Parking Garage Circuit Rally

Two things perfectly encapsulate the early to mid-90s: Sega Saturn-era arcade racers and that iconic episode of Mr. Bean where he hilariously navigates a multi-storey car park. Parking Garage Circuit Rally is a delightful homage to the golden age of arcade racing games, capturing the essence of Sega Saturn-style graphics while delivering a thrilling, drift-heavy, multi-storey experience—minus a duelling Mini Cooper and Reliant Regal. The standout feature of Parking Garage Circuit Rally is its low-poly, chunky textures, reminiscent of the best graphics the Sega Saturn had to offer. Although I was a PlayStation kid, there was something uniquely satisfying about the Saturn’s 3D visuals. The ‘held together with duct tape’ rawness, a result of Sega’s machine pushing its limits, only enhanced the experience as it valiantly brought the Model 2 experience into the home.

The game features eight tracks set in diverse thematic environments, from lively urban car parks to picturesque mountain passes. Take the Mount Rushmore track, for example, with its colossal tumbling boulders, while urban circuits feature sudden power outages that plunge racers into darkness. This variety ensures that no two races feel alike, offering endless replay value. While the inclusion of debris and obstacles is intended to add challenge, I will admit they often end up feeling more punitive than engaging at times, leading to some frustrating interruptions in gameplay.

Navigating these obstacles is made somewhat easier thanks to some responsive and intuitive handling, with the act of drifting being immensely enjoyable and satisfying. This is due in no small part to a dedicated drift button that allows for a ‘hands-off’ approach to steering once you commit to a corner. One slightly frustrating aspect is the camera system, which tends to switch to a reverse angle when nearing walls. This sudden shift can be disorienting and disrupt the flow of the game, ever so slightly detracting from the overall experience. Should you persevere, however, your skilful drifting will reward you with speed boosts, encouraging you to link drifts for maximum impact, while unlockable cars and tracks provide a sense of accomplishment and replayability.

The retro visuals are complemented by a vibrant soundtrack from ska band The Holophonics, which perfectly matches not only the game’s energetic tempo but the era in gaming of which solo developer “Tim” of Walaber Entertainment so lovingly tips his hat to. Although the sound effects are mostly limited to the expected revving engines and screeching tyres, they do their job admirably, though they can’t compete with that banger of a soundtrack.

Multiplayer lobbies are available, but the single-player experience is robust enough to keep you coming back for more if you’re as offline as me. The AI-controlled opponents, particularly the ghost cars, sometimes take routes that seem impossible for the player to replicate however, which can create a sense of unfairness and frustration.