Monaco Grand Prix:
Racing Simulation 2
European Windows cover art
Developer(s)Ubi Soft Paris
Publisher(s)Ubi Soft
Platform(s)Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast
Release
1998
  • Windows
    PlayStation
    • NA: June 30, 1999
    • PAL: July 1999
    Nintendo 64
    • PAL: June 1999
    • NA: September 1999
    Dreamcast
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2, also known as just Monaco Grand Prix or Racing Simulation: Monaco Grand Prix, is a Formula One racing game developed and published by Ubisoft for the Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Dreamcast. It was released in 1998–1999. A sequel, Racing Simulation 3, was released in 2002.

Gameplay

Cockpit view (Windows)

The game is based on the Formula One World Championship, but does not have the licence to use drivers names, official cars, etc; the developers instead acquired the Automobile Club de Monaco licence,[3] and a licence to use Formula One's official sponsors; Schweppes and Castrol among others, helping add to the authenticity of the game. The game is unrelated to Sega's Monaco GP series.

The sequel to F1 Racing Simulation, it features 17 authentic tracks, 11 teams and cars with their 22 drivers. The Monaco license is used, although the teams themselves are not licensed. A total of 22 camera views are provided. Telemetry is stored and analysed in a similar way to Grand Prix 2, and physics are modelled to be realistic.

There are eight different modes to race, the new ones being a career mode in which the player starts with a poor team and must drive well enough to earn competitive rides, and scenarios recreating key races for particular drivers. Returning from the first game are Time Attack, a full championship, and a 1950s retro mode. There is also a track editor for the players to create their own tracks.

Reception

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms except the Dreamcast version, which received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[4][5][6][7] PC Gamer gave the PC version universal acclaim, while PC Accelerator gave it a favorable review, months before its U.S. release.[30][31] An unnamed reviewer of Next Generation gave the N64 version a positive review, praising gameplay, number of tracks and cars, graphics, physics and two player screen-mode.[27] Four issues later, however, Chris Carla of the same magazine (now labeled NextGen) said of the Dreamcast version of the game as solid, but thought that Ubisoft's title Speed Devils was better.[26] In Japan, where the same Dreamcast version was ported for release on March 11, 1999, followed by the PlayStation version on September 30, Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40 for the former,[32] and 26 out of 40 for the latter.[33]

Pete Wilton of Official UK PlayStation Magazine gave the PlayStation version seven out of ten; although criticising minor game's issues, he called Monaco GP better than F1 '98, but inferior to the latter's previous title.[34] Computer Games Strategy Plus gave the PC version four-and-a-half stars out of five, praising graphics, accurate driving model, and multiplayer.[35] Edge gave the same PC version a score of seven out of ten in its December 1998 issue, despite noting some technical issues.[36] Seven issues later, the same magazine gave the Japanese Dreamcast import six out of ten, criticizing it as the same version without some enhancements, but was generally positive.[37]

AllGame gave the Dreamcast, PC and PlayStation versions each three stars out of five, with Brad Cook saying of the Dreamcast version: "I have to give this game a higher rating than I thought I would simply because I know it will appeal to its intended audience. Just stay away if you want arcade-style action";[38] Michael L. House saying that the PC version "crosses the finish line in fairly good shape. I'm a firm believer that all games don't necessarily have to fit exclusively in a restrictive "either/or" category but can fill niches in a sliding scale of desirability. Just as those gamers who do themselves an injustice by adamantly shouting there is only one viable golf simulation because of a strict, narrow mindset, so to[o] will racing fans unwilling to experience alternatives in the Formula 1 racing genre";[39] while Jonathan Sutyak was positive of PlayStation version.[40]

In an early review Boba Fatt of GamePro called the European PlayStation version "the slowpoke", alluding negatively to its graphics compared to PC version.[41][lower-alpha 5] Vicious Sid said of the European Nintendo 64 version in an early review that racing fans will take a break from the "daunting" F1 World Grand Prix and flock to Monaco Grand Prix.[42][lower-alpha 6] Air Hendrix said in another review that the same console version delivers an "impressive" collection of sixteen tracks from around the world and eleven different racing teams, each including multiple drivers.[43][lower-alpha 7] Mark Asher called the PC version "a superior racing experience" that captures the feel of being in a Formula 1 car.[44][lower-alpha 8] Air Hendrix said of the Dreamcast version in one review that Monaco Grand Prix has a more sim-style realism compared to Sega Sports' Flag to Flag, but thought that many gamers will prefer the latter due to being less realistic and having two-player option.[45][lower-alpha 9] iBot said of the same console version in another review that due to many different racing games geared for several different audiences coming at the Dreamcast launch, Monaco is geared towards to the serious racing gamers.[46][lower-alpha 10]

Jes Bickham of N64 Magazine gave the N64 version 87%,[47] while Cam Shea of Hyper gave it 83%.[48] Electronic Gaming Monthly and Nintendo Power gave the European version average reviews, months before its U.S. release date.[12][28] In addition, Jackson Goethe-Snape of Hyper gave it 79% for the PC version,[49] while Eliot Fish gave it 80% for the Dreamcast version.[50]

The PC version was a runner-up for Computer Games Strategy Plus' 1999 "Racing Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to Dirt Track Racing. Its staff wrote that the game's graphics and excellent vehicle physics were the hallmark in the series.[51]

Notes

  1. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Nintendo 64 version each a score of 8/10, one gave it 6.5/10, and the other gave it 6/10.
  2. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 8/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 6.5/10.
  3. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the Dreamcast version, one critic gave it 69, and the other 72.
  4. ↑ In GameFan's early viewpoint of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it 62, and the other 73.
  5. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 2.5/5 for graphics, two 2/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for control in an early review.
  6. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version three 3.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 3/5 for sound, and 4/5 for control in one early review.
  7. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version three 3.5/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 3/5 for sound in another review.
  8. ↑ GamePro gave the PC version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.
  9. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4/5 for graphics, two 3/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for control in one review.
  10. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4/5 for graphics, two 3/5 scores for sound and control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor in another review.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (May 21, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Ships". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Langan, Matthew (September 3, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (DC Preview)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  3. ↑ "In the hot seat with Graham Chambers". Official Dreamcast Magazine (UK). Dennis Publishing (2): 110–111. 11 November 1999.
  4. 1 2 "Monaco Grand Prix for Dreamcast". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Monaco Grand Prix for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2 for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Monaco Grand Prix for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  8. ↑ Mahood, Andy (November 3, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (DC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  9. ↑ Mahood, Andy (July 16, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (PS)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  10. ↑ Goble, Gordon (May 1999). "Formula for Success (Monaco Grand Prix [Racing Simulation 2] Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 178. Ziff Davis. pp. 158–59. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Monaco Grand Prix (DC)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 123. Ziff Davis. October 1999. p. 220. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Chou, Che; Hager, Dean; Davison, John; Smith, Shawn (July 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (N64)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 120. Ziff Davis. p. 126. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  13. ↑ Hager, Dean; Chou, Che; Davison, John; Smith, Shawn (July 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 120. Ziff Davis. p. 129.
  14. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (January 13, 2000). "Monaco Grand Prix (DC)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  15. ↑ McNamara, Andy (October 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix – Dreamcast". Game Informer. No. 78. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on December 2, 2000. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  16. ↑ Higgins, Geoff "El Nino"; Chau, Anthony "Dangohead" (November 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (DC)". GameFan. Vol. 7, no. 11. Shinno Media. p. 98. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  17. ↑ Higgins, Geoff "El Nino"; Stockert, Bruce "Reubus" (June 1999). "Monaco GP [sic] (PS)". GameFan. Vol. 7, no. 6. Shinno Media. p. 72. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  18. ↑ Taruc, Nelson (September 22, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Review (DC)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  19. ↑ Taruc, Nelson (April 19, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Review (N64)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  20. ↑ Taurc, Nelson (July 26, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Review (PS)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  21. ↑ Ares (October 13, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  22. ↑ Blache III, Fabian (September 8, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix 2 [sic] (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  23. ↑ Schneider, Peer (October 18, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (N64)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  24. ↑ Butts, Steve (June 8, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  25. ↑ Harris, Craig (July 15, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  26. 1 2 Charla, Chris (November 1999). "Monaco GP [sic] (DC)". NextGen. No. 59. Imagine Media. p. 115. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  27. 1 2 "Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2 [sic] (N64)". Next Generation. No. 55. Imagine Media. July 1999. p. 97. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  28. 1 2 "Monaco Grand Prix". Nintendo Power. Vol. 121. Nintendo of America. June 1999. p. 110. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  29. ↑ Rybicki, Joe (June 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Vol. 2, no. 9. Ziff Davis. p. 97. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  30. 1 2 Mahood, Andy (January 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation [2]". PC Accelerator. No. 5. Imagine Media. p. 91. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  31. 1 2 "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2". PC Gamer. Vol. 6, no. 3. Imagine Media. March 1999.
  32. ↑ "ドリームキャスト – MONACO GRAND PRIX Racing Simulation 2". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 49.
  33. ↑ "モナコ グランプリ レーシングシミュレーション2 [PS]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  34. ↑ Wilton, Pete (April 1999). "Racing Simulation Monaco Grand Prix". Official UK PlayStation Magazine. No. 44. Future Publishing. pp. 90–91. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  35. ↑ Walker, Mark H. (May 30, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on July 2, 2003. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  36. ↑ Edge staff (December 1998). "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Stimulation 2 (PC)". Edge. No. 65. Future Publishing. p. 91. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  37. ↑ Edge staff (June 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Stimulation 2 (DC) [Import]". Edge. No. 72. Future Publishing. p. 91. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  38. ↑ Cook, Brad. "Monaco Grand Prix (DC) – Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  39. ↑ House, Michael L. "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2 (PC) – Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  40. ↑ Sutyak, Jonathan. "Monaco Grand Prix (PS) – Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  41. ↑ Boba Fatt (June 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (PS)" (PDF). GamePro. No. 129. IDG. p. 113. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  42. ↑ Vicious Sid (June 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (N64)". GamePro. No. 129. IDG. p. 113.
  43. ↑ Air Hendrix (1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on October 1, 2004. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  44. ↑ Asher, Mark (July 31, 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix 2 [sic] Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  45. ↑ Air Hendrix (October 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix (DC)" (PDF). GamePro. No. 133. IDG. p. 170. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  46. ↑ iBot (1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on September 9, 2004. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  47. ↑ Bicham, Jes (April 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2". N64 Magazine. No. 27. Future Publishing. pp. 68–71.
  48. ↑ "Monco Grand Prix Racing [Simulation] 2" (PDF). Hyper. No. 66. Next Media Pty Ltd. April 1999. p. 40. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  49. ↑ Goethe-Snape, Jackson (January 1999). "Monaco Grand Prix [Racing Simulation] 2 (PC)" (PDF). Hyper. No. 63. Next Media Pty Ltd. p. 80. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  50. ↑ Fish, Eliot (November 1999). "Monaco GP Racing Simulation 2 (DC)" (PDF). Hyper. No. 73. Next Medi Pty Ltd. p. 45. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  51. ↑ CGSP staff (March 6, 2000). "The Computer Games Awards: The Best Games of 1999 (Racing Game of the Year)". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on April 1, 2005. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
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