F1 Racing Championship

Similar to Racing Simulation 2, the player can choose between individual races or the full season.[5] F1 Racing Championship contains several playable game modes: Single, Arcade, Grand Prix (training, qualifications and warm-ups)[5] and Time Attack.[6] Another thing akin to RS 2 is the ghost mode, with an available free route choice.[5] The goal is to set the best time whenever possible, helped by the artificial intelligence controlled Ghost.[5] The Ghost is a transparent figure that drives the current best time, either by default, or the one set by the player previously.[5] It can be helpful for new players to learn braking and acceleration points better or develop a curve driving style.[5] Overall, the game features 22 drivers from 11 teams, and 16 tracks used in the 1999 Formula One World Championship.[6] The multiplayer relies on local area network integration, supporting 22 players to compete simultaneously.[7] A two player split screen mode is also included.[7]

As a sim racing game, it focuses heavily on realism, allowing the management of every vehicle parameter.[8][6] Different cars will accordingly behave in its own way.[5] The interface tries to emulate TV banners, showing the distance between the vehicles, both in front and behind.[8] The opponent drivers were made to resemble their counterparts' performance from 1999, and can make more or less mistakes.[8] A number of driving aids can be used, from anti-lock braking system, steering/braking aid to ideal racing line display.[5] During the races, there is always a chance the player can set the vehicle on fire, or lose the control during sudden accelerations at the curves.[6] The tires are subject to wearing off over the time.[6] Thanks to Ubisoft having the official FIA license at the time,[5] all stages were fully replicated from the real-life tracks, including the whole circuit layout and decorations.[6]

In the PlayStation version, an offer exists between arcade and simulation, the latter being divided into two physics variants.[2] In arcade, the physics are more lenient as the turning is made easier, while slamming into other vehicles doesn't inflict any damage.[2] As the player passes each opponent, a specific number of points is received. The game rewards clean takeovers with more points.[2] All tracks are slowly unlocked through separate difficulty sets.[2] Once the race is decided to be played, a Free Session can be opened for testing the setup. A new mode, School, aims to teach the positioning and braking/acceleration points on any track available.[9] It has a horizontal bar with a middle vertical line, and the closer the car gets to the braking point, the yellow bar begins to fill more. When it hits the line, it will change to red.[2]

The team of 12 people developed the game in Revenge engine, whose creation took about a year.[7] It allows the integrated circuit terrain to have a big influence on driving by calculating physical parameters.[7] Every detail found in the game has been modeled through GPS, resulting in faithful recreations.[8] Since all circuits have been filmed in 360 degrees, even the smallest things have been inserted in with a depth of field of one kilometer.[7]

Official UK PlayStation Magazine said the PlayStation version was "a playable game, spoiled by sloppy presentation".[14] In Japan, where the PlayStation 2 version was ported and published by Video System on July 26, 2001, Famitsu gave it a score of 25 out of 40.[11]

• F1 Racing Championship at MobyGames
• F1 Racing Championship (Game Boy Color) at MobyGames