Speed Freaks

Speed Freaks, (Speed Punks in North America), is a racing video game for the PlayStation for up to two players (four with a multi-tap for PlayStation).

The game involves racing around a variety of tracks while using several weapons; including items that make the racer's speed increase, missiles, and slime. The game was developed by Funcom and released in Europe in September 15, 1999 and in North America on March 31, 2000.

Gameplay

Speed Freaks is a kart racing game featuring several single and multiplayer modes. During the game, players take control of one of nine characters and drive karts around tracks with various themes. During a race, the player's viewpoint is from behind his or her kart. The goal of the game is to either finish a race ahead of other racers, who are controlled by the computer and other players, or complete a circuit in the fastest time.

Icons marked with question marks are arrayed on the race tracks; they give weapons (pick-ups) to a player's kart if the vehicle passes over them. Pick-ups, such as missiles and slime, allow racers to hit others with the objects, causing them to spin and lose control. A kart that obtains the stealth mode pick-up is temporarily invulnerable to attack. Lines of speed boost tokens are found on the tracks. By running through these tokens, a kart collects them and fills cells on its speed boost bar. The player can use accumulated speed boost to increase speed at a faster rate than under normal acceleration.