Wacky Races

If you see the name Wacky Races and expect an NES racing game, there is a funny surprise waiting for you. Atlus’ 1991 NES title is actually a side-scrolling platformer based on the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon. Instead of driving one of the famous vehicles, you take control of Muttley, Dick Dastardly’s mischievous but surprisingly capable dog. The game was released in Japan as Chiki Chiki Machine Mō Race and arrived in North America in 1992.

Muttley is sent on a series of missions across three different areas: Hip Hop, Splish Splash, and Go Go America. Together, these areas contain ten stages, each ending with a boss encounter against one of the other Wacky Races characters. The goal is less about speed and more about surviving the hazards, defeating enemies, and making it through each course.

Muttley starts with a simple bite attack, which fits the character perfectly. As you explore the stages, you can collect bones that provide different abilities. These include a bomb attack, a ranged bark projectile, the ability to glide using Muttley's tail, and extra health. Choosing when to use these limited abilities adds a little strategy to what otherwise feels like a straightforward platformer.

The game may not be the racing experience its title suggests, but that is part of what makes it interesting. Its colorful cartoon presentation, recognizable characters, unusual power-ups, and playful atmosphere give it plenty of personality. For fans of classic Hanna-Barbera games, Wacky Races is a quirky NES adventure worth discovering.