Common Sense Media Review
By Paul Semel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Simple but fun racer brings surprising challenge.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Rival Gears Racing
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
In RIVAL GEARS RACING, cars can now float, but car ownership isn't allowed. But people still feel the need for speed, so some would-be racers build their own floating cars so they can use them in illegal street races -- which is where you come in. Using simple touch controls, you have to weave in and out of traffic so you can beat the competition to the finish line, which gives you money you can use to buy new cars or parts for your old ones so you can go even faster, win more races, and so on and so on.
Is It Any Good?
While this futuristic racing game may be too simple for serious drivers, it manages to be more fun and challenging than you might expect. In Rival Gears Racing, you use a floating race car to engage in a series of illegal street races that take place on busy city roads. Which means you not only have to drive fast, you also have to avoid all the little old ladies going to the supermarket. But unlike most racing games, this doesn't require that you steer so much as pick a lane. Using buttons on the left and right of the screen, you have to decide when to change lanes, and in which direction, so you don't slam into the back of some other driver. But while this may sound overly simplistic, it's actually rather challenging and addictive in a way that not only recalls such classic arcade racing games as Pole Position but also such music games as Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Well, except that the music in this game is terrible and you can't turn it off. It also seems odd that you have to bet on yourself sometimes or that you can earn gobs of in-game cash by watching ads for other games, way more than you usually do. Still, if you're a fan of racing and are looking for something that's fun but a bit less complicated, Rival Gars Racing will satisfy your need ... your need for virtually recreated speed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about budgeting their money. Do you really need to spend money on this game, or can you just use the cars and parts you earn by playing?
Talk about automotive safety. In this game, you have to drive fast, as well as weave in and out of traffic; would this be safe in real life?
Discuss simplicity over complexity. Does this game work because it's simple? How can you apply that concept to your life?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : April 3, 2017
- Genre : Racing Games
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks )
- Publisher : ShortRound Games
- Version : 1.0.8
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 7.0 or later; Android 4.0.3 and up
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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