Metascore
69 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 30
  2. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. It is unfortunate that the movie performed as poorly as it did, as the game is one of the better arcade-style racing games that have come out in a long time.
  2. 83
    Unlike the vast majority of videogame adaptations designed to further boost Hollywood's already bulging coffers, Speed Racer doesn't overreach by trying to justify its existence with masses of unnecessary gameplay fluff, convoluted storylines and flashy worthless extras. Instead it keeps its focus solely on fun-filled Car-Fu racing, not needing to swamp the gameplay with star likenesses and vocal performances in an effort to paper over any developmental shortcomings.
  3. Speed Racer is a good racing game. The key to the success of the game is its simplicity, so it is suitable for beginners and pros.
  4. You won't find an epic amount of unique content here (perhaps throwing the full price tag into question for some), but while it lasts, Speed Racer: The Videogame is a thrilling, futuristic race experience that succeeds with stylish visuals, incredible speed, and addictive combat.
  5. Speed Racer at its core is an amazing game, with great depth, control, and nice difficulty progression. Perhaps Sidhe Interactive will use this great engine (and maybe even the Speed Racer license) for another title with more inspired track design, better graphics, and a more fully-featured package overall.
  6. Quite simply, Speed Racer works while it lasts. It is not an exceptionally long or difficult game, but while it lasts, it is unusually awesome, managing to distill many of the greatest elements of the original "Speed Racer" series and movie into one manic whole.
  7. Races are frantic and the controls are a pleasure, and the only regret is that there isn't much in the way of track diversity.
  8. 75
    Speed Racer: The Videogame excels at multiplayer, allowing two people to play split screen across a variety of Championship races.
  9. Not a bad portable racer by any means, but there has been better. I'd suggest this one more for the younger crowd, due to the simplified controls if for no other reason.
  10. 75
    For what it is, with voiceovers from the actors, what I imagine is probably movie soundtrack, and some excellent-looking, swift racing with seriously fun combat stunts, Speed Racer: The Videogame is awesome.
  11. I was pleasantly surprised and then challenged at how well a game based on a movie was playing; good controls and level design make this a good find.
  12. Despite having some great gameplay, SR: TVG is ultimately let down by its serious lack of depth.
  13. Speed Racer the Videogame, much like the movie it's based upon, is a resounding victory of style over substance.
  14. And so Speed Racer: The Videogame offers a solid, if unremarkable experience.
  15. Speed Racer is a movie that assaults your eyes with colour and the game does its best to bring that to gamers.
  16. It's a novel idea that works, yet despite the fun racing action, Speed Racer suffers from limited tracks, a short Championship Mode and no online play. It's worth a few hours of your time, but don't spend $49.99 for it.
  17. Excite Truck meets F-Zero – entertaining future-racer, but too short.
  18. 70
    A surprisingly adept and entertaining racing game. The fundamental gameplay mechanics are strong, the control well done, and the visual presentation more or less perfectly in tune with the film.
  19. If you are a fan of the Speed Racer label then you will have a good reason to go check out Speed Racer: The Videogame.
  20. 70
    Speed Racer is a very solid movie game tie in that does justice to the film. In fact, it's easily the best movie game tie in of the year, aside from the lack of content the game is a lot of fun and makes every other racing game feel slow.
  21. Overall, Speed Racer is a very solid F-Zero clone with a few niggles dragging it down. Mainly, it's the lack of a real sense of speed that disappointed us, which is something we adored about the F-Zero series.
  22. If you are a fan of racers and are looking for something other than Mario Kart then this is certainly a game worth looking at.
  23. When all is said and done, Speed Racer: The Videogame is a licensed title that is actually a fun game, but it's just not complete.
  24. Speed Racer is definitely a rental unless you're a fan of the television series or the newly released movie.
  25. If you should spot Speed Racer in a bargain bin, and fancy a few hours of simple, entertaining arcade racing, it's worth a look.
  26. While it represents a modest improvement over Enter The Matrix, it still shares a vital similarity in that it feels unfinished and rushed to market to meet a deadline.
  27. 60
    Speed Racer is a decent racing game, but it never gets your adrenaline pumping. Even the movie connection doesn't juice up the show. Also, unlike most racing for Nintendo systems, only two players can race in split screen mode, and there's no online mode at all.
  28. It has lackluster graphics, awkward controls, and just doesn't make a memorable or worthwhile game experience.
  29. The flimsy core betrays a bevy of neat ideas nabbed straight from the film. [Aug 2008, p.63]
  30. It is fun ripping around in two player mode trying to trash or out pace each other in your favorite ride, which is probably the best time to be had in the game. However, all this can't really justify putting up with the horrible AI ramblings, poor graphics and awkward controls that make this game so frustrating and monotonous at times.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. BrentG.
    10
    This is the ultimate Wii racing game. From the incredible graphics to the fantastic music to the wide variety of race courses and all of the "Car Fu" action, it is our families favorite Wii game from our 5 year old to Dad. The game really brings the car racing concept of the movie to life. This one game made the Wii worth owning and we are still playing it enthusiastically months later. Full Review »
  2. EliIdono
    7
    My friends little bro picked it up, and I have to say, not so bad. It has the I always win easy feel to it and the easy Im better feeling, it is like a fps where you never die, every racing game just is plain hard this tones it down and lets you sit back and actually just play! Full Review »
  3. RockyM.
    8
    Hey this is a must buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hey hey hey i know it comes only a week after kart! but woah (my bad keanu lol) for a game i am sure none of us expected anything from(being a movie tie in and all)wow this game delivers lets call it a combination of f-zero gx burnout with a slight dash of mario kart thrown in, the voice overs from the real actors is fun and a great touch, the car fu is natural once u get the hang, the speed ....well like i said f-zero on the wii comes to mind , the control is really good the soundtrack nice , i cant say enough even if the w bros. jack the movie up at least wb interactive gave us the best speed racer game to date , on a final note on a system that lacks an f-zero or a wave race(to long time nintendo franchises)this is a needed and welcomed arcade addition to the wii, finally a third party racing game not from the big n that is worth the price of admission, o btw the graphics are decent for a wii game no seriously they are lol. Full Review »