In the Drome…everyone lives for racing.
- NA release: 16th September 2003
- EU release: 19th September 2003
- JP release: N/A
- Developer: Attention to Detail
- Publisher: EA
- NGC Magazine Score: 46%
- Mods Used: None
This is a strange case of a licensed game that seems to be ashamed of its license. In North America, the brand isn’t on the front of the box, and it’s only a tiny logo on the European box. This is a LEGO Technic game that came out at a time where LEGO wasn’t selling that well, and for some reason they though that making LEGO games without their name would help with sales. On top of Drone Racers, there was Island Xtreme Stunts (the third LEGO Island game), Football Mania and Galador, which was LEGO’s biggest attempt to branch out with an action figure line (which was compatible with LEGO) and its own TV show. It was so much of a failure that people don’t even talk about how bad it was.
Now, I should probably get around to talking about Drone Racers (as much as I’d like to talk about Galador instead, it’s far more interesting). It’s a very slow racing game that takes place on some very generic looking levels. The one notable thing about any of the levels is a drill that opens up at the start for you to drive though. The handling is terrible (although, like Monster Truck Madness 64, there’s a hover power up that gives you good handling) and the camera is “attached” to the back of your car, being far too close and moving too much.
At the start of each circuit, you can take part in a series of drag races to determine starting position. However, it takes 10 seconds to reach first place so there’s not much point. For later races, there’s a rolling start and if you were first in the previous race, then you’ll start a good five seconds ahead of everyone else. It’s strange, but far more fascinating than the actual racing.
Poor
Sometimes you get shot by an unavoidable weapon fired from half a lap back by the chasing pack, which is mildly irritating, but you’ll still have a hard time attempting to taste defeat.
Martin Kitts, NGC Magazine #85
Remake or remaster?
There’s nothing interesting to remaster.
Official Ways to get the game
There is no official way to buy Drome Racers.
Europe
Japan
North America
GameCube Games by Date
2002: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2003: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2004: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2005: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2006: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
