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Mario Kart? Forza? I’m Good With Armadillo Racing, Thanks
Namco’s 1997 arcade oddity Armadillo Racing has been re-released for modern consoles through Hamster Corporation’s Arcade Archives range. The article argues that this unusual revival is a notable moment for racing-game fans because it makes a previously inaccessible cult game available at home, alongside higher-profile releases such as Forza Horizon 6 and Mario Kart World.
Players race by rolling armadillos around courses, originally using a large arcade trackball cabinet. The new version includes Original, Time Attack, Hi-Score and Caravan modes, supports trackball peripherals, and launched on 23 July for Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
In short
- Cult arcade game Armadillo Racing reaches consoles for the first time.
- The 1997 racer has players control rolling armadillos.
- Modern release includes extra modes and trackball support.
Explained simply
Arcade games in the 1990s were often built around unusual controls and ideas that were difficult to reproduce at home. Armadillo Racing, made by Namco in 1997, is a racing game in which players steer rolling armadillos using a large trackball.
Hamster Corporation’s Arcade Archives range brings older arcade games to modern consoles, often making rare titles easier to play outside an arcade. This release sits alongside better-known racing series such as Forza and Mario Kart, and gives players a way to try a less familiar part of gaming history.
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