Mickey's Speedway USA

The story for this game goes something along the lines of this: the weasels have stolen Pluto's diamond necklace and it's up to you to get it back! Quite frankly though - who cares? It's a Disney karting game from Rare so if that doesn't get you excited then nothing will! Surely Mario Kart can feel the impending doom as Mickey's Speedway USA rounds the corner.

As the title suggests this game is set in the good old United States of America. Of the five grand prix circuits on offer in the game each one is set in a different part of the US, for example, one of the tracks takes in the Grand Canyon. Like Mario Kart and Diddy Kong Racing the emphasis in this game is very much on having fun. The courses are littered with power ups and yes, you will be able to scupper your mates with projectile weapons in a four-player bout! Mickey's Speedway USA isn't due out over here until November but it's definitely going to be worth the wait.

First impressions

Another Rare classic? Well kind of... but the one thing that hits you in the face as soon as you start playing is that this is basically Diddy Kong Racing with different graphics and a few tweaks. Having said that it's also fast, fun and a good challenge. We jumped straight in at the start racing as good old Mickey Mouse himself. The Disney graphics and sound effects really boost what is already a very playable game and take it to another level. If you're a cartoon racing game fan - it doesn't come much better than this - start getting excited now!

just what the N64 needs-another Mario Kart-like racing game. This one, created by Rare, follows the same action-adventure formula used in Diddy Kong Racing, their previous kart venture. The cast of characters is different, obviously--this time you choose from Disney mascots like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy to race on 15 different tracks. This me-too racing game will probably arrive in the fall.