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Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero, released as Tokyo Xtreme Racer in PAL territories (not to be confused with the Dreamcast game) and Shutokou Battle 0 in Japan, is a 2001 racing game developed by Genki for PlayStation 2. Despite its name, it is set between Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 and Drift, and has enhanced sound and graphics.
| Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero | |
|---|---|
 North American PlayStation 2 cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Genki |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Director(s) | Shigeo Koyama |
| Series | Shutokō Battle series |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
This is the first game in the series to be released on PlayStation 2. The Tokyo Xtreme Racer series has produced a total of six games, the first four being U.S. localizations of the first four Shutokou Battle series games and the final two being U.S. localizations of the first and third Kaido Battle series games.
Gameplay
editThe game does not make use of regular racing rules, instead, the game makes use of SP (Spirit Points) bars, consisting of "health bars" for the player and the rival each. The SP bar is decreased when one hits an obstacle or is behind their opponent. The one with their SP bar running out loses the battle. If the opposing vehicles take different routes, the battle will result in a draw.
The game has an in-game currency called CP. CP can be earned by doing battles with any rival, and can then be used to buy cars and parts.
The player's car performance can deteriorate should they decide not to take measures in which they drive slowly when they're not in a race, or decrease their boost level, especially when they're in a turbo car. However, if the player returns to the garage, the performance of their car will be reset.
The game has a list of 165 cars, all of which are unlicensed and have altered badges to avoid copyright.
Sequels
editThe hero defeats all the teams, the 13 Devils, "Speed King", and "Zodiac". The player is then challenged by "???", in a dark blue Fairlady Z S30Z (based on the Devil Z from Wangan Midnight) and defeats him as well. The story is followed by the sequel Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift, in which an unknown rookie begins his career on touge roads instead. This was also followed by Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3, where many racers from Zero and Drift return with the addition of newer rivals in locations spanning from Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 76/100[3] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame |   [4] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 8.17/10[5][a] |
| EP Daily | 8/10[6] |
| Famitsu | 34/40[7] |
| Game Informer | 8/10[8] |
| GameSpot | 7.6/10[9] |
| GameSpy | 85%[10] |
| IGN | 8.3/10[11] |
| Next Generation |  [12] |
| Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | [13] |
The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] However, in his review of the game, Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen repeated the notion from his review of Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 seven issues ago in saying that the Tokyo Xtreme Racer series "has its fans, and if we can understand the attraction, we don't share it."[12] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 34 out of 40.[7] Jake The Snake of GamePro's website-only review said, "If you're a junky [sic] for driving games and tricked-out cars, you might like Tokyo Racer [sic]---but even you should rent this game before buying."[14][b]
Notes
edit- ^ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the game, one critic gave it 8.5/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 8/10.
- ^ GamePro gave the game two 4/5 scores for graphics and control, 3.5/5 for sound, and 2.5/5 for fun factor.
References
edit- ^ IGN staff (May 29, 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero Drives Home". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Tokyo Xtreme Racer (PS2)". Chips. Archived from the original on March 28, 2002. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Jon. "Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ^ Mielke, James "Milkman"; Sewart, Greg; Dudlak, Jonathan (July 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 144. Ziff Davis. p. 112. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Suciu, Peter (July 20, 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ a b "プレイステーション2 - 首都高バトル0". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 60. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Kato, Matthew (June 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero". Game Informer. No. 98. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on January 30, 2008. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ^ Ahmed, Shahed (May 11, 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero Review [JP Import]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Carlock, Jamie (June 8, 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero". PlanetPS2. GameSpy Industries. Archived from the original on June 28, 2001. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ^ Smith, David (May 30, 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Lundrigan, Jeff (August 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero". NextGen. No. 80. Imagine Media. p. 82. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Davison, John (June 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 45. Ziff Davis. p. 98. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Jake The Snake (June 4, 2001). "Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Zero for PS2 on GamePro.com [mislabeled as "Tokyo Racer"]". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved December 4, 2014.