I love a good arcade racer or kart racer, and part of the joy of such games is that the artists can go hog wild with their imaginations coming up with tracks that could never exist in the real world, or are as beautiful as anything you could see in the real world. This means both utterly gorgeous visuals or really inventive gameplay, and often both. I appreciate a good F1 track, but give me something dreamed up without the laws of physics holding it back any day.
I can't be the only one, so what are your favourites? Please post a short explanation, or a pic or vid. Don't post a pic or vid without a name, thanks.
Series: Mario Kart
Game: Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
Track: Cloudtop Cruise
Possibly my favourite track in any game ever, this is the pick from a game where every track feels like a masterpiece. Those fluffy clouds, that SMB3 airship, passing through a lightning storm, only to land on a beanstalk growing out of a '?' block JUST as the Gusty Garden Galaxy theme kicks in... I know it's a dirty word but this shit is damn near euphoric. I just laughed the first time I played it. Laughed and laughed at the preposterous brilliance of it all.
Series: F-Zero
Game: F-Zero GX (Gamecube)
Track: Fire Field: Undulation
One day I'll play this on Dolphin. If I'm honest, basically any single track from GX could have been on here (except the Casino ones, of course). But graphically this one takes the cake, and with the tube sections in shows off just how insane GX really can be.
Series: Gran Turismo
Game: Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)
Track: Tahiti MazeTahiti Maze
Simply gorgeous, and skidding down a Tahitian mountain barely in control of your vehicle was ridiculous fun, and then you came to that orgasmic moment when the car hits the tarmac again and 'snaps' back to standard grip just as you enter a picturesque little seaside town. Makes me want to visit Tahiti, only I know it isn't real.
Series: Wave Race
Game: Wave Race Blue Storm (Gamecube)
Track: Aspen Lake
Yeah, the most boring Wave Race track, but I just can't deny that it was always the one I looked forward too most. It was so tranquil, such a departure from the rest of the game, and you had so much control over your craft. A really memorable track.
Series: Forza Motorsport
Game: Forza Motorsport 2 (Xbox 360) (and others in series)
Track: Maple Valley
The classic 'wish it existed in real life and kinda surprised it doesn't track', this one is synonymous with Forza to me. Had hours of fun on Forza 2 on this one. If someone can find a better vid, that would be great.
Series: Wipeout
Game: Wipeout 2048 (PS Vita)
Track: Sol
Wipeout can be overly technical and fiddly at times, which is why this track is so great. It's Wipeout just letting its hair down and going balls out, F-Zero style. The sense of speed, danger, and verticality of this track is incredible.
Series: Motorstorm
Game: Motorstorm Apocalypse (PS3)
Track: Boardwalk
Otherwise known as 'king of gifs' and I hope some of you will deliver on that front. A perfect blend of insane spectacle and drivability, with lots of water to keep your engine temp down. Almost too much fun.
I can't be the only one, so what are your favourites? Please post a short explanation, or a pic or vid. Don't post a pic or vid without a name, thanks.
Series: Mario Kart
Game: Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
Track: Cloudtop Cruise
Possibly my favourite track in any game ever, this is the pick from a game where every track feels like a masterpiece. Those fluffy clouds, that SMB3 airship, passing through a lightning storm, only to land on a beanstalk growing out of a '?' block JUST as the Gusty Garden Galaxy theme kicks in... I know it's a dirty word but this shit is damn near euphoric. I just laughed the first time I played it. Laughed and laughed at the preposterous brilliance of it all.
Series: F-Zero
Game: F-Zero GX (Gamecube)
Track: Fire Field: Undulation
One day I'll play this on Dolphin. If I'm honest, basically any single track from GX could have been on here (except the Casino ones, of course). But graphically this one takes the cake, and with the tube sections in shows off just how insane GX really can be.
Series: Gran Turismo
Game: Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)
Track: Tahiti MazeTahiti Maze
Simply gorgeous, and skidding down a Tahitian mountain barely in control of your vehicle was ridiculous fun, and then you came to that orgasmic moment when the car hits the tarmac again and 'snaps' back to standard grip just as you enter a picturesque little seaside town. Makes me want to visit Tahiti, only I know it isn't real.
Series: Wave Race
Game: Wave Race Blue Storm (Gamecube)
Track: Aspen Lake
Yeah, the most boring Wave Race track, but I just can't deny that it was always the one I looked forward too most. It was so tranquil, such a departure from the rest of the game, and you had so much control over your craft. A really memorable track.
Series: Forza Motorsport
Game: Forza Motorsport 2 (Xbox 360) (and others in series)
Track: Maple Valley
The classic 'wish it existed in real life and kinda surprised it doesn't track', this one is synonymous with Forza to me. Had hours of fun on Forza 2 on this one. If someone can find a better vid, that would be great.
Series: Wipeout
Game: Wipeout 2048 (PS Vita)
Track: Sol
Wipeout can be overly technical and fiddly at times, which is why this track is so great. It's Wipeout just letting its hair down and going balls out, F-Zero style. The sense of speed, danger, and verticality of this track is incredible.
Series: Motorstorm
Game: Motorstorm Apocalypse (PS3)
Track: Boardwalk
Otherwise known as 'king of gifs' and I hope some of you will deliver on that front. A perfect blend of insane spectacle and drivability, with lots of water to keep your engine temp down. Almost too much fun.
