Thursday 2 August, 2012

I beat WizPig for the final time and have begun running time trials.

The purpose of the time trials is so I can unlock T.T. as a racer for 100% completion. This is proving to be very VERY difficult. I have to get record time in every single race track. It is honestly taking me forever! I've learned that in order to beat the set times, I would have to drive absolutely perfect on every course. One missed zipper.. missed bananas.. off-road.. even the boost at the start makes the difference. So far I have beaten 7 course times and not a single one have I beaten it by more than 0.6 seconds.

Diddy Kong Racing is literally the most difficult game I have ever attempted to 100% complete. That is something I would have never imagined me saying..

That's actually kind of funny. Diddy Kong Racing: Hardest of the hardcore! :-)

I am starting to think that many games like this were designed for two completely different audiences. This game was rated K-A, so everyone could play it (before the E for Everyone by ESRB). Children would be attracted to the cute style of this game and enjoy the fun in the racing, while (for example) their parents would try it out.. they see the real challenges in the game, and get hooked in that way. I remember my father and older sister used to play my Super Mario 64 after I went to bed. When I woke up the next morning, I would have mysteriously gained 5 power stars. So maybe the added challenges in what seems to be primarily a children's game, is for the adults who find it too easy.. I was discussing it with a friend of mine.. its still just a hunch.

I think you're probably right. I recently read something in Edge magazine where the lead designer of Super Mario 3DLand (or whatever it's called) talked about how they tried to make sure there was something for the "hardcore" as well as people who had never played a Mario game before.