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{{Short description|2004 racing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|image = File:Digimon Racing Coverart.png
|alt = Three stylized creatures race in comically small go-karts on a sandy, foggy race track. A dark orange digimon whose ears resemble a bat's wings crosses the finish line in a yellow kart. His two opponents are a lighter orange, more generic-looking dinosaur and a blue lizard. They occupy second and third place respectively, but appear intent on winning. Above the scene is the science fiction-inspired text "Digimon Racing".
|caption = European box art From left to right: [[Agumon]], [[Guilmon]] (highlighted), and [[Veemon]].
|developer = [[Griptonite Games]]
|publisher = [[Bandai]]
|series = ''[[List of Digimon video games|Digimon]]''
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|April 1, 2004|PAL|April 30, 2004}}{{vgrelease|NA|September 13, 2004}}
|genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]]
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
|platforms = [[Game Boy Advance]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Digimon Racing'''''|デジモンレーシング|Dejimon Rēshingu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[racing video game]] developed by [[Griptonite Games]] and published by [[Bandai]] (now [[Namco Bandai Games]]) for the [[Game Boy Advance]].  Part of the ''[[Digimon]]'' media franchise and [[List of Digimon video games|video game series]], it utilizes ''Digimon''{{'}}s characters and elements. Its gameplay largely resembles that of traditional racing games, but also utilizes elements of [[Racing video game#Kart racing games|kart racing]] and [[action game]]s. Its eleven playable characters can be increased to over 40 via [[Digivolution]].

''Digimon Racing'' uses 2D scaled graphics and [[voice acting]]. The game was initially announced at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3) 2003 and later exhibited at E3 2004. It was released on April 1, 2004, in Japan; April 30 in Europe; and September 13 in North America.<ref name="release"/> It received mixed reviews from critics upon release, with criticism directed at its resemblance to other kart racers of the time and praise at some aesthetic and gameplay aspects.

==Gameplay==
[[File:DigimonRacingGreymon.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Agumon#Greymon|Greymon]], an evolutionary form of [[Agumon]], competes in a race. [[Heads-up display (video games)|HUD]] features clockwise from top left: ranking, time elapsed, lap, course map, two items that he can use at will, and energy meter.|alt=An orange bipedal dinosaur rides a small go-kart around the corner of a paved race track. Two other racers are visible around him. Futuristic buildings appear in the daytime background. Stylized features such as time remaining and a small map of the course adorn the edges of the screen.]]
''Digimon Racing'' is a [[racing video game]] that utilizes characters and elements from ''[[Digimon]]'' as well as those of traditional racing games. The game follows a group of [[Digimon (creature)|Digimon]] competing in a racing tournament within the [[Digital World]], home to all Digimon. The purpose of the grand prix is to determine who is the best racer; thus, they use specially designed karts that equate all contestants in terms of ability.<ref name="gamespy">{{cite web|title=Digimon Racing|url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/digimon-racing/|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|access-date=March 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310103021/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/digimon-racing/|archive-date=March 10, 2010}}</ref>

''Digimon Racing''{{'}}s gameplay largely resembles that of traditional racing games. It focuses on competing against seven [[central processing unit|CPU]]-controlled characters in cup races consisting of three laps. The usage of [[Item (gaming)|item]]s to attack opponents and improve one's own condition is an integral part of the gameplay, and adds an element of [[Racing video game#Kart racing games|kart racing games]].<ref name="1UP"/> A new feature in the game is "kart hopping": using the karts to jump onto opponents, slowing them down. This adds an element of [[action game]]play. [[Digivolution]], a recurring theme in ''Digimon'', also plays a role in the game. Driving over energy hotspots scattered throughout the tracks increases an energy meter located at the bottom left of the game's HUD. As the meter increases, the player traverses the Digimon's evolutionary line, becoming more powerful and ultimately gaining the ability to use a special attack.<ref name="IGN"/>

The game's fifteen tracks—four of which are available immediately—are based on conventional video game environments such as [[jungle]]s, [[volcano]]es, and [[city|cities]]. After completing a track for the first time, the player unlocks a [[time trial]] mode for this track, and a [[Boss (video games)|boss battle]]. The action-oriented boss battles involve defeating a generally static Digimon using items scattered throughout the areas, which are not designed as race tracks.<ref name="IGN"/> The player can also compete in single races unrelated to the story in any unlocked tracks.<ref name="allgame">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215112242/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=43776 |archive-date=February 15, 2010 |title=Digimon Racing - Overview - allgame |publisher=[[Allgame]] |last=Deci |first=T.J. |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=43776 |access-date=March 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The game uses the [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter]] or [[Game Link Cable]] accessories for a [[multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] racing mode supporting up to four players.<ref name="IGN"/>

===Playable characters===
The game features eleven Digimon as playable characters. Eight characters are available immediately; the remaining three are unlockable by completing cup races.<ref name="allgame"/> However, the Digivolution mechanic increases the total number of playable Digimon to over 40.<ref name="firstlook"/> The cast predominantly includes popular Digimon from the [[Digimon#Anime meta-series|''Digimon'' anime]].<ref name="gamespy"/> Characters' racing abilities differ through their ranking in three areas: speed, handling and acceleration.<ref name="gamezone"/>
{{collist|
* [[Agumon]]
* Agunimon{{efn|name=unlock|Unlockable character}}
* [[Biyomon]]
* [[Gabumon]]
* [[Gomamon]]
* [[Guilmon]]{{efn|name=unlock}}
* [[Palmon]]
* [[Patamon]]
* [[Tentomon]]
* [[List of Digimon Adventure characters|Salamon]]
* [[Veemon]]{{efn|name=unlock}}
}}

==Development and release==
Unlike previous games in the series which were developed by Japanese companies, ''Digimon Racing''{{'}}s development was handled by the [[Kirkland, Washington]], United States–based [[Griptonite Games]]. However, ''Digimon'' series veteran [[Bandai]] (now [[Namco Bandai Games]]) returned to publish the game. It was the first original ''Digimon'' game for the Game Boy Advance, since ''[[Digimon Battle Spirit]]'' and ''[[Digimon Battle Spirit 2]]'' were ports of [[WonderSwan Color]] games. The game uses the [[Mode 7]] engine to create [[3D computer graphics|three-dimensional]] gameplay on the handheld console otherwise incapable of such a feat. It occasionally uses [[voice acting]] during races, uncommon in Game Boy Advance games.<ref name="IGN"/> The game was initially announced at E3 2003.<ref>{{cite web|title=E3 2003: Digimon Racing|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/401/401830p1.html|publisher=[[IGN]]|last=Harris|first=Craig|author-link=|date=May 14, 2003|access-date=March 22, 2010|archive-date=June 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613192528/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/401/401830p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later exhibited at E3 2004, with the North American release announced for August 2004.<ref name="firstlook">{{cite web|title=Digimon Racing First Look|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=May 12, 2004|last=Navarro|first=Alex|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/digimon-racing-first-look/1100-6095674/|access-date=June 29, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629160128/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/digimon-racing-first-look/1100-6095674/|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon completion of development, the game received a rating of "E" (Everyone) from the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board]] (ESRB) and "3+" from [[Pan European Game Information]] (PEGI).<ref name="gamezone"/> ''Digimon Racing''{{'}}s release fell on April 1, 2004, in Japan; April 30 in Europe; and September 13 in North America.<ref name="release">{{cite web|title=Digimon Racing for Game Boy Advance |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/digimon-racing/related/release/platform/gba/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123193601/http://www.gamespot.com/digimon-racing/related/release/platform/gba/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |access-date=March 22, 2010 }}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 62%<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|title=Digimon Racing (gba) reviews at Metacritic.com |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/digimonracing |access-date=March 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923104642/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/digimonracing |archive-date=September 23, 2008 }}</ref>
| 1UP = C<ref name="1UP">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105083332/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3135999&did=1 |archive-date=January 5, 2010 |title=Digimon Racing Review from 1UP.com |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |date=October 29, 2004 |last=Lee |first=Garnett |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3135999&did=1 |access-date=March 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Fam = 23/40<ref name="famitsu">{{cite magazine|title=デジモンレーシング|date=April 9, 2004|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=799}}</ref>
| GameZone = 7.4/10<ref name="gamezone">{{cite web|last=Lafferty|first=Michael|title=Digimon Racing Review|publisher=GameZone|date=June 18, 2004|url=http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23378_GBA.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123144924/http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23378_GBA.htm|archive-date=January 23, 2008|access-date=March 22, 2010}}</ref>
| IGN = 7/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|title=Digimon Racing - Game Boy Advance Review at IGN|publisher=IGN|last=Harris|first=Craig|author-link=|date=September 7, 2004|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/545/545214p1.html|access-date=March 22, 2010|archive-date=May 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528170132/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/545/545214p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| NP = 6.2/10<ref name="NP">{{cite magazine|title=Digimon Racing|date=October 2004|issue=184|page=124|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]}}</ref>
}}
''Digimon Racing'' received "mixed or average" reviews according to [[Metacritic]].<ref name="metacritic"/> Critics criticized the game for its close resemblance to other kart racers of the time. [[IGN]]'s Craig Harris and [[1UP.com]]'s Garnett Lee stated that ''Digimon Racing''{{'}}s gameplay mirrored that of ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'' and the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' series respectively.<ref name="1UP"/><ref name="IGN"/> Aside from the familiar format, critics praised specific aesthetic points such as the graphics and music (GameZone's Michael Lafferty)<ref name="gamezone"/> and the tracks' layouts and themes (Lee).<ref name="1UP"/> Aspects of the gameplay were also praised, such as control (Harris and Lee), multiplayer mode (Lee), replay value, and kart hopping (Harris).<ref name="1UP"/><ref name="IGN"/> ''Nintendo Power'' stated that "[t]he racing action is similar to that of other kart games, but the Digimon influence adds a fun gameplay edge."<ref name="NP"/> ''[[Famitsu]]''{{'}}s four reviewers gave the game scores of 5, 5, 7, and 6 out of 10, respectively, resulting in a total score of 23 out of 40.<ref name="famitsu"/> [[AllGame]]'s T.J. Deci gave the game three stars out of five, although he did not provide a more thorough review.<ref name="allgame"/>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061116114833/http://www.bandaigames.com/games/digimon_r.html Official site] (archive of [http://www.bandaigames.com/games/digimon_r.html the original])

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Digimon Racing}}
[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:Digimon spinoff games|Racing]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance-only games]]
[[Category:Griptonite Games]]
[[Category:Kart racing video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Racing video games]]
[[Category:Vehicular combat games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]