To coincide with the forthcoming Wachowski-directed film, Warner Bros. Interactive has announced a Speed Racer game to come to PS2, Wii and the DS in 2008, with
Gripshift developer Sidhe set to create the console versions of the title.
Warner Bros. has released few details of the game thus far, only saying players will of course take on the role of the movie/franchise's characters, "getting behind the wheels of each character’s signature vehicles to experience firsthand the film’s high-adrenaline, combative racing style."
The, as Warner puts it, "car-fu style of action" is promised to closely resemble the style of the film itself, with directors the Wachowski brothers (of Matrix fame) and effects designer John Gaeta (
previously featured on Gamasutra and best known for his 'bullet time' effect) both collaborating with Sidhe with assets and direction.
The forthcoming film is a live-action take on the classic animated series, and will star Emile Hirsch (“Alpha Dog”) as Speed, Christina Ricci (“Black Snake Moan”) as Trixie and Matthew Fox (TV’s “Lost”) as Racer X, as well as Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (“Dead Man Walking”) and John Goodman (“Evan Almighty”) as Mom and Pops Racer.
Said Warner development and production senior VP Samantha Ryan, “Speed Racer is an exceptionally creative property and teamed with the Wachowski brothers’ vision it makes for action-packed racing gameplay. The game will capture the intensity of the racing in the film to give gamers and movie fans a chance to take the wheel after they experience the film.”
