We first reported on the new Street Racer Collection back in October. The game has now been released by publisher QUByte Interactive, and we’ve had a chance to play through the first couple of hours. Street Racer Collection is out on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, priced from $16.99 depending on the platform. The collection includes four versions of the original game on Genesis, SNES, GameBoy, and PC DOS. Keen retro gamers will immediately notice that the original PlayStation and Saturn versions have been omitted.
We feel that this must mean that QUByte Interactive intends to release a second collection, as other versions, such as the Amiga port, are also missing in this collection. What we do have in Street Racer Collection is the earliest versions of the game, and it’s fascinating seeing just how different each title is. Along with the four emulated games, there is a batch of archival documents, such as artwork and design images, that help to bulk out the overall package as well as give a glimpse into the history of the game.
We can argue which is the best version of the game, but the most impressive is certainly the DOS port that really pops off the screen and is closest to the definitive Saturn and PlayStation versions. The Genesis and SNES games are also quite different, given the differences between the visual hardware, as well as the different sound chips. The GameBoy port is really awful if truth be told, some games just don’t age well, but it’s interesting to try out for prosperity.
All of the games in Street Racer Collection are meticulously emulated; at no point did we feel any slowdown or quirks. There are also some interesting options, such as CRT filters and aspect ratios to play with. And for those who may be struggling to win races, there are cheat menus that add extras such as infinite boost or easier handling. You can see the level of detail that has gone into the collection, and for retro racing fans, this does feel like a good value package.
How much longevity there is really does depend on how much you enjoyed Street Racer the first time round. While the DOS version is a great inclusion, the Saturn one is the best overall and is a miss here. Not many will want to stick out the GameBoy port, and the 16-bit titles are average at best, especially when you see how good the PC port is. This is where it becomes difficult to know who this collection is aimed at.
Overall, Street Racer Collection is a well-made package, with lots of extras and brilliant emulation. Fans of the earlier ports will love driving around memory lane. Those who have memories of the 32-bit versions may find some love in the DOS version, but even that doesn’t feel as good as the Saturn and PlayStation ports. That is really where we sit; this will appeal to one of two audiences, depending on their memories of this great game.
