Monaco Grand Prix

We've gotten the latest version -- and it rocks! Check out these QT3 movies to see MGP in action.

March 26, 1999

The company behind the N64's very first F-1 racer is already in the works with another one -- but instead of a follow-up to the disappointing F1 Pole Position, Ubi Soft is bringing the sequel to its PC hit F1 Racing Simulation to Nintendo 64: Monaco Grand Prix.

In case you're wondering what it's all about, the Monaco GP track is the toughest F1 track out there, with narrow streets winding through beautiful Monte Carlo spanning a total distance of 305 kilometers. Organized by the Automobile Club of Monaco since 1929, the circuit race used to form a loop that linked Monte Carlo, the harbor and Monaco. The track was 3.18 km long and more or less stayed that way until 1952 -- when it was made a whole lot more difficult. It's now 3.367 kms long, with new chicanes and loops and the drivers are racing in excess of 270kph to finish 78 laps in just under two hours.

It's fitting then that Ubi bills Monaco Grand Prix as the "hardest racing simulation" ever released for a console system. Designed in the spirit of the actual auto-racing event held in the streets of Monte Carlo, the game tries to accurately duplicate the all-yearly test of personal skill over machinery.

Although Monaco GP won't boast all the official tracks and drivers as Nintendo/Paradigm's F-1 World Grand Prix, Ubi is working hard to deliver not only the official Monte Carlo race, but also 16 internationally recognized tracks, based on the real ones.

Features
16 international professional tracks 22 cars on screen at the same time Three levels of difficulty Arcade and sim control option. Customizable car configurations EEPROM saves configs, driver stats to cart. Two-player split-screen races Rumble Pak and Controller Pak compatible

Unlike most other N64 racers, Monaco GP also features full car customization. Players can adjust wings, suspension, tyres, steering, brakes, body height, gearbox, and fuel level to their liking. Along with the weather conditions and the personal stats of the chosen team and driver, the settings directly influence the vehicle handling and play an important part in the ultimate outcome of the races. You can adjust these options using easy-to-understand menus and the effects of the changes are shown on the fly in an on-screen car performance menu.

On the graphics side, Ubi is determined to match and beat Paradigm's World Grand Prix, which dazzled N64 owners with impressive graphics effects and a number of outstanding camera views:

• 3D vehicles and detailed tracks.
• Multiple and realistic damage effects, including car parts that fly off like shrapnel and tyre loss.
• Weather effects: rain, water puddles, tyre particles, smoke, sparks from ground contact, spray, etc.
• Road condition effects: oil and water, skid marks, shrapnel.
• Five camera views, including a rear-view (mirror) and in-cockpit view with working instruments.
• All the flags and consequences of professional auto racing (yellow flags, green flags, etc.)
• Ability to manage pit strategies based on weather reports, track types and race length.

Graphically, the game looks a lot like Paradigm/Video System's title, but Ubi Soft managed to get their game to run at higher framerates and added a number of interesting effects. For example, driving over dirt will cause your tyres to get dirty and kicks up clouds of dust (or mud), whereas grass patches will color the wheels green. Both will wear off after a while, just like in real life.

Outlook
It's good to see that Ubi is dedicated to delivering the best auto racer on the console instead of quickly slapping together a follow-up to Pole Position. We've gotten the latest version of Monaco Grand Prix -- and it's excellent. The options and modes are all there and the physics model and control feel actually more natural than Paradigm's. The tracks are detailed, the framerates are very good for a game with 22 cars and no fog and everything sounds just like the real thing. Since the game doesn't have the real drivers' names, Ubi Soft also implemented an option to let you change their names -- and save everything to the cartridge. Racing fans should definitely put some money aside for this promising title.

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