Video Game Review - Moto Roader MC

Rob reviews Moto Roader MC on Nintendo Switch...

Originally released on the TurboGrafx-CD back in 1992, Moto Roader MC never made its way to Western markets. Thankfully this is about to change as Ratalaika Games has carried the game over to the Nintendo Switch. And what better time too, as Moto Roader MC is also commemorating its 30th anniversary! 

Moto Roader MC is an arcade racer that's played via a top-down perspective. Throughout the game, players will race against the AI across numerous circuits while utilising various projectiles to their advantage. It's a madcap racer that's certainly a trip into gaming's past but is it worth playing in 2022? 

To be fair, Moto Roader MC still has a lot going for it. Its presentation still holds up to modern standards and the single-player experience - whilst lacking substance - is relatively entertaining. The real value here is during multiplayer races. Supporting up to four players, Moto Roader MC is a wonderful, friendship obliterating party title. Each player controls their own vehicle in a mad dash to the finish line. 

What makes things more interesting is when you factor in the games awkward controls. While simple to learn the control scheme can be extremely hard to master. The smallest movement can cause your vehicle to suddenly crash into walls, other players, or just go round in loops. It can make for a frustrating experience, but for multiple players - it works incredibly well. Quite often you'll be winning a race to unexpectedly be heading in the wrong direction or to be slithering along the edge of the track. Because of this Moto Roader, MC makes for quite the thrilling multiplayer experience that should its place on anyone's party playlist. 

It's also worth noting that there isn't any support for online play, or playing across multiple Switch consoles. But in my opinion, playing via an OG Switch in docked mode negates this need. 

Moto Roader MC comes with a variety of tracks that take place across different locals. It often feels like the tracks play into the twitchy controls by featuring plenty of corners and very tight angles. For those looking for more, the games 'Omake' mode offers a few racing centric mini-games. One of which is a Rocket League style 2 vs 2 games of football. Again, it all makes for a great party game, but not so fun for a single player. 

Much like other ports by Ratalaika Games, there's also an abundance of various filters and graphic modes to choose from. For those looking for that authentic arcade experience, you'll be able to simulate a CRT screen, as well as add various border graphics, or even the screens size. 

The rewind feature from Ratalaika's other ports is here too, but its inclusion feels a little pointless considering the nature of the game.

For the solo player, the game is incredibly lacking. Whilst its championship mode adds some playability it's not something that you'll return to time and time again. The Omake mode attempts to add substance to the game, but the lack of a Vs. AI makes it pointless for the solo player. 

Where Moto Roader MC shines is within its multiplayer mode. Get a few friends in the same room and you've got quite the friendship test in front of you!

Rating 6/10

A code was kindly provided for this review

Moto Roader MC is available now and can be purchased via the Nintendo Switch eShop by clicking here.

Enjoyed this review? Want to support my blog further? There’s no pressure of course, but every little helps to keep the blog running. If you want to support the blog, you can do so by heading over to Ko-Fi.com/GeekCultureRev. Any donations are greatly appreciated, but so is the fact that you took the time to read my work! Thank you!

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev