Playstation Network has been blitzed over the last few months by a number of outstanding arcade games starting with the instant classics such as Crash Commando and Penny Arcade. Only recently we have unearthed Flower, another priceless gem soon to be followed by Fat Princess in the following months, but during the wait, it was inevitable that there would be other arcade games that would shine, one of them being the seriously underrated and lengthy titled Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle Cars from Psyonix studio.

          My first experience with the game like most others was the demo version that is still available now via the Playstation Store. The demo is essentially the full game, but most options like ranked online play are locked until you purchase the full version. A timer was also attached to the demo, giving me limited time to make my mind up about the game, and then eventually buying it.

          In simple terms, SARPBC is soccer meets micro machines. Each match can host up to four players on either team, in one of four pitches, all with a unique design and change in play-style. The huge metal ball will be centred in the middle of the pitch at kick-off, and when the pre-match timer runs down, cars will launch themselves toward the ball in order to try and batter it into opponent’s goal. Of course, cars cannot kick balls, instead you can simply ram the ball, or you can access a roster of other techniques and manoeuvres to out-skill your opponents.

          The name of the game may be long winded, but is completely true to what happens within the game, here is a quick breakdown:

Supersonic – Boost pick-ups will be available to pick up on the pitch. Holding the circle button will drain your boost gauge, but grants you more speed. If enough boost is applied, your car will also enter Supersonic mode.

          Acrobatic – The cars will be able to jump, double jump, barrel roll and flip in order to direct the ball and to usher opponent’s cars out of the way. The “flip kick”, performed by double jumping when your analog stick is pushed forward, will clatter the ball at force, making it one of the most primal moves in the game.

Rocket-Power – You don’t just have to boost when you are on the ground, when airborne, boosting will lift you higher and faster so you can reach the ball as it bounces high.

Battle – What would soccer be without foul play? Though no cards can be issued, your cars can gather enough speed to take out other cars for a short time, making the scrap for possession harder as you all scrap over the ball.

Cars – You will always be playing as mini cars. There are several designs of car, available through doing the game’s challenges and tournament modes.

         

The music and graphics aren’t exactly on a huge scale production, but for such a casual arcade game, they suit perfectly, despite the inability to play music from the XMB or to import your own tracks. However, the actual pitches are designed perfectly, capturing the tension of the game with cleverly planted boost pickups, some pitches even having completely diverse structure (Utopia.)

          The replay value of the game is seamless. I play frequently with friends and family due to its spot-on “pick up and play” factor, meaning every match is a fair match. Online mode is also available with occasional tournaments and even a mini-clan system to quickly team up with friends. Also there are in-game stars to gain, rewards available from the many challenges and single player matches included. Also, if you visit the Psyonix website, the run a forum in which you can talk casually with the developers of the game and even fix matches with them. From talking to the guys at Psyonix I was also able to learn that they have a lot in store for the game including new pitches, and the possibility of upgraded features such as online fixes and more diverse clan system.

          The game is a total blast and mustn’t be missed out on. If you like cars and soccer, then this is an essential purchase for you, if not, you should at least give the demo a shot.