Stunt Race FX

Stunt Race FX is one of Nintendo's technological showcases from the early nineties, since it runs on the add-on Super FX chip, which let the Super Nintendo compute genuine polygonal 3D graphics instead of pre-rendered backgrounds. The player chooses from several vehicles that differ in size and handling — from a nimble little racer through a sports car to a clumsy, heavy truck — and drives through tracks full of jumps, turns, ramps and shortcuts, where a feel for physics and the car's weight matters more than raw speed. Each vehicle comes with its own driving style, so the player gradually works out which one suits winding circuits and which suits flat, high-speed tracks.

The game offers several modes, from a classic race against computer-controlled opponents through acrobatic tracks focused purely on jumps and mid-air flips to simpler arcade challenges for the youngest players. It also supports split-screen two-player play, an unusual technical feat for the SNES at the time. As is typical for Super FX, the graphics are blocky and low-polygon, and the frame rate noticeably drops during heavier traffic on track, but the game compensates with a convincing sense of momentum and weight for each vehicle — something purely 2D racing games on the SNES couldn't offer at the time. The upbeat soundtrack nicely underscores the arcade pace and the light, playful tone of the whole game.

At release, Stunt Race FX was seen mainly as another technical demonstration of the Super FX chip's capabilities, somewhat more modest and less flashy than the earlier Star Fox, but interesting for its emphasis on physics and acrobatics over pure speed. Today it's remembered more as a curiosity from the transitional period between 2D and 3D games — graphically long outdated, but its playfulness, unconventional vehicles and emphasis on jumps can still win over an audience among collectors and fans of the early polygonal era on consoles.

Why play it: Collectors and fans of the early polygonal era should give Stunt Race FX a try for its playfulness, unconventional vehicles and focus on acrobatics, even though it's clearly outdated graphically today.