Speed Kings
{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{other uses|Speed King (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Speed Kings
| image = Speedkings.jpg
| developer = Climax London
| publisher = Acclaim Entertainment
| platforms = GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
| released = GameCube & PlayStation 2{{vgrelease|NA|28 May 2003{{cite web |last=Cove |first=Glen |date=28 May 2003 |url=http://www.acclaim.com/company/pressReleases/product/SpeedKingsShips.html |title=Speed Kings Ships |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803182219/http://www.acclaim.com/company/pressReleases/product/SpeedKingsShips.html |archive-date=3 August 2004 |url-status=dead}}|EU|4 July 2003}}Xbox{{vgrelease|NA|3 June 2003|EU|4 July 2003}}
| genre = Racing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Speed Kings is a racing video game developed by Climax London and published by Acclaim Entertainment for GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
Gameplay
Speed Kings is an arcade-style motorcycle racing game. There are three single-player modes in Speed Kings and five multiplayer options. There are 22 bikes featured in the game based on real-world bike models. The gear and game equipment is authentic as well and is sponsored by Shoei and Alpinestars. Additionally, it includes hidden features based on rewards that can be unlocked during gameplay.{{cite web|author=IGN staff|title=Speed Kings Hands-on|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/10/speed-kings-hands-on|website=IGN|date=10 April 2003|accessdate=28 November 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132921/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/10/speed-kings-hands-on|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Alex Navarro|title=Speed Kings E3 2003 Preshow Report|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/speed-kings-e3-2003-preshow-report/1100-6026662/|website=GameSpot|date=14 May 2003|access-date=24 May 2023|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625075453/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/speed-kings-e3-2003-preshow-report/1100-6026662/|url-status=live}}
The game features racing through traffic-filled streets with multiple tricks, stunts, combat, and dangerous speeds. The street environments also feature moving traffic and destructible objects and the game supports a full deformation system, which illustrates real-time damage to the bike.
{{clear}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| NGC = true
| PS2 = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| Edge_NGC = 6/10{{cite magazine|author=Edge staff|title=Speed Kings|magazine=Edge|issue=125|date=July 2003}}
| EGM_NGC = 5.5/10{{cite magazine|author=EGM staff|title=Speed Kings (GC)|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=170|date=August 2003|page=122}}
| GI_NGC = 7/10{{cite magazine|title=Speed Kings (GC)|magazine=Game Informer|issue=123|date=July 2003|page=110}}
| GamePro_XBOX = {{Rating|1.5|5}}{{cite magazine|author=Dan Elektro|title=Speed Kings Review for Xbox on GamePro.com|url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/29407.shtml|magazine=GamePro|date=21 May 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208012056/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/29407.shtml|archive-date=8 February 2005|url-status=dead|access-date=28 November 2014}}
| NP_NGC = 3.7/5{{cite magazine|title=Speed Kings|magazine=Nintendo Power|volume=171|date=September 2003|page=136}}
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|author=John Davison|title=Speed Kings|url=http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1494445,00.asp|magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine|date=July 2003|page=97|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040329070810/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1494445,00.asp|archive-date=29 March 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=28 November 2014}}
| OXM_XBOX = 5.8/10{{cite magazine|title=Speed Kings|magazine=Official Xbox Magazine|date=September 2003|page=81}}
| rev1 = The Village Voice
| rev1_NGC = 6/10{{cite news|author=Nick Catucci|title=Macho Men|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/macho-men-6410135|newspaper=The Village Voice|date=17 June 2003|accessdate=28 November 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082540/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/macho-men-6410135|url-status=live}}
| GR_NGC = 63.60%{{cite web|title=Speed Kings for GameCube|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/589522-speed-kings/index.html|publisher=GameRankings|accessdate=28 November 2014|archive-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013205741/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/589522-speed-kings/index.html|url-status=live}}
| MC_NGC = 61/100{{cite web|title=Speed Kings (cube:2003): Reviews|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/speedkings|website=Metacritic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913103831/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/speedkings|archive-date=13 September 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=28 November 2014}}
}}
Speed Kings was met with mixed reception. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 65% and 60 out of 100 for the Xbox version; 64% and 61 out of 100 for the GameCube version; and 62% and 61 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version.
GameSpot described the game as "a fairly traditional arcade motorcycle racing game with some unconventional gameplay elements." They also stated that the visual effects of the game "looks good" and the audio "has a decent array of sound effects and music."{{cite web|author=Ryan MacDonald|title=Speed Kings Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/speed-kings-review/1900-6029024/|website=GameSpot|date=27 May 2003|access-date=24 May 2023|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531090700/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/speed-kings-review/1900-6029024/|url-status=live}} The publication later named it the best PlayStation 2 game of May 2003.{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040408213549/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/060103/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/060103/index.html | title=GameSpot{{'}}s Month in Review: May 2003 | author=((The Editors of GameSpot)) | work=GameSpot | date=June 1, 2003 | archivedate=April 8, 2004 | url-status=dead }} IGN said, "We wouldn't exactly crown Acclaim's motorcycle racer as videogame royalty."{{cite web|author=Cory D. Lewis|title=Speed Kings|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/29/speed-kings|website=IGN|date=28 May 2003|accessdate=28 November 2014|archive-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008083941/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/29/speed-kings|url-status=live}} Eurogamer complained that the textures were "bland and blurry" and the scenery leaves no "lasting impression". But the bikes and riders are "suitably detailed" and "the crashes look sufficiently bone-shattering." Eurogamer said it "isn't a terrible game - it's just that it's so easily ignored."{{cite web|author=Tom Bramwell|title=Speed Kings (PS2)|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_speedkings_ps2|website=Eurogamer|date=27 June 2003|access-date=24 May 2023|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015020130/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_speedkings_ps2|url-status=live}}
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References
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