Turbo Champions

Turbo Champions is a racing game that embraces the straightforward pleasures of speed, competition, and trying very hard not to turn the car into expensive modern art. The focus is on getting around the course quickly while dealing with corners, opponents, and the limitations of the vehicle. It has the compact feel typical of many racing games from its era, where learning the track and mastering the controls can matter more than choosing from an enormous collection of cars. The graphics are simple by modern standards, but they have a certain period charm that makes the races feel like a snapshot of home-computer gaming. Once you find a rhythm, there is satisfaction in shaving seconds from a lap and finally getting a difficult corner right. It may not reinvent racing, but it understands the appeal of pushing a little faster every time, even when the wall strongly recommends otherwise.