LGR - Wacky Wheels - DOS PC Game Review

[@JoeSiegler]

Yes, that was the first Dopefish cameo outside of a Keen game. Andy & I made it hard to find. Also, the burps are me. :)

[@LGR]

Haha, great trivia, Mr. Siegler :D Thanks for stopping by

[@JoeSiegler]

+Lazy Game Reviews The way to find it was to spin your character around in a circle while holding the brake down. However, if the start line left the screen totally at any point, it wouldn't work. :)

[@markklem]

Joe is the man.

[@krakixel]

The Dopefish lives!

[@tmazz85]

Well done, Mr. Krist.

[@ghost085]

1994. We had a Mario Kart clone that could barely work in our PCs and then shortly after that we had a game like Doom that could barely work on a SNES. How fast things turned around.

[@SamuraiCaveman]

No it really isn't and you're kidding yourself.

[@NotaPizzaGRL]

Eff Skunny Kart. I'm far from a Nintendo stan but Mario Kart was way better than this sorry ass game. I remember playing this and wondering why yet again a PC that could run games like Doom and Quake could not get a decent fighting game (that wasn't on consoles or in the arcades first), kart racing game, platformer, stuff like that. When it came to strategy, adventure, stuff like that PCs ruled but sometimes I just wanted to play a game like Streets of Rage and until doujin soft and the indies got more attention over here it was slim pickings.

[@override7486]

This were two entirely different games, and two games with entirely different technology/engine. Only release dates are close, but it doesn't mean technology advanced so much in a year or so...

[@DOSRetroGamer]

I could be totally wrong, but maybe it has to do with PCs having a numeric co-processor (starting with 386DX) and its built-in floating-point operations making it better fit to render polygons.

[@thewhyzer]

@@NotaPizzaGRL "could not get a decent fighting game" - what about One Must Fall 2097?

[@indeimaus]

MAN, I remember playing this game as a kid; I only had the shareware though but this game was amazing

[@Tinnesa]

My, GOD. This is the childhood game I lost when I was 7 and never found again. FINALLY someone tells me what it was! Thanks!

[@misterscienceguy]

+Tinnesa Same boat as you, I didn't even remember this game until I saw this review and suddenly got hit with a sledgehammer of nostaglia.

[@rodrigociotta9936]

Such nostalgia, man! I've been transported to late 90's for a while and found myself elbowing my brother since we had to play against each other on the same keyboard. Great times.

[@TheAxeGrinder]

I remember Wacky Wheels. So much fun.

[@Anonymous77513]

Thank you! I played this with my dad when I wasn't old enough to count to 10. This has a special place in my heart.

[@Larry]

Did Street Racer ever get a PC release? that seemed to be the main alternate to Mario Kart. At least on consoles.

[@levant1668]

+Larry Bundy Jr That game is friggin' terrible.

[@Mini-z1994]

+Larry Bundy Jr the 1996 game ? it was according too the wikipedia at least released on pc 1997. KZbin video of the demo on ps1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXjHeXdvfJ5mmq8 Maybe some coverage on kart racers / combat vehicle games is something to pick up on in a video sometime? as Grip recently was announced (A revival of the rollcage games from the old team developing the two rollcage games)

[@KalYoshiKa]

+Larry Bundy Jr The PC version of Street Racer was based on the Playstation version so...only kinda I guess.

[@Larry]

KalY Ah, the PS1 version is more or less the sequel.

[@Chraan]

+Larry Bundy Jr Different eras.

[@Audiojunkk]

Brought me crashing back to my childhood. Never knew what this game was called! This, Big Red Racing and Duke 3D were my jams back in the day. Thanks LGR for another brilliant upload :-)

[@KurisuKun]

Oh man, thanks for reminding me of Skunny Kart! I couldn't recall the name of this game, I've played it all the time as a kid. Man, that's nostalgic.

[@nihilisticpoet]

My childhood game. Right there on the DOS, fucking loved it. Thanks LGR, for reviewing this. Didn't even know you had this in your archives, despite being subscribed for quite some time!

[@Danbotology]

Memories of endlessly playing the shareware versions of this, Terminal Velocity, Realms Of Chaos, Raptor, and ROTT because they were included as extras on my Duke Nukem 3D disc :)

[@TheSomerandomguy1]

Congrats on 300k Lgr! Onwards to 400k and beyond!

[@LGR]

Thank you!

[@evilfalseprophet]

omg i played this as a kid and totaly forgot the game.... thx you so much for bringing back my memory about this awesome game!!

[@orinokonx01]

These DOS game reviews make my Saturdays that much more special. Thank you for this!

[@Daniel__Nobre]

Great review! Thank you! I played this so much with friends back on the day. Hearing that music in the beginning of your video felt like when you return to your cozy parents house to share dinner and sleep there on your old bed, on your old room, that they kept all those years :)

[@markklem]

Your reply gives me shivers down my spine :)

[@Daniel__Nobre]

@@markklem hahaha objective achieved 😆

[@peterj1979]

2:50 I don't know why there's a hedgehog pooping in a toilet, but I love it.

[@jaykay18]

I used to play this all the time back in the day. In fact I bought the full version! There was also another game, I don't remember the publisher, but it was Micro Machines cars that raced around, through the kitchen, you had to jump over the kitchen sink if I remember correctly. Really a cool and unique game, I'd love to see a review of that!

[@badlorie]

I’m thoroughly convinced that my entire elementary was ran by apogee sharewear

[@chillinoutmaxin4630]

Amen to that, brother!

[@super_beard_bro9908]

God... spamming those numeric- and f-key-devils used to be so much fun! Thanks for bringing back the good memories of racing my brother on our old crummy DOS computer.

[@technodaz]

Love this game and still do , it was also one of the first games i tested back in the day when my dad finally caved and allowed me to get a midi cable and try it on his Roland E-70 and even he was impressed at the music in the game and how great it sounded out of his keyboard. That sound track was just sweet!

[@Autotrope]

Your videos really do cheer me up/relax me when im down or stressed

[@maugos]

Screw Mario Kart! Wacky Wheels has a shark driving a go-kart!

[@redavatar]

I still play this game now and then - I utterly LOVED this game back in the days! Not to mention the best of all: the 1vs1 combat with splitscreen!

[@Quebedify]

i...played this game. i must have been like 4. i haven't even thought about this game intill today. your reviews bring back forgotten memories. i love you

[@PachuStrauss]

I have so many fond memories of this game, even if the only version I got to play was the Shareware one, which only let you choose the Pelican as a playable character. Having found that there's an HD remaster on the works almost made me flip. Thanks for making my day.

[@Kjeldsen8800]

Remember this game very well. We had this as a demo when I was a kid, and played it on a IBM 100 MHz computer I think. Even though some tracks and characters was blocked, we could get around this by waiting for the "screensaver auto races" ( I don't know what it's called). So for example, if the camel was racing, we exited the to the menu and then we could race as the camel. I felt like a true hacker, aged 7 😅 good game, and good review. Thank you Clint for reminding me of this.👍

[@Mintylight]

I *loved* this game as a kid! I loved the sounds the other animals made as they passed you! Made it fun to be overrun! :D

[@porjay]

Your review did this game justice! nice work dude

[@Patashu]

The best part of this game by far is the music, omg

[@Jake_Eyes]

Spaz ate the Dopefish.

[@UncleAwesomeRetro]

I played this a lot :) Back then for me, this was a fun game and the music is awesome. The multiplayer also increased its longevity.

[@LastofAvari]

Oh, man. Played it a lot and it was awesome! Thanks for reviving old memories!

[@apanapane]

The title music is just amazing. So many memories.

[@Misbehave]

played this at a friend's place on their old PC before I was ever introduced to Super Mario Kart on SNES. For me Wacky Wheels was the ultimate kart racing game since it was my first. :-) Thanks for the review!

[@harpuny8480]

LGR you are so close to 300 000 subscribers! Only 62 subscribers to go! Congratulations! :)

[@LGR]

Thank you!

[@harpuny8480]

Thank you for answering I'm a new fan/subscriber but i have already watched quite a few of your videos. I really like your The Sims 3 and Sims 4 videos. My question is - What expansion packs would you recommend? I only have The Sims 3 base game, but my birthday is coming soon(well, its in march, but i can start saving :P )

[@axiomapostate6704]

I used to play this game all the time. Nice trip down nostalgia lane

[@gentooboy1337]

ww.exe ! One of the first executables I started on my own in my young ages :D

[@hellinterface6721]

Same. This and commander keen i played by the hour since doom was forbidden by my parents. Hey I use gentoo too btw. You, I like!

[@tomypower4898]

you have YES idea

[@Mani-aX]

Multiplayer is where it was at, this was such a fun game with a few players playing against each other.

[@DustyTheKitty]

0:38 Oh the left side of the screen makes me immensely happy...

[@Mariow1385]

Dude thank you for your work!! Brings back my shareware memories

[@davidsenra2495]

I loved that duck, it's laid-back expression always made me laugh.

[@Pillowcase]

Oh shit - that theme music. As soon as this video started I got teleported to my parents basement.

[@TigerClawTV]

Awesome video. I love the MS-DOS stuff you do.

[@Nailbunny889]

Oh man, Wacky Wheels. I only ever had the shareware version, but I loved this game as a kid. I didn't have a PC in my house until '96 or so, but my friend and I would play it on his PC all the time, and when I finally got my PC he gave me a copy.

[@Sarys385]

I used to have this game when I was just a kid. I always wondered what the name was but now you have given me the answer.

[@hamishfox]

Duck shoot mode is where it is at my dude. I played that ENDLESSLY as a kid. Some say I am still playing it to this very day.

[@Wobbey363]

That remake looks beautiful! I'll be keeping an eye out for it in the future

[@Texshy]

Ah I remember playing this game a lot

[@wakuwalt7]

Funny, i was talking about this game on some forums.... Great review!

[@philscomputerlab]

I remember playing that game back in the day :)

[@3AMJH]

This brings some lovely memories. I always played as the camel for some reason.

[@martiusr2404]

I remember that I was also jealous about all these Mario-Karts games(although more significant for me was Mario Kart for N64, because I've started to play on PC in second half of 90'). The first "kart-racer" I've played on PC and considered as quite good was Toon Car - no major differences between various characters (despite appearance, of course), it was easy to notice that this game was made by some minor company, but what a great amount of fun! Especially in multiplayer mode (as far as I remember - only local, but back then it was positive aspect, since not too many owners of PC had access to internet - on the other hand, even nowadays I like when there is also option with local multiplayer in PC games). And now, with Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and All-Stars Racing Tranformed (ok, maybe they're not technically "kart-games", but still it's something from similar family - "cartoonish" characters, power-ups etc.), I don't need to be jealous anymore - because these two are splendid and incredibly good titles (not to mention that I like Sonic more than Mario :P). Sega was (and is :P) probably the kindest japanese company for PC gamers (BTW - it would be great if you could review (in further future) some SEGA games from 90' :)) What a coincidence, Wacky Wheels was about a week ago nicely discounted on GOG, so I've decided to give it a chance. Well, to be honest, you've shown almost everything, what was bothering me in this game. A bit uncomfortable mechanics, control, animation... And my "personal minus" - I always have an impression in case of these "fake-3D" Kart-racing games, that they're missing something. I always have some feeling of being "uncomfortable" during playing in such titles (probably because of the spoiled "sense of distance"). Well, I like graphics in this game, especially available characters, but it's still not enough for making me like this title. Thanks for another great review, and for taking us back once more into glorious 90'. Long live PC-gaming! (both on DOS and Windows)

[@iixslashxii]

this was one of my favorite games on dos! it was great to play with friends on the same keyboard!

[@boulderdashc6425]

Found this somewhere in the wild a few years back nice game. Thank you for the vid.

[@TheRealTHD]

That "early adopter" comment about the FormGen release makes me think of games these days where you just wait until a big release gets the GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION with all the DLC slapped onto it from beforehand. Truly saddening, but in several ways, Wacky Wheels was ahead of the game! Nuts that there's going to be an HD remake of it, though WW doesn't have the same character appeal of Mario Kart or even Crash Team Racing.

[@VarisAlpha]

holy crap what, Mark Klem scored this game? that's amazing!

[@cactuarlol8288]

Do a "Big Red Racing" LGR!

[@JazGalaxy]

+CactuarLOL that game was suprisingly good. I remember playing the demo a lot.

[@Aoderic]

+CactuarLOL I remember playing it a lot back in college, around 1996-97?

[@DoombringerFPS]

+CactuarLOL Oh yeah, one of my old favorits. Had so much fun racing with my friends and brother there. And just fucking around in the open world of the maps. Climbing mountains with the big foot or just going sightseeing.

[@sundaypro]

Brought back memories. Thank you man.

[@armstrong1990]

The best kart racing game on DOS! One of my fav games growing up!

[@audymaulizar6697]

LOL I can relate to the "playing game in the computer lab" part. Back in grade school, my friends and I used to play Counter Strike 1.6 through LAN in our computer lab when our teacher wasn't looking.

[@Chriserino]

I love this game. Played the crap out of it when i was a kid :D Ah the memories!

[@L33PL4Y]

This is the first video of yours I've seen as I just discovered your channel thanks to the Gaming Historian. I'm left wondering where the "lazy" part of your title comes from, because this seemed quite comprehensive as a game review. Nothing "lazy" about it if you ask me.

[@LGR]

When it started seven years ago, it was quite lazy indeed :) Thanks, glad you stopped by!

[@monkshoodable]

I am sure many of us would gladly play this multiplayer with you, LGR. DOS-love, FTW.

[@pedroinogueiras]

This was my first game ever. Thanks for the memories!

[@IronSeagull]

YESSSS the first video game I ever played! :D I bought it again recently and I still love it.

[@Blurredman]

Ah yes. Used to play this so much as a kid. Used to play tournaments and duck shoots with my brother over serial link... Oh those days... I kind of miss them...

[@MrRichieCZ]

We used to play this game with my brother as a child. :) It was non-stoping fun... :)

[@somethingodd1]

Wow, I didn't know that the HD remake was even a thing. Thanks for showing us that. :D

[@totih144]

Remembering my childhood... Me and my cousin always plays with this game!

[@MagusMarquillin]

I used to multiplay the shareware version at my friends dad's office. I always raced as Tigi - I pronounced it as Tie Guy - agaist his shark. Lots o Fun.

[@OldyAlbert]

I played that game as a kid! Still remember that music.

[@andlinux]

Love this game, played this a lot with a friend (split screen). I played a always with the tiger and he with the shark. We had a lot of fun then, we even found a glitch. When you bounce against the wall in a corner then you could jump out of the racing track. But I can't remember if it was with all tracks or just one , I thought with one.

[@kemy6775]

Got my Shareware copy at Radio Shack when I was 12 or so. Great memories man.

[@stewartfullerton1965]

Skunny Kart was the game I remembered, it was in a 300 games in 1 CD Rom that I bought at around 1997.

[@TschimmiCash]

oh my God!! I loved the Wacky Wheels (shareware) and played this sooo much!! :D Thank you for this review!

[@MrLegove]

i played this as a kid on Mac. wow what a blast from the fuking past. i love your channel i'm hooked

[@neoblackcyptron]

Man the death match mode was the best. My friend and I used to play hours of death match. We had a cheat code for maxed out hedge hogs or fireballs and infinite jumps and turbo boost. That made death matches crazy fun. Listening to bryan adams summer of 69 aerosmith, def leopard and playing death match, wow great times great game.

[@bossskelton211]

I had forgotten this game, used to play it on a friend's computer, love the hedgehogs and little devil.

[@StephanS]

I always prefered Skunny Kart over Whacky Wheels... i love the music and the overall feel of the game. It may not be the best game, but it had a certain atmosphere that makes this game loveable.

[@Astounding33]

I played the crap out of Wacky Wheels back in my childhood. I loved it so much. My siblings and I still talk about the times we spent witb this game.

[@Ikouy]

There’s two really funny glitches you can do on the shareware version. The info section of the game ran its own demo in the background. This will overwrite the save game, changing the level, character and speed (it’s always the slow speed). This will allow limited access to unplayable characters and silver track 2 with its own music (in review around the time of the handbrake). The computer will crash if you finish said track though. The other glitch is in multiplayer. If both players are against an edge it’s possible to jam both karts together with sparks and traveling at 6kph. I don’t remember the specific kart, I believe it’s the player in front, but one of them can handbrake and exit the track. There’s not much you can do outside but driving so far will eventually come across a copy of the track that can be driven over but doesn’t react to the player.

[@mcflayflay]

oh my god this brings me back to when i was a kid. I completely forgot about that game!

[@SJ-co6nk]

This review reminded me of Zone 66. Maybe it was the music, or the fact that this game and Zone 66 were the two I put on the PC in my classroom.

[@rowantritton8659]

My nostalgia is strong with this one

[@logicandtrick]

Holy crap. I forgot I grew up on this game. one of the first games I ever played.

[@DucktatorD]

If you held in the fire button in Wacky Wheels you would eventually conjure up a icecube useable as a weapon, it blew my mind when I discovered it while playing against a friend back then.

[@Azariachan]

This game was awesome. I never noticed any of the described issues when I was a kid. The controls were good as far as I remember.

[@MrHulsi]

Piracy was so easy with floppies. Haha, played this game like crazy. Holding the shoot button, you got a ice block or a 3 fire shot. Not sure when what happened, but played this game like crazy with my brother.

[@alimaty]

Any game that had 2 player split screen for the PC was instant Good game :D Good memories with my siblings and Wacky wheels

[@Blummineck]

I'd forgotten all about this game. We used to play this on the school network at lunchtimes as well as Doom.

[@Indians-dl3to]

Wacky Wheels has the best soundtrack that made your childhood.

[@Stadtmuzik]

I loved the Multiplayer of WW back in the day. Was playing the shareware version with a friend - well it was the closest we came to Mario Kart, but I have fond memories of that game. The same goes for Race Mania which was from... around 1995 I guess...

[@TheCrouchingBiscuit]

Another great review!

[@TimothyRMorris]

Whoa so many memories.

[@llpBR]

Man, how I loved playing this game with my brother...

[@NostalgiaChan]

Where does this game get off having a soundtrack that good? Good gravy.

[@rekalty4477]

Oh man, this takes me back...

[@ArjanKuiper]

Aaah good old Wacky Wheels, I really spend hours playing this game on my old 486DX2.

[@PaulMetalhero]

I played this game a lot ... *nostalgia intesifies*