SG Racing is a new isometric pixel art racing title from developer Beastflaps coming soon to Steam. While we await confirmation of the release date, the developer has invited us to try out the demo currently available for download. SG Racing, the SG being short for silly goose, is a retro-inspired arcade racer that mashes together Mario Kart, Micro Machines, and a little bit of Super Off Road. The demo gives you access to a six-track Grand Prix, and then a handful of extra modes played out on the same tracks.
We had the choice of several drivers all resembling a cartoon animal of some kind, each with their own pros and cons. We simply had to choose Silly Goose and began the first race. Controlling the kart in SG Racing is exactly what you would expect from a single-screen racing title, with light touches to the left and right to angle the vehicle being the best way to win. From the Grand Prix we played, each track was easy to win, but we could see how the difficulty could start to spike with more technical tracks and aggressive opponents.
The other aspect that decides the outcome of the race is the power-ups that appear randomly, just as in Mario Kart. The power-ups range from a simple potato that acts like a shell, the classic lightning that strikes every other player, laying an egg that acts like an oil slick, and a super power that gives you a speed boost. The power-ups were fun to use and, if used tactically, can bring a big advantage. There are also boosts placed around to give you that extra advantage for time trials.
SG Racing feels like a fun arcade racer that doesn’t take itself seriously and aims to provide a straightforward experience without any frills. The handling, presentation, and gameplay features are all very retro and add up to make a decent racer that will certainly be a joy for those who remember simply times when racers were just fun. We look forward to playing the full game and bringing you our thoughts.
