Cars 2: The Video Game

In 2011, Disney and Avalanche studios continued their successful partnership from the Toy Story 3 video game with Cars 2: The Video Game. In Cars 2, you get to enjoy the full Cars experience in a wacky kart style racer. It’s clear that the developers put a lot of thought into this one, and 9 years later, it’s still a fun game to pick up once in a while.

Movie or Game?

Like many video games made from movies, the norm is to rehash the story in another medium for players to experience it once again. Not this time though! Avalanche studios was smart enough to leave the storytelling elements to Disney. In the game, anyone that has seen the movie will get the basic gist of the cars you’ll see, worlds you visit and items in a race.

Cars 2 features a simulation of races and training in a recruitment for Command Headquarters for Recon Operations & Motorized Espionage (C.H.R.O.M.E). Players will quickly realize that this is supposed to be a regular tutorial. Instead, the game presents it as a recruitment simulation for you to join C.H.R.O.M.E.

Kart Racing

In Cars 2, there is a lot of inspiration from the Mario Kart video game franchise. This is great because Mario Kart 64 has figured out the formula for a fun family-friendly racing experience. Items you’ll encounter are as real as you can get with a kiddies rating. So you’ll encounter some wacky looking rocket launchers and machine guns to gain the advantage over opponents.

Cars 2 offers different modes like a capture the flag-style racing set-up, and a hunt for enemies within a huge arena. These modes really diversify the gameplay experience to provide more options than just the typical run-off-the-mill racing game.

The fluid gameplay elements are also present with its fully multiplayer integration for all game modes. Thanks to this, you can play with friends and still earn some XP. In Multiplayer, you’ll have access to up to four player local co-op and online multiplayer. This availability of options can make Cars 2 a family time game, or wreck the kids online type of deal, really whatever rocks your boat.

Lackluster Single Player

The Cars 2 video game is supposed to be a family friendly experience. In other words, something everyone in a household can enjoy. However, in the process of creating a fun experience for everyone, single player is quite lackluster. There aren’t many appealing ways to keep you interested.

The game clearly wasn’t designed for you alone. Beyond that, the game also skimps on its HUD information. Although they provide your current position in a race, you can’t gauge where you are relative to other players.

Lots to Unlock

Cars 2: The Video Game has a lot of stuff for you to use and experience. You can play as characters from the movie and race on its large collection of tracks.

Pros

• Great Multiplayer
• Lots of tracks
• Lots of Characters
• Fun items in races

Cons

• Lackluster Single Player

The adventure continues for Lightning McQueen and the rest of his vehicle pals in Cars 2: The Videogame! Just like in the movie, Cars 2: The Videogame is a family-friendly tale of espionage and racing, with a huge cast of funny characters. In this game, prepare to burn rubber across the world as you become an international spy and use high-tech gadgets to save the day. There are multiple modes, including missions and free racing, which even support four players at once! So grab your friends and get ready for an action-filled adventure with Cars 2: The Videogame!

Main Game Features

• Based on the popular Disney racing movie
• 25 playable characters
• Four player drop-in multiplayer

Story

In Cars 2: The Videogame, Lightning McQueen the race car is back and ready to push his driving skills to the limit in a whole new way. After the first Cars game, Lightning is now an acclaimed vehicle after winning the Piston Cup four times in a row. During the World Grand Prix tour, a villain named Professor Zundapp starts to cause chaos, putting the whole world in jeopardy. To help defeat Zundapp, the British spy car Finn McMissle recruits Lightning and his best friend Mater to become international spies.

For the main missions of the game, you start off in the CHROME training facility, where you complete basic agent training before becoming a true spy. From there, it's off to various missions around the world, including several European countries, and even Lightning's hometown of Radiator Springs. Unfortunately, there are not many cutscenes during the missions, so the story is mostly left to your imagination. However, many of the characters from the movie are available to play as, so all of your favorite cars are here for the race!

Gameplay

Cars 2: The Videogame is not a traditional racing game like the previous titles in the series, but is more like Mario Kart 64 and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. There are several modes to choose from, including CHROME Missions and Free-Play, and both present some action-packed kart racing to enjoy. After choosing your favorite car, you must race to the finish on a variety of international tracks, but you are encouraged to be as destructive as possible. Boost can be earned by slamming into other cars, destroying objects on the track, and picking up gas cans. However, the real fun comes with the weapons and power-ups, which you can grab from item boxes. Power-ups range from boosts and shields to machine guns and explosives, but will always give you a leg up on your opponents.

If you've got some friends to play with, Cars 2: The Videogame supports up to four players simultaneously, so you're easily able to race and battle at any time. Thanks to the drop-in and drop-out options, new players can join and leave an existing race whenever they want, so you don't have to start a brand new race every time a friend joins. As you complete missions, earn trophies, and generally have a good time, you'll also unlock new cars and cosmetics, which you can check out in Garage mode. There's plenty of stuff to keep you playing, especially if you want to unlock all of the extras.

Conclusion

Cars 2: The Videogame is a fun kart racer with cool power-ups, a fun mission mode, and lots of playable characters. Although there is no free roam option, the racing is hectic and fun, with good multiplayer options too.

Pros

• Easy to learn controls
• Good for young players and fans of the movie
• Lots of unlockables and extras

Cons

• Multiplayer is local only
• No free roam like the first game
• Driving feels slippery at times