DESCRIPTION

Originally slated for the Linux-based Indrema console, Tux Racer is a racing title starring the Linux mascot, Tux the Penguin. Along with his friends Boris, Neva, and Samuel, Tux slides his way through a series of downhill courses while collecting herring and avoiding the many obstacles that dot the sloped tracks. Each character is capable of performing a jump maneuver that, when charged, propels the animal farther. The longer the button is held, the more the "EnergoMeter" that governs the strength of the jump increases. Players can compete in Practice or Cup events, the latter offering a gauntlet of courses for players to complete. The Cup events are made up of a series of three races, each with specific requirements such as time, herring collected, and score to achieve.

The score is based upon the amount of herring collected, as well as a comparison to the par time for the course. Four lives are provided to complete each Cup, with a life deducted for each unsuccessful race attempt. The Practice mode allows players to race on any course of their choosing, with customized options such as weather, time, and whether or not the course will be mirrored. The eighteen tracks offered encompass terrain that includes snow, ice, rock, and dirt. A Head-to-Head mode permits two players to compete against one another in split-screen competition. Tux Racer can be installed in one of five languages: French, Italian, German, Spanish and English. ~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide