Speed Kings

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Acclaim
  • Release Date: May 28, 2003
Speed Kings Image
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

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  • Summary: It will take nerves of steel and lightning fast reflexes to make your way through these crowded streets. Speed Kings is about the pure unadulterated adrenaline rush of the street motorcycle racing...the speed, the danger, the risk, the buzz and of course, the bikes! Power-down slideIt will take nerves of steel and lightning fast reflexes to make your way through these crowded streets. Speed Kings is about the pure unadulterated adrenaline rush of the street motorcycle racing...the speed, the danger, the risk, the buzz and of course, the bikes! Power-down slide underneath lorries, jump over road works, avoid major wipe-out crashes from the on-coming traffic and gain as many respect points as possible...make sure you look good when you cross the winning line! Features 22 bikes based on production and custom real world models, 3 single player modes and 5 multiplayer options, Arcade-style handling and control. [Acclaim]… Expand
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E3 2003Speed Kings Trailer 1 - Direct Feed

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    Not a masterpiece, but it has something nailed that so many games seem to lack: it's fun. Lots of fun. Seriously. [July 2003, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Gamezilla!
    79
    It certainly isn’t the most polished title I’ve seen, but they do a few things right, a few special things that make this a game worth playing.
  3. GameSpot
    76
    Even though Speed Kings doesn't stray very far from the "Burnout 2" formula, it's a solid racer that does a great job of conveying an insanely fast sense of speed and requires you to think and react in an instant.
  4. Yahoo!
    60
    There's only so many tricks one can do on a bike cruising at 120mph. Variety is absolutely required, and there's not much in Speed Kings. And the trick control is not responsive enough.
  5. IGN
    55
    There's nothing that Speed Kings does that Burnout 2 doesn't smoke right off the line in every way possible. Physics, speed, track design, opponent AI, handling, graphics, audio -- Speed Kings really offers much, much less for your money.
  6. Eurogamer
    50
    Speed Kings is vaguely entertaining, and certainly there are worse racers, but with "Burnout 2" and "Midnight Club II" to compete with, it's as if Climax couldn't see the point.
  7. PSX Nation
    40
    Stick with "Burnout 2: Point of Impact” for all your risk-vs.-reward arcade racing needs, and leave Speed Kings for some other schmuck that doesn’t know any better to test-crash on his/her own.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. JustinS.
    Jun 16, 2003
    9
    The game is really fun i think. The only thing that bothers me is that there is no map on your screen and that you dont have a trick list to The game is really fun i think. The only thing that bothers me is that there is no map on your screen and that you dont have a trick list to look off of. They expect you to do tricks that you dont even know how to do.… Expand
  2. ScottW.
    Jun 5, 2003
    8
    I hate that I read GameSpot's review, however, it is spot on. A good game that I have played for about 6 hours, so far. Decent graphics, I hate that I read GameSpot's review, however, it is spot on. A good game that I have played for about 6 hours, so far. Decent graphics, blazing speed with rare slow-down when a lot is happening on the screen, all at once. This game is arcadey and the camera moves around behind your motorcycle as you turn, making it odd at first, but easy to get used to quickly. The crashes are ok and somewhat cool - I have seen some really nice crashes, but most are the same 'ol same 'ol. I don't know what to say about the trick system. It's good and then it's not. It's still fun and you only have to learn two or three tricks and then you get the POWERBAND. Awwww, yeaaaaahhh. Nice. Overall, a fun game with an arcadey feel (just like Burnout 2) with ok crashes and a GREAT sense of SPEED. The replay does not show the whole race and this has had me bent a few times because I wanted to see a crash that happened 1/2 - 3/4 through the race, however, the replay just stops. Oh yeah... the soundtrack stinks.… Expand
  4. oldgamer81
    Mar 18, 2021
    8
    A very fun racer, maybe the best street motocycle racer on PS (there are not many). What I like is that the game is pretty little frustrating:A very fun racer, maybe the best street motocycle racer on PS (there are not many). What I like is that the game is pretty little frustrating: Even though you crash often and sometimes unpredictable, your back on the street in no time and able to catch up. AND the opponents crash even more often that you do, if you watch out to ride on the right side of the street. The traffic, the little fighting, the tricks and "powerband" and the extra-challenges (e.G. ko for 6 opponents while racing) spice up the whole experience. And even if I normally don't like the rubberband effect, here it is done right. It is as balanced that you and the opponents can catch up from time to time, giving more chances to fight, but it not as strong that all racers are allways in one pack together or effects alike.
    Maybe the game might be a bit short and have not enough replay value.    … Expand
  5. VarunB.
    Aug 11, 2005
    7
    Not magnificent...but an overall fun bike racing game for the PS2...with plenty unlockables, this could keep you busy for a while. A good Not magnificent...but an overall fun bike racing game for the PS2...with plenty unlockables, this could keep you busy for a while. A good game to play if you have a few hours to kill.… Expand

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