Square announces Karsh Team Racing

[04.01.00] » Popular Chrono Cross villain gets own mascot racer.

   Square unveiled Karsh Team Racing at the Tokyo Game Show today. The second in Square's line of mascot racers after Chocobo Racing, the new title will feature minor Chrono Cross villain Karsh in a starring role. The rest of the game will also draw from Chrono Cross; various Chrono Cross characters and locations will comprise the

   A total of eight different characters can be selected. In addition to Karsh himself, Serge, Yamaneko, Janice, Star Child, Tumalu, Glenn, and Tukoyumi can all be selected. Each character rides his or her own personal vehicle -- for example, Karsh rides a dragon, while Star Child pilots his UFO. Six courses are available: Lucky Dan's Voodoo Jungle, Telmina Village, the Hydra Swamp, Yamaneko's Manor, Kinoko's Mushroom Patch, and the Obligatory Ice Course. Once these tracks are completed in "Home" mode, new parallel-universe "Another" (mirror mode) versions of them become available.

   As with any good cartoon racer, a large selection of extremely powerful weapons will be available to ensure that players do not need any driving ability to complete the game. In Karsh Team Racing, players can pick up Elements scattered about the track and use their magical powers to knock even a skilled player into last place.

   "The mascot racing genre has produced some of video gaming's finest titles," Square explained in a press release. "From Austin Powers: Mojo Rally and Megaman Battle & Chase to South Park Rally and Star Wars: Episode I Racer, mascot-based racing games have always been on top of consumers' favorites lists. We're sure there's room in the market for Karsh Team Racing, a game which we're confident that gamers will one day hold in as high a regard as Bomberman Fantasy Racing."