Herbie Rescue Rally doesn't seem like it would be anything too special, and though its fun is short, it's actually a pretty enjoyable game to get everything as possible done.
In terms of the racing, the game provides adequate speed acceleration and turning. It's nothing difficult to master, but it's better than a lot of DS racing games feel.
A more kart-racing type element is the game allows the player to collect "53" labeled coins. After a certain amount, the player can find a shortcut mini-game where you have to rapidly tap 2 flowers on the touch screen, giving the player a quick dash through the lap. The coins individually give a slight speed boost, which means even a full bar makes them important to collect. Unlike coins in a game like Mario kart, I actually felt like I could tangibly feel the impact during races.
The game's AI can actually be pretty vicious. Certain AI is said to directly try and sabotage the player's race, and it actually feels like it. They slam into you mostly, and occasionally attack the player with weapons. It's good to have a racing game like this where the ai is more interesting that "does the game decide the ai will catch up or not".
Rescue Rally has one glaring issue- there's just not enough game here. With 4 track themes, the game provides 4 track layouts for each race- leaving 16 race tracks total. That sounds like a good amount for the DS, but with somewhat similar track layouts between the themes, it just isn't enough. The single player lasts about an hour, and the extra cup modes, as well as single races to get the best times in the times score help add an extra 2ish hours. 2-3 more race tracks and the game would be a lot more recommendable.
In terms of the racing, the game provides adequate speed acceleration and turning. It's nothing difficult to master, but it's better than a lot of DS racing games feel.
A more kart-racing type element is the game allows the player to collect "53" labeled coins. After a certain amount, the player can find a shortcut mini-game where you have to rapidly tap 2 flowers on the touch screen, giving the player a quick dash through the lap. The coins individually give a slight speed boost, which means even a full bar makes them important to collect. Unlike coins in a game like Mario kart, I actually felt like I could tangibly feel the impact during races.
The game's AI can actually be pretty vicious. Certain AI is said to directly try and sabotage the player's race, and it actually feels like it. They slam into you mostly, and occasionally attack the player with weapons. It's good to have a racing game like this where the ai is more interesting that "does the game decide the ai will catch up or not".
Rescue Rally has one glaring issue- there's just not enough game here. With 4 track themes, the game provides 4 track layouts for each race- leaving 16 race tracks total. That sounds like a good amount for the DS, but with somewhat similar track layouts between the themes, it just isn't enough. The single player lasts about an hour, and the extra cup modes, as well as single races to get the best times in the times score help add an extra 2ish hours. 2-3 more race tracks and the game would be a lot more recommendable.