Blown Away or Ripped Off? Xbox's 'Anti-Gravity Racing' is Basically WipEout, and Not in a Good Way
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Digital Foundry discovered that 'Anti-Gravity Racing' on the Xbox store is basically an emulated version of WipEout with some dodgy modifications, and they recommend giving it a miss. It highlights the importance of respecting IP and delivering quality retro revivals.
Right, so you know that feeling when you find a retro gem on a modern console? Well, buckle up, because this one's a bit dodgy. Digital Foundry's John Linneman (bless his analytical heart) took a dive into a recent Xbox store release called 'Anti-Gravity Racing,' and fair dinkum, what he found was... interesting. (Read: potentially a bit of a con.)
According to Eurogamer's Digital Foundry, 'Anti-Gravity Racing' isn't exactly a new IP. It's more like someone found a dusty old PS1 disc of WipEout, shoved it into an emulator, and slapped a fresh coat of (slightly off-brand) paint on it. We're talking blatant emulation, mate. The kind where the initial menu is basically just the emulator config screen. You can fiddle with resolution, widescreen settings – all the hallmarks of a slapped-together PS1 emulator. But what about the actual game?
Things get weirder. The game appears to use assets, and even a remade version of the intro, from the original game. Benjamin Brosdau created a remake of the original CG introduction in 2021, and his work is included in this new release. It also apparently uses licensed music. Did the makers of 'Anti-Gravity Racing' (LLS Games, apparently) get the rights to WipEout and its soundtrack? Digital Foundry (and yours truly) reckon that's highly unlikely.
The 'Anti-Gravity Racing' version of Wipeout 3 is even stranger. It's based on the PAL version, which originally ran at 25fps. But someone cranked it up to 60Hz, meaning the game runs faster than it's supposed to. It's like your nan accidentally overclocked your CPU.
Digital Foundry’s findings suggest that it looks like the developers injected textures to replace key assets, such as removing references to Psygnosis. One interesting addition is the render to texture billboards. This addition may not have been in the original release of the game.
So, what's the takeaway? Well, seeing a classic like WipEout on a modern console *should* be awesome. But this ain't it, chief. It's a janky, poorly optimized emulation that does a disservice to the original. Linneman points to the fan-made Phantom Edition PC port as an example of how to properly revive a classic, using the original game data to create a massively enhanced experience. That keeps things legal, respects the original, and delivers a vastly superior product.
The big question is: how did this even get onto the Xbox store? It's potentially reminiscent of the 'War Gods: Zeus of Child' incident – a dodgy Kratos knock-off that slipped through the cracks. Microsoft has been contacted for comment, so we'll see how long 'Anti-Gravity Racing' sticks around.
Look, I'm all for bringing back retro games, but not like this. If you're itching for some anti-gravity racing action, maybe fire up your old PlayStation or wait for a *proper* remaster. This 'Anti-Gravity Racing' thing? Give it a wide berth.
Tags: WipEout, Xbox, Emulation, Retro Gaming, Digital Foundry
Original article: Eurogamer