Pole Position: Remix

Jeff Scott — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:11:54 +0000

Pole Position: Remix

By Jeff Scott on September 29th, 2008
Our Rating: :: ABOVE AVERAGE

This retro racing game leaves me wishing for the original

Developer: Namco Networks America
Price: $9.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.0

Graphics / Sound Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.33 out of 5 stars

First, a confession. Pole Position, the original video game, is second in my all time favorite video game list (Galaga is #1). So it was with great joy that I downloaded this app when it first came out. Then, disappointment soon followed.

Sometimes I wish Namco would just bring out a faithful remake of the video games it does. Don’t remix them. Seems like they just get ruined. A $2 faithful remix, flaws and all, would be great. But, let’s take a step back and just review this as a new game. Many of the potential downloaders have probably never even seen an original Pole Position game.

Pole Position Remix has some interesting play modes — Single race, Grand Prix, Sudden Death, and Practice. Multiple tracks are also available with variations on those tracks being unlockable.

The game goes a step beyond and provides multiple steering methods — accelerometer based titling, on screen steering wheel, and on screen slider. I find the slider to be the easiest way to steer. Your preference may be different. Speaking of the steering, it’s not true steering. As this is an arcade game, the steering isn’t what you would expect from a racing game. It’s assisted steering, just like the original video game. It’s fairly well done, but takes a few races to get used to.

As you’ll notice, the graphics are pretty close to the original arcade graphics. More colors, but still pretty cartoon like. Not that it’s a bad thing, just shows a little simplicity in the game.

While this game does provide a nice variety of play options, it seems way over priced for what it is. It’s retro graphics and play modes just don’t fit with the $10 price tag. But, for pure arcade game retro-love, I’m glad I got it. Still would have preferred to have that faithful remake.