Crazy Frog Racer (Game)

Cover art

Crazy Frog Racer is a racing video game developed by Neko Entertainment and published by Digital Jesters, released November 21, 2005 for PC and PlayStation 2. The game was only released in European and Australian markets. It was the first game in the Crazy Frog Racer series.

The game features Crazy Frog and a new cast of characters introduced in this game racing in 12 tracks in a setting similar to the one featured in Axel F.

Development

On June 14, 2005, Wallaroo Licensing Company, representing Erik Wernquist, announced an opening for the license to Crazy Frog in the electronic entertainment market.

Crazy Frog Racer seems to have begun development shortly after July 1, 2005, after Digital Jesters acquired the license from Wallaroo. Leo Zullo, marketing director and co-founder of Digital Jesters, hinted at expanding the Crazy Frog universe with new characters, stating:

"We're working with Wallaroo to develop our own intellectual property within the Crazy Frog universe, capitalizing on the colossal success of the ubiquitous character. We've continually hinted that big things were just around the corner at Digital Jesters, and they don't get much bigger than this."

The game was set to launch in November 2005, four months after the licensing agreement. The game would launch in Europe for £19.99 (€29.99), with a worldwide release planned for Quarter 1, 2006 (this never happened).

Around October 18, 2005, a website for the game, CrazyFrogGame.com was launched. This website featured in-game screenshots and downloadable content such as wallpapers. A forum was supposedly also launched within the website for fans to "discuss tactics, strategy and all things Annoying in the run up to launch and beyond." The price was elaborated on further, being £/€19.99 for the PlayStation 2 version, and £/€14.99 for the PC version.

On October 21, 2005, it was announced that Ubisoft had signed a deal with Digital Jesters to distribute Crazy Frog Racer in the UK, Benelux, Australia, New Zealand, and export territories.

On November 17, 2005, the game had gone gold and was set to begin distribution in early December 2005.

PLAYING MODES

CHAMPIONSHIP

Confront your competitors or friends in 3 championships comprised of 4 different circuits, either in Single player or Multiplayer. At the end of each race, participants receive a number of points based on the order in which they finish. The driver who has scored the most points by the end of the end of the last race wins the championship. In Single player mode only: In the modes, the player can unlock the “Funny Cup” championship after winning the “Baby Cup” championship.

SINGLE RACE

You can choose from 12 different courses to challenge your competitors or friends in frantic races! This mode is available in both Single player and Multiplayer!

CHASE RACE

Right from the start, the player is being pursued by Drone. The player must survive as long as possible on the circuit before his energy gauge runs out. Chase race ends when the energy bar is completely depleted.

TIME TRIALS

In Single player mode only. It allows you to test your talents in driving alone. No opponents and no bonuses. Time is your only enemy! Try to beat the records on all of the game circuits!

BATTLE

In this mode, which is for Multiplayer only, confront your friends in arenas. The rules are simple: the last one alive on the track wins! Each player starts with three lives. Bonuses are dispersed throughout each arena, enabling you to set traps for your opponents or to attack them. You have 3 arenas in which to demonstrate who is the best and most skillful!

BONUSES

Bonuses are available and can be used in all playing modes except time trials (single player only). They all work on a “monetary” system so they can be bought and used. The player must accumulate credit during the race to be able to unlock the bonuses.

THE CREDITS TO COLLECT

They are distributed along the track. They reappear during the race. You can accumulate them and use them to purchase weapons. 1 coin = 500 credits.

ARMOR BONUSES

This bonus gives you 1 armor point. It is placed randomly along the route, just as credit points are. It cannot be bought. Each player has a different number of armor points: • Each time the player is touched by a trap or a weapon or gets off track, armor points are lost. • If the armor points reach zero, the player’s vehicle explodes and he/she cannot continue until the next circuit.

BONUSES TO PICK UP (POWER UP)

Power Ups can be used by all of the game’s main characters. There are 7 types.

1. Fixed Traps

These are metal spheres that look identical until they are deployed, after which they can be distinguished from one another. There are 3 types of spheres: Bored sphere, Two-slit sphere, and Made-up sphere.

• BORED SPHERES

It has many holes: when a vehicle approaches, spikes come out of the holes. It remains active throughout the race and disappears when someone touches it. To be touched, a vehicle must pass near it.

• TWO-SLIT SPHERES

The upper part of the ball can rotate, and it has 2 horizontal slots where two blades come out and swirl round. It remains active throughout the race and disappears when a player touches it. To be touched, a vehicle must come rather near it.

• MADE-UP SPHERE

This sphere has two parts. The two halves split several yards apart and form a magnetic field that cuts across part of the track. It remains active throughout the race and disappears when a player touches it. To be touched, a vehicle must pass between the two demi-spheres.

2. Mines

They resemble underwater mines. The cheap versions are very unpredictable. Attention! For all mines, remember: • If the vehicle is close to the explosion, it loses an armor point.

• If it is several yards away, it is shaken by the shockwaves and loses a certain percentage of speed.

• DIGITAL MINE

It has a variable timer. Each time a vehicle passes, the timer counts down by one increment. When the timer reaches zero, the mine explodes!

• TIME BOMBS

It has a timer (a series of 10 illuminated points that form a circle). At the start, 5 to 10 point sare lit up at random. Each tenth of a second, a light goes out. At zero, the bomb explodes.

• LASER MINE

It has a red light that blinks slowly. The instant a vehicle approaches, the light’s blinking accelerates to full speed and the mine explodes.

3. Missiles

• Forwards: A succession of 3 missiles is fired in bursts. • Backwards: 3 illuminated projectiles are fanned out in front of the vehicle.

4. Laser beam

This is a laser beam that is fired ahead. When the vehicle moves, the beam stays on it. When the player starts it up, a slight time lapse occurs.

5. Mortar

It is launched in a bell-shaped trajectory and can only hit a target at least 10 yards ahead and up to a distance of 30 yards. The projectile automatically targets the component, if the component is in the target zone.

6. Shield

The shield protects the vehicles from the salvo of missiles and laser beams for a certain amount of time.

7. Boost

The boost enables the player to accelerate the vehicle for 5 seconds.

Characters

• The Annoying Thing
• Jack
• Ellie
• Matilda (Unlockable)
• Flash
• Grim
• Drone
• Michel
• Bobo

Trivia

• Game ported on many platforms, but most closest one is DS port
• Matilda The Cow is the unlockable character. She unlocks when player

Gallery

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  Official boxart of russian release by 'Noviy Disk'.