Cartoon Network Racing accelerates out of Game Factory and onto DS

Back in the 1980s there was a cartoon called Wacky Races. Loosely based on a film called The Great Race it drew together a selection of animated heroes from the day, gave them a set of wheels and let them loose in, well, wacky races.

Now it looks like the phenomenon is being resurrected for the noughties in the shape of Cartoon Network Racing. Except where once there was Penelope Pitstop and Dick Dastardly, we now have The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Dexter, Cow and Chicken, Courage the Cowardly Dog and I.M. Weasel.

Suffice to say each of the 'toons will be seated in a souped-up jalopy and have their own special powers to give them the edge as they speed around 16 circuits based upon famous cartoon locales.

There are a variety of game modes on offer, including time trials, versus matches and a full-on championship, plus a handful of exclusive DS bonus games that make use of the touch screen.

Whilst all can be played in single-player mode, it'll doubtless be the multiplayer options that offer most cartoon cheer, with up to eight players being able to vie for the chequered flag over wi-fi. Less competitive types can chose to join forces in a co-op mode with one player as driver and the other co-piloting.

The addition of toon coins earned via feats in the game and exchangeable for characters, upgrades and bonus games should help to draw the action out further too.

All-in-all it sounds like a viable heir to the Wacky Races throne. Let's just hope it doesn't fall foul of an oil slick or some othert dastardly plan before its October relase.