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  1. Games
  2. Racing

Table Top Racing on Vita is just like Micro Machines. Good

Features
By Justin Towell published 14 April 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

It's a pocket rocket. Eh? Eh?

It's a pocket rocket. Eh? Eh?

Remember Micro Machines? This is pretty much what that game would look like if it were released today. On PS Vita. Table Top Racing has already been released on phones, but its making the leap to Vita soon. It fits the handheld very well, echoing Motorstorm RC with its compulsive, 'must-get-all-the-stars' structure.

The default camera is the customary chase view, which stays directly behind your vehicle as you race through breakfast and office items, which tower over you. But you can also change the viewpoint to a micro Machines V3-style isometric-angled camera. The action is 3D, but you wont be able to see upcoming corners as easily, so a knowledge of the track is pretty essential if you want to use that one seriously.

The game's developer, Playrise, is headed by WipEout's lead designer, Nick Burcombe. While the action isnt as immediately spectacular WipEout, they share some sensibilities, with weapon pick-ups on the track and EMP blasts, rockets and speed-up boosts all available to help you get ahead.

Single-player sees you earning money to upgrade your vehicle and unlock new cars as you go. Events are not restricted to straight races, with Time Attack laps and cat/mouse games to play too. You can earn up to three stars in every event, which you can exchange for vehicle upgrades and new cars. The game is still being balanced, so while its quite easy to bag all three stars at present, that may not be the case for the final game.

Multiplayer is restricted to real opponents only (so no bots) but is lag-free in local link-up play, which I tried. Table Top Racing is undoubtedly better with four players scrapping for the win, but it's still perfectly enjoyable in two-player (even if it does feel a bit lonely with just the two of you competing). In all, this is a neat little racer and should go some way to filling the eternal Micro Machines-shaped hole in our lives when it hits Vita this summer.

Click on through for more screens and information.

Page 1 of 15
Page 1 of 15
Electricity blasts slow racers in the immediate vicinity

Electricity blasts slow racers in the immediate vicinity

Page 2 of 15
Page 2 of 15
You start off in larger, cumbersome vehicles, but soon unlock real racers

You start off in larger, cumbersome vehicles, but soon unlock real racers

Page 3 of 15
Page 3 of 15
The over-sized environments look lovely on the OLED screen

The over-sized environments look lovely on the OLED screen

Page 4 of 15
Page 4 of 15
Obviously, coming anywhere other than first is total failure

Obviously, coming anywhere other than first is total failure

Page 5 of 15
Page 5 of 15
The special effects aren't spectacular, but look slick all the same

The special effects aren't spectacular, but look slick all the same

Page 6 of 15
Page 6 of 15
Upgrades can't be chosen, instead unlocking in sequence as you spend cash

Upgrades can't be chosen, instead unlocking in sequence as you spend cash

Page 7 of 15
Page 7 of 15
The game is currently free-to-play with microtransactions on iOS

The game is currently free-to-play with microtransactions on iOS

Page 8 of 15
Page 8 of 15
...but the Vita version will be a one-off purchase only

...but the Vita version will be a one-off purchase only

Page 9 of 15
Page 9 of 15
Driving towards the screen can happen with the alternative camera

Driving towards the screen can happen with the alternative camera

Page 10 of 15
Page 10 of 15
The early races I played didn't feature moving hazards

The early races I played didn't feature moving hazards

Page 11 of 15
Page 11 of 15
The car handling has just the right amount of drift to be challenging

The car handling has just the right amount of drift to be challenging

Page 12 of 15
Page 12 of 15
The racing is often close like this

The racing is often close like this

Page 13 of 15
Page 13 of 15
Shortcuts can be taken, but they carry a much greater risk

Shortcuts can be taken, but they carry a much greater risk

Page 14 of 15
Page 14 of 15
What's in the crates? WEAPONS! Get on it

What's in the crates? WEAPONS! Get on it

Page 15 of 15
Page 15 of 15
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Justin Towell
Justin Towell
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Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.

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