Editing Unirally

{{short description|1994 video game}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Unirally
| image = SNES Uniracers cover art.jpg
| caption = Cover art by David Harto
| developer = [[DMA Design]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| designer = [[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]]<br />Robbie Graham
| programmer = Andrew Innes
| artist = Martin Good
| writer = Steve Hammond
| composer = Colin Anderson
| platforms = [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|December 1994<ref name="SNESGames">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com:80/consumer/gameslist/manuals/snes_games.pdf|title=Super NES Games|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920223937/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/snes_games.pdf|archive-date=20 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>|EU|27 April 1995}}
| genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Unirally''''' (released as '''''Uniracers''''' in North America) is a [[racing game]] developed by [[DMA Design]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] in North America in December 1994 and in the PAL territories on 27 April 1995.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:SNES Uniracers (Unirally).png|thumb|left|Gameplay screenshot.]]
The gameplay of ''Unirally'' involves racing riderless [[unicycle]]s around a 2D track.<ref name="URmanual">''Uniracers'' instruction booklet (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, US)</ref> Heavy emphasis is placed on performing stunts, which cause the unicycle to accelerate on race or circuit tracks and earn points on stunt tracks. The stunts that can be performed are relatively simple, primarily involving jumping into the air and rotating around a given [[Coordinate axis|axis]] in 3D space. The objective is to perform these stunts quickly in tight situations while landing the unicycle on its wheels to avoid wiping out, which results in the loss of accumulated speed.

The game features nine tours of five tracks each (two [[Racing|race]], two [[circuit (racing)|circuit]], one [[stunt]]), totalling 45 tracks. Completing each of the first eight tours requires defeating computer-controlled opponents for each of the bronze, silver, and gold ranks. The final circuit features the Anti-Uni as the computer-controlled opponent. During this tour, colliding with the Anti-Uni causes several unusual effects, such as rendering the track invisible, reversing controls, and desynchronising the backgrounds from the actions.

The track is composed of bars with patterns that correspond to the properties of the track at or near that point. For example, a solid yellow bar indicates a shortcut, while orange/yellow bars signify an upcoming hazard. There are also various obstacles, including speed boosts, corkscrews, loops, twists, and jumps. [[split screen (computer graphics)|Split-screen]] two-player modes are available as well, including a league mode that allows up to eight players to compete in one-on-one races. There are 16 different coloured unicycles to choose from, each with its own save file and customisable name.

== Development and release ==
''Unirally'' was known by the working title "1x1" during its development. The developers practised riding real unicycles throughout their offices to enhance their understanding of the mechanics.<ref name="NLife">{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/03/feature_the_making_of_unirally|title=Feature: The Making of Unirally - Whoever said two wheels are better than one didn't experience this wholly unique racing title|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|publisher=Nlife Media|date=9 March 2010|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527094352/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/03/feature_the_making_of_unirally|archive-date=27 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Lawsuit ===
Shortly after the game's release, DMA Design was [[sued]] by [[Pixar]] for allegedly copying the unicycle design and concept from their 1987 short film ''[[Red's Dream]]''. [[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]], one of the developers at DMA Design, commented, "The problem with Pixar was that they seemed to think that any computer generated unicycle was owned by them". DMA Design lost the lawsuit, and as a result, Nintendo had to terminate production of additional ''Unirally'' cartridges. According to Dailly, "The deal was that Nintendo wouldn't make any more carts, so ''Unirally'' only sold the 300k initial run". Fellow DMA Design developer Robbie Graham recalled, "They took footage from Red's Dream and compared it to ''Unirally'' and the unicycles were virtually the same; this isn't a big surprise as there's not a lot of ways you can bring life to a unicycle without looking like the one Pixar did. The judge—being the moron that he was—agreed".<ref name="NLife"/>

The limited sales were one of the factors that led to DMA Design being sold to British video game company [[Gremlin Interactive]], and then quickly again to American publisher [[Take-Two Interactive]], to become a subsidiary of [[Rockstar Games]].<ref name="AT">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/06/a-reason-to-hate-pixar-uniracers-on-the-snes-is-a-masterpiece/#comments |title=A reason to hate Pixar: Uniracers on the SNES is a masterpiece |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |author=Andrew Webster |date=June 15, 2011 |access-date=November 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241102131222/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/06/a-reason-to-hate-pixar-uniracers-on-the-snes-is-a-masterpiece/?comments-page=1%23comments&gsc.tab=0 |archive-date=November 2, 2024 }}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|GR         = 79%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588824-uniracers/index.html|title=Uniracers for Super Nintendo|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=2019|access-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011031/https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588824-uniracers/index.html|archive-date=9 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Allgame    = 4/5<ref name="AGur">{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Brett Alan|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7273&tab=review|title=Uniracers - Review|work=[[AllGame]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]]|date=1998|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114211652/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7273&tab=review|archive-date=14 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
|CVG        = 87/100<ref name="CVGur">{{cite magazine|last=Skews|first=Rik|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ACVG_UK_159.pdf&page=78|title=CVG Review: Unirally|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=159|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=February 1995|page=78|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723190051/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:CVG_UK_159.pdf&page=78|url-status=live}}</ref>
|EGM        = 5.5/10<ref name="EGMur">{{cite magazine|last1=Semrad|first1=Ed|last2=Carpenter|first2=Danyon|last3=Manuel|first3=Al|last4=Williams|first4=Ken|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:EGM_US_067.pdf&page=32|title=Review Crew - Uniracers|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=67|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=February 1995|page=32|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723190044/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:EGM_US_067.pdf&page=32|url-status=live}}</ref>
|GamePro    = 14.5/20<ref name="GameProur">{{cite magazine|last=Larry|first=Scary|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AGamePro_US_068.pdf&page=74|title=ProReview: Uniracers|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=68|publisher=[[IDG]]|date=March 1995|page=72|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723191347/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_068.pdf&page=74|url-status=live}}</ref>
|GMaster    = 89%<ref name="GMur">{{cite magazine|last=Kirrane|first=Simon|title=Reviews - Unirally|magazine=[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]|issue=26|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=February 1995|pages=58–59}}</ref>
|JXV        = 13/20<ref name="JXVur">{{cite web|author=A_Bkdm|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015203-uniracers-test.htm|title=Test de Unirally sur SNES par jeuxvideo.com|work=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|publisher=[[Webedia]]|date=17 June 2011|access-date=23 July 2020|language=fr|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723190051/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015203-uniracers-test.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|NGen       = 3/5<ref name="NGenur">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-003/Next_Generation_Issue_003_March_1995#page/n106/mode/1up|title=Finals - Uniracers|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=March 1995|page=103|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104232442/https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-003/Next_Generation_Issue_003_March_1995#page/n106/mode/1up|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|NP         = 3.425/5<ref name="NPur">{{cite magazine|title=Now Playing - Uniracers|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=67|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=December 1994|page=102}}</ref>
|rev1       = ''[[:fr:Consoles +|Consoles +]]''
|rev1Score  = 85%<ref name="C+ur">{{cite magazine|last=Garnier|first=François|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Consoles%20Plus/consoleplus_numero040/Consoles%20%2B%20040%20-%20Page%20104%20%28f%C3%A9vrier%201995%29.jpg|title=Super NES Review - Unirally|magazine=[[:fr:Consoles +|Consoles +]]|issue=40|publisher=[[:fr:M.E.R.7|M.E.R.7]]|date=February 1995|page=104|lang=fr|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009000306/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Consoles%20Plus/consoleplus_numero040/Consoles%20%2B%20040%20-%20Page%20104%20%28f%C3%A9vrier%201995%29.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev2       = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
|rev2Score  = B−<ref name="EWur">{{cite magazine|last=Strauss|first=Bob|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/01/27/uniracers/|title=Uniracers|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|issue=259|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|date=27 January 1995|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref>
|rev3       = ''[[:de:M! Games|MAN!AC]]''
|rev3Score  = 77%<ref name="M!ur">{{cite magazine|last=Ehrle|first=Oliver|url=https://archive.org/stream/MANIAC.N020.1995.06/MANIAC.N020.1995.06-DURiAN_Searchable#page/n73/mode/1up|title=Spiele-Tests: Unirally|magazine=[[:de:M! Games|MAN!AC]]|issue=20|publisher=Cybermedia|date=June 1995|page=74|lang=de|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129120834/https://archive.org/stream/MANIAC.N020.1995.06/MANIAC.N020.1995.06-DURiAN_Searchable#page/n73/mode/1up|archive-date=29 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev4       = ''[[:de:Mega Fun|Mega Fun]]''
|rev4Score  = 81%<ref name="MFur">{{cite magazine|last1=Noak|first1=Philipp|last2=Appel|first2=Markus|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=2890|title=Test Super Nintendo: Unirally|magazine=[[:de:Mega Fun|Mega Fun]]|issue=31|publisher=[[:de:Computec Media Group|CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG]]|date=April 1995|pages=36–38|lang=de|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921143400/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=2890|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev5       = ''[[:de:Play Time|Play Time]]''
|rev5Score  = 82/100<ref name="PTur">{{cite magazine|last=Schneider|first=Ulf|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8e/PlayTime_DE_1995-05.pdf|title=Minimal-Raserei - Unirally|magazine=[[:de:Play Time|Play Time]]|issue=47|publisher=[[:de:Computec Media Group|CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG]]|date=May 1995|pages=110–112|lang=de|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009000306/https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8e/PlayTime_DE_1995-05.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev6       = ''[[:fr:Player One (magazine)|Player One]]''
|rev6Score  = 92%<ref name="POur">{{cite magazine|last=Lassale|first=Guillaume|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=32&num=1916&album=oui|title=Tests: Unirally|magazine=[[:fr:Player One (magazine)|Player One]]|issue=53|publisher=[[:fr:Média Système Édition|Média Système Édition]]|date=May 1995|pages=66–68|lang=fr|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920011825/http://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=32&num=1916&album=oui|archive-date=20 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev7       = ''[[:es:Superjuegos|Superjuegos]]''
|rev7Score  = 94/100<ref name="SJur">{{cite magazine|last=Sanz|first=Juan Carlos|url=https://archive.org/stream/Superjuegos_036#page/n29/mode/2up|title=Equilibrio Sobre Una Rueda - Unirally|magazine=[[:es:Superjuegos|Superjuegos]]|issue=36|publisher=[[:es:Grupo Zeta|Grupo Zeta]]|date=April 1995|pages=30–33|lang=es}}</ref>
|rev8       = ''[[:de:Total (Zeitschrift)|Total!]]''
|rev8Score  = 2+ (B+)<ref name="T!ur">{{cite magazine|last=Feldmann|first=Maris|url=https://total.bee-ware.ch/tests/snes/snes_Unirally.jpg|title=Test - Unirally|magazine=[[:de:Total (Zeitschrift)|Total!]]|issue=25|publisher=X-Plain-Verlag|date=June 1995|pages=20–21|lang=de|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=29 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429105135/http://total.bee-ware.ch/tests/snes/snes_Unirally.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev9       = ''[[:fr:Nintendo Player|Ultra Player]]''
|rev9Score  = 5/6<ref name="UltraPlayerur">{{cite magazine|last=De Steene|first=Julien Van|title=Selection - Unirally|magazine=[[:fr:Nintendo Player|Ultra Player]]|issue=29|publisher=[[:fr:Média Système Édition|Média Système Édition]]|date=May–June 1995|pages=20–23|lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev10      = ''[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]]''
|rev10Score = 74%<ref name="VGur">{{cite magazine|last=Barysch|first=Jan|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=10022|title=Super Nintendo - Reviews: Einerlei - Uniracers|magazine=[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]]|issue=41|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=April 1995|page=113|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=9 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009000311/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=10022|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev11      = ''[[VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|VideoGames]]''
|rev11Score = 8/10<ref name="VGTUGMur">{{cite magazine|last=Bieniek|first=Chris|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_74_March_1995#page/n63/mode/1up|title=Power Reviews: Uniracers - "...frantic, funny and faster than a speeding bullet."|magazine=[[VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine]]|issue=74|publisher=[[Larry Flynt Publications]]|date=March 1995|page=62|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104223412/https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_74_March_1995#page/n63/mode/1up|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

''[[GamePro]]'' gave a mixed review. They praised its fast pace and "hard-drivin' unicycle music" but criticised the sound effects and graphics, noting that the backgrounds are clean but boring and the unicycles "all look identical". They concluded that players should "try this addictive game".<ref name="GameProur"/> A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' similarly stated that ''Unirally'' is innovative and oddly compelling despite its superficial dullness, but noted that the excitement and novelty of the game diminish quickly.<ref name="NGenur"/> Ed Semrad of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' remarked, "While it lacks the charm of most ... Nintendo titles, there is bound to be a cult following". However, the other three members of the magazine's review crew gave ''Unirally'' a negative assessment, stating that while the graphics and controls are good, the game simply lacks excitement.<ref name="EGMur"/> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' rated the game a B−.<ref name="EWur"/>

=== Accolades === 
''[[Nintendo Power]]'' ranked it as the 8th best SNES game of 1994.<ref name="NP">{{cite magazine|title=Top Games of 1994|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=68|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=January 1995|page=4}}</ref> In 2011, ''[[IGN]]'' named it the 98th best game for the system.<ref name="IGNur">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games/98|title=Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - #98: Uniracers|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=27 August 2011|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126144646/https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games/98|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, [[Complex Networks|Complex]] rated the game the 52nd best Super Nintendo game, stating: "Loops, flips, tricks, ''Uniracers'' had it all. It was a bona fide SNES game, with the colors, fun, and music that made the system great. We love this game."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Rich|date=30 April 2018|title=The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/|access-date=4 February 2022|website=Complex|language=en|archive-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116111038/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1995, [[Total!]] placed the game 23rd on its Top 100 SNES Games, writing: "It's bizarre, but it works and unusually it's superb in both one player and two player modes".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1995 |title=Top 100 SNES Games |url=https://archive.org/details/total-43/page/n41/mode/2up |journal=Total! |issue=43 |pages=43 |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref> In 1996, [[Super Play]] awarded ''Unirally'' 97th place in their Top 100 SNES Games of All Time. They praised the game’s original gameplay and graphics, writing: "The enjoyment of hammering around loops and twirls is heightened by the split-screen two-player mode, which makes all the difference".<ref name="SP42">{{cite magazine |date=April 1996 |title=The Super Play All-time top 100 SNES games |magazine=[[Super Play]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=42 |page=}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/588824-uniracers ''Unirally''] at [[GameFAQs]]
* [https://www.giantbomb.com/uniracers/3030-16228 ''Unirally''] at [[Giant Bomb]]
* [https://www.mobygames.com/game/8085/uniracers ''Unirally''] at [[MobyGames]]

{{Rockstar North}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|United Kingdom|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uniracers}}
[[Category:1994 video games]]
[[Category:DMA Design games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Racing video games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System-only games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games involved in plagiarism controversies]]