RC Cars from Whiptail Interactive is a fun little racing game that puts you in control of a remote controlled car racing around a host of different environments. The game offers pretty good graphics, detailed environments, and fun gameplay. However, the game does have a few problems, like a frustratingly unforgiving single player mode and goofy handling. However, all things considered, RC Cars is a fun game that will provide hours of entertaining racing.

RC Cars puts you in control of three different RC Cars: a Bigfoot-style truck, a six-wheeled Hummer, and a racecar. You only begin with access to the Bigfoot truck, and you’ll need to complete levels in order to play with the other two vehicles. The cars each have strengths and weaknesses, and handle quite differently. However, it would’ve been nice to have a bit more variations.

The environments are nice and diverse, however. Throughout the game, you’ll race over many different types of terrain, from beaches to busy roads and so on. And, of course, there are lots of obstacles thrown in your way to prevent you from top placing in races. Since the cars are little RC cars, the obstacles tend to be things like pop cans and other litter, people, and even real cars.

The game also boasts a pretty deep garage mode that allows you to upgrade your racer as you progress through the stages. You can purchase new parts throughout the game, increasing your speed, handling and acceleration as you move on to harder stages.

However, things start to get a little messy with the car handling. While the physics engine is pretty impressive, but the vehicle handling is a little too floaty. Cars will spin out after taking relatively simple turns, which can lead to much frustration. Also, for some reason or other, hitting certain pieces of debris will build up your cars boost gauge while slowing you down at the same time.

Another sore spot of the game is the single player mode, in which you can unlock new levels by buying them. However, unlike many racing titles where you can purchase a track and then go back to it over and over again after only paying once, RC Cars requires you to pay each time you race a certain track. This can be a real pain, as you’ll probably end up spending all of your money on one lousy track.

The graphics are quite impressive. The cars have a lot of shine to them and bounce realistically, and look pretty good overall. The environments are very nice, with tons of great details and great-looking textures. The framerates are also quick and smooth, giving the game a good sense of speed.

The sounds are fairly simplistic, but they do their job. The car sounds are a little irritating, and the weird soundtrack (composed of a strange mix of techno and 80’s guitar riffs) may have you muting the sound all together.

RC Cars does fall prey to a few nasty little problems, although the nice gameplay and entertaining environments make the game a lot of fun. The end result is still a pretty good game at a great price.

Gameplay: 7.5
The gameplay is a lot of fun. The environments are big and interactive, adding a lot to the gameplay dynamic, and the pace of the races is challenging and engaging. However, the handling is a little too unforgiving, and the unlocking of races tracks is a chore since you’ll have to pay for tracks each time you play.

Graphics: 8.5
The graphics are very impressive. The cars are well rendered and have a nice shine to them, and the environments are nicely detailed and have great textures. The framerates are also fast and smooth even of lower-end PCs.

Sound: 5.5
The sound is pretty simplistic. The car sounds can be a little grating, and the bizarre mix of music can be a little annoying.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 7.5
RC Cars pays a lot of attention to detail, with very meticulous stages and lots of neat obstacles, although some of the gameplay decisions may be a little questionable.

Multiplayer: 7.5
RC Cars has pretty meaty multiplayer options. The game offers a two-player split screen mode and internet play for up to six players.

Overall: 7.5
RC Cars offers up a nice platter of fun gameplay and great graphics for a very low price. The game does have a few problems, like unforgiving handling and some pretty frustrating single player elements. However, the game is entertaining overall and should provide hours of good racing.