player can use are the Powerslide, which makes handling more difficult but increases the speed through turns and maximizes boost, and Bunny-Hopping, which can be used to clear mud and obstacles and also to achieve maximum air off ramps. Players can also aim for lofty Speed Stars, which hover high above the track and reward skilled drivers with top speed bonuses.

The game is divided into three modes. The single-player Championship mode provides a series races with increasing AI difficulty. By winning races, the players unlock more races and skins for their Hot Rods. Time Trial mode encourages practice, helps players to learn the best lines through each track, and records their best times to be stored locally and compared with other players online. Multiplayer mode lets players customize a series of races with different tracks and lap counts to compete against up to three of their friends in split-screen fashion.

There are various types of tracks: Island, Desert, Forest, and Ruins, each with a unique layout that challenges the player in different ways. Ramps, Powerstrips, Boost Rings, Mud Pits, Speed Stars, barriers and chasms all play a part. The more difficult tracks have fewer guard rails, more intense jumps, and more danger.

This is a skill-based game, but it is still fun and accessible for new players, even if they need a few races under their belts before they can hang with the veterans. Championship mode is geared to provide a few extra-easy races while players acclimate to the driving mechanics. Tips appear before each race begins to help players learn advanced techniques. Once players have the controls down to a science and the tracks memorized, they will find a whole new level of skilled gameplay that provides endless replay value.

It's tough to be all things to all people, but High Voltage Hot Rod Show pulls it off by providing players with lots of control options. Controls default to the Wii motion-based scheme used by Mario Kart Wii and Excite Truck (players can use the Wii Wheel if they choose). Players can also plug in a Nunchuk for analog steering, or use the Classic Controller or GameCube Controller if they prefer a more traditional control scheme.

The game utilizes the company's proprietary Quantum 3 Game Engine technology, which provides graphical performance and game play not possible on other Wii titles.

Key Features :

  • Boost or Die - Unique Stunt/Boost system rewards players with more speed for getting the biggest air and pulling off the wildest stunts. Be careful though, your Boost will evaporate if you crash and burn.
  • Shake It Up – The default control scheme is similar to Mario Kart Wii, with motion-based steering and stunts.
  • Racing, a la Mode – Three different game modes: Championship, Time Trial, and Multiplayer provide hours of white-knuckle competition.
  • Choose your Poison – Players can choose from a variety of rockin' Hot Rods, each associated with a unique character. Each Hot Rod has skins that can be unlocked by earning gold trophies in Championship mode.
  • Bragging Rights – Post your top lap times for each of the tracks online and see how you fare against the world's best.
  • Couch Crashers – Fire up the game with up to four players in split screen mode and customize your multiplayer race series to suit your taste.

High Voltage Hot Rod Show is scheduled for release on the WiiWare downloadable service on January 19th at a price of 1,000 Wii Points.


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