Things on Wheels rolling up on XBLA next week

It's been a slow roll to the finish for Things on Wheels, Load Inc.'s R/C car racer for Xbox Live Arcade. The game was announced in early 2008 and, according to Load Inc., was completed in late January 2009. At that time, on its news feed, the developer made vague mention of an issue that had stalled the impending release of the title, but one "that should not change a thing in the future experience you'll have playing this fantastic game." Initially, SouthPeak was attached to the project as its publisher. Had the deal gone kaput?

Last September, Load Inc. quietly revealed that indie French publisher Focus Home Interactive (Blood Bowl, TrackMania) was now "looking after" Things on Wheels. Today, Focus Home Interactive announced that the game -- finally! -- would be released on XBLA this coming Wednesday, May 12, for 800

($10) -- alongside Rocket Knight. (We should note, the Things on Wheels Xbox.com listing currently displays a "TBD" release date. [Update: Xbox.com now confirms the May 12 release date.])

Things on Wheels is a miniature car racing game, not unlike Load Inc.'s 2007 XBLA release, Mad Tracks. ToW supports up to four players online or off and features a variety of around-the-house and through-the-park tracks. Noticeably absent: a nagging parent ordering players to pick up when they're finished.

Things on Wheels

Reader Comments (25)

$10? No thanks.

When's the last time you saw an arcade title for less than that?

Tons of 2009 releases.

Really?! No, I mean . . . REALLY?!?!?!?

Last year you lot were bitching about games NOT being $10 anymore, and now that a solid, non-retro port / original xbla game is . . . it's too much?

Admit it, you just have no interest in the game. That's really the only reason anyone would complain about it being $10.

Please, for the love of god, just tell me my sarcasm detector is on the fritz and you're just trying to be ironical?

You never heard me complaining about games not being $10. I like to get things as cheap as possible.

@ Spike - Come off it. There were maybe less than five XBLA games released at less than $10 last year, if any at all. Off the top of my head I can't think of a single one, not that I purchased anyway . . . And as someone with almost 140 XBLA games, I don't miss much.

Wolfenstein, Shinobi, Altered Beast, Comix Zone, Gunstar Heroes, Phantasy Star II, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3, Minesweeper Flags, Blazing Birds, 2K10 Draft.

I wouldn't pay $10 for that game.

Alright so three original 400 point games, and a handful of ports.

I didn't buy any of the three originals (two of which I played and found either awful or just boring per the trials, IMO - didn't touch NBA Draft), but I did buy Wolf3D, Gunstar, Comix Zone, Altered Beast, and Shinobi.

Mostly great ports too, but they're just that: Ports that I (and many others) have played time and time again. There were infinitely more amazing games released at $10 and $15 last year and the year before, and to not play them is to miss out on some of the best titles this generation . . .

@ WINterfang - The Maw was released at $10. It may be $5 now (I wouldn't know, I bought it at $10 because it was absolutely worth it and more), but who really gives a rat's bum. I don't want to wait a year to save a measly $5.

@Granger

I don't disagree with you there at all. Just saying even those originals and ports are better than what this will be. And yes there are much better $10 arcade games. Hence why I said no thanks to this being $10. It doesn't fall into the amazing category.

The Maw was recently on sale for 400 MSP but I'm not aware that it's permanently decreased in price.

I do agree with Granger though, it was definitely worth the 800 points.

As for 400 point games, I actually really enjoyed Blazing Birds last year. Would've been an excellent game if only it had online multiplayer.

@ Spike

Ok, since you are going to shit all over the game before it's even been released can you at least explain how you know this game will be worse than the ports and originals you previously listed?

Without an explanation for your point you sound like a whiny douche especially when digital content is being released at questionable price points all the time (MW2 map packs, etc.) So do you have some incite on the actual quality of this game sans price point? It may very well suck and everybody is entitled to their opinions...as long as they can back them up.

Can't you simply ask a question nicely? Why are whiny and douche the first 2 insults to be laid on the table?

Anyway I have seen the previews, videos, screenshots, etc. It just doesn't look worth it's listed price. I don't have to play a game to hold an opinion of it's quality. Every day on this site people make opinion solely based on what they have seen, before playing it.

That screenshot is enough for me.

If I want to race tiny cars I'll stick with Micro Machines on NES.

@ Spike

It wasn't an insult it was a description. I said you sounded like... Now that you explained the due diligence you did to form your opinion I have no problem with you not liking the game. I think they may even help out some people that were on the fence. You have definitely seen more about TOW than I have.

But lets not act like some Joystiqers don't just post about shit they have no clue about just to hop on a bandwagon or start controversy. Happens WAY too much.

I agree with you there entirely. Plenty of them. My apologies for misunderstanding and taking it as a statement. I can understand why you would come out questioning me on it though. I'll post more in depth opinion in the future to avoid these kinds of situations. I do suppose "$10? No thanks" isn't descriptive enough as to why.

Where the hell is Joyride?

I'll give the demo a try. I enjoyed Mad Tracks so if this one is decent, I'll probably pick it up.

I'm with you McMax, my kid has played Mad Trax for like 2 years now. I'll buy this to not hear those tunes again.

This reminds me of something. What ever happened to the avatar racing game? I remember it was suppose to be out by Christmas 09 but that's it.

Release date: TBD :(

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/j/joyridexboxlivearcade/

OT: Whatever happened to JoyRide?

Still around, I hope. Looked like a lot of (brainless, mind-numbing) fun!

My thoughts exactly when I saw this.

Looks ok, but how about porting over the awesomely awesome Re-volt to XBLA? Honestly... get on it, people.

Things on Wheels rolling up on XBLA next week

Things on Wheels

Reader Comments (25)

Posted: May 6th 2010 12:39PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said

Posted: May 6th 2010 12:45PM Acosta02 said

Posted: May 6th 2010 12:48PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said

Posted: May 6th 2010 12:48PM Granger said

Posted: May 6th 2010 12:50PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said

Posted: May 6th 2010 12:51PM Granger said

Posted: May 6th 2010 12:56PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:06PM Phenomenology AkA Sixx Brother t said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:10PM Granger said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:12PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:23PM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:41PM Odog4ever said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:45PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:47PM Phenomenology AkA Sixx Brother t said

Posted: May 6th 2010 2:07PM Odog4ever said

Posted: May 6th 2010 2:10PM Spike Spiegel Humble Bounty Hun said

Posted: May 6th 2010 7:05PM delicatessen lama said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:25PM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: May 6th 2010 4:11PM krash411 said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:30PM (Unverified) said

Posted: May 6th 2010 3:12PM yipcanjo said

Posted: May 6th 2010 1:42PM majg said

Posted: May 6th 2010 3:09PM yipcanjo said

Posted: May 6th 2010 5:22PM Mouthsmasher said

Posted: May 6th 2010 3:08PM yipcanjo said

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