Burger King Games Wrap-Up (gamespy)
- gamespy -
In one of the most brilliant marketing moves of all time -- eat that, Kool-Aid Man! -- Burger King has teamed with Blitz Games to put out three unique video games. Only $3.99 each with a value meal purchase, available from now until De
cember 24, they're compatible with both Xbox and Xbox 360. Now, these aren't just quick, one-off mini-game snippets, mind you. No, these are full-fledged titles with their own list of achievements (200 points each), varying modes and game types, and multiplayer locally and over Xbox Live on two of the three. We look at all three games in this tasty wrap-up to help you decide which you'll want to have your way with.
Pocketbike Racer
We'll start with arguably the best one first. Pocketbike Racer is by all accounts a pretty standard kart game. The difference is its BK slant. Play as The King, Subservient Chicken, Whopper Jr., model/actress Brooke Burke, or a few more normal individuals. Yes, they're corporate shills, but they're loveable corporate shills. There is a selection of bikes as well, each with its own stats.
Pocketbike Racer has five tracks, and all of them are unique. The BK Parking Lot is the first and easiest, but even it has ample twists and turns. Backyard is long and winding, while Under Construction has you driving on several floors. King's Garden and Fantasy Ranch up the surrealism factor. Borders are at a minimum, and you'll find both shortcuts and dead ends.
The control is par for the kart course: power-slides, speed-boost stars, and gradual power-ups. Multiplayer is plentiful, with some great split-screen and Xbox Live play. Aside from the wackiness factor, it doesn't stand out too much from the action/racing pack, but the small price and goofy roster make Pocketbike Racer the best of the BK bunch.
Final Score: 3.5 Stars
Sneak King
While most game characters use stealth to remove the guts of unsuspecting victims, The King just wants to fill their guts with "delicious" Burger King food! Borrowing more than a few of Metal Gear Solid's elements, Sneak King is the trio's single-player-only affair.
The King finds himself in a variety of locations, surrounded by NPCs. For no real reason, he doesn't want to be spotted by them as he delivers the gift of fast food. This isn't too big of a deal, as they're as blind as moles -- as shown by their tiny vision cones. Random characters will start to feel hunger pangs, and it's up to you to keep them from passing out.
The King is a man of pageantry and flair. A golf-swing meter shows up during deliveries, and the higher you click, the more elaborate his methods are. Feedings are judged on distance, hunger level, and combo chain. While challenges vary a bit, you'll want to amass as large a point total as possible.
Touch-sensitive hiding spots will get you out of a jam, and it's even more ridiculous seeing The King's big head sticking out of a large crate. The HUD radar shows potential targets, and you can switch to first-person view for an inside-the-mask look at your surroundings. The game features a little more waiting around than you'll be comfortable with, but it's a novel concept that will last past the feeling you've gotten your money's worth. Just don't be surprised if it makes you crave a Croissan'wich.
Final Score: 3 Stars
Big Bumpin'
This plays like a drawn-out mini-game from Mario Party or Fuzion Frenzy. Big Bumpin' is essentially bumper cars in a ton of different ways. With the same characters as Pocketbike Racer and an equal number of courses, it will also remind players of the old Super Sprint arcade racer.
Your bumper car handles a little differently than you'd imagine: All you have to do is use the left stick to maneuver. Add a button for boost, and that's it. Most game types are equally simple: pass a time bomb around, be the last car standing, or play two-on-two hockey. Each one is worth checking out, but grows stale pretty fast.
Single-player tries to have some legs by offering tournament play. However, you need to win to unlock more tourneys, and the AI always seeks you out. That makes multiplayer the way to go, and it's definitely fun for groups of four. Online play goes off without a hitch, too.
Big Bumpin' wears thin faster than the other two titles, and is ironically the one least tied in with the Burger King subject matter. If you and your friends find yourself with the munchies one night, pick it up at the drive-thru and have a few hours of bumpin' fun.
In one of the most brilliant marketing moves of all time -- eat that, Kool-Aid Man! -- Burger King has teamed with Blitz Games to put out three unique video games. Only $3.99 each with a value meal purchase, available from now until De
cember 24, they're compatible with both Xbox and Xbox 360. Now, these aren't just quick, one-off mini-game snippets, mind you. No, these are full-fledged titles with their own list of achievements (200 points each), varying modes and game types, and multiplayer locally and over Xbox Live on two of the three. We look at all three games in this tasty wrap-up to help you decide which you'll want to have your way with.Pocketbike Racer
We'll start with arguably the best one first. Pocketbike Racer is by all accounts a pretty standard kart game. The difference is its BK slant. Play as The King, Subservient Chicken, Whopper Jr., model/actress Brooke Burke, or a few more normal individuals. Yes, they're corporate shills, but they're loveable corporate shills. There is a selection of bikes as well, each with its own stats.
Pocketbike Racer has five tracks, and all of them are unique. The BK Parking Lot is the first and easiest, but even it has ample twists and turns. Backyard is long and winding, while Under Construction has you driving on several floors. King's Garden and Fantasy Ranch up the surrealism factor. Borders are at a minimum, and you'll find both shortcuts and dead ends.
The control is par for the kart course: power-slides, speed-boost stars, and gradual power-ups. Multiplayer is plentiful, with some great split-screen and Xbox Live play. Aside from the wackiness factor, it doesn't stand out too much from the action/racing pack, but the small price and goofy roster make Pocketbike Racer the best of the BK bunch.
Final Score: 3.5 Stars
Sneak King
While most game characters use stealth to remove the guts of unsuspecting victims, The King just wants to fill their guts with "delicious" Burger King food! Borrowing more than a few of Metal Gear Solid's elements, Sneak King is the trio's single-player-only affair.
The King finds himself in a variety of locations, surrounded by NPCs. For no real reason, he doesn't want to be spotted by them as he delivers the gift of fast food. This isn't too big of a deal, as they're as blind as moles -- as shown by their tiny vision cones. Random characters will start to feel hunger pangs, and it's up to you to keep them from passing out.
The King is a man of pageantry and flair. A golf-swing meter shows up during deliveries, and the higher you click, the more elaborate his methods are. Feedings are judged on distance, hunger level, and combo chain. While challenges vary a bit, you'll want to amass as large a point total as possible.
Touch-sensitive hiding spots will get you out of a jam, and it's even more ridiculous seeing The King's big head sticking out of a large crate. The HUD radar shows potential targets, and you can switch to first-person view for an inside-the-mask look at your surroundings. The game features a little more waiting around than you'll be comfortable with, but it's a novel concept that will last past the feeling you've gotten your money's worth. Just don't be surprised if it makes you crave a Croissan'wich.
Final Score: 3 Stars
Big Bumpin'
This plays like a drawn-out mini-game from Mario Party or Fuzion Frenzy. Big Bumpin' is essentially bumper cars in a ton of different ways. With the same characters as Pocketbike Racer and an equal number of courses, it will also remind players of the old Super Sprint arcade racer.
Your bumper car handles a little differently than you'd imagine: All you have to do is use the left stick to maneuver. Add a button for boost, and that's it. Most game types are equally simple: pass a time bomb around, be the last car standing, or play two-on-two hockey. Each one is worth checking out, but grows stale pretty fast.
Single-player tries to have some legs by offering tournament play. However, you need to win to unlock more tourneys, and the AI always seeks you out. That makes multiplayer the way to go, and it's definitely fun for groups of four. Online play goes off without a hitch, too.
Big Bumpin' wears thin faster than the other two titles, and is ironically the one least tied in with the Burger King subject matter. If you and your friends find yourself with the munchies one night, pick it up at the drive-thru and have a few hours of bumpin' fun.
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