Mashed
- April 24, 2014
- Supersonic Software
Get on Steam"Mashed" is a top-down racing game that offers single-player and local multi-player modes for up to four players. The game features 13 tracks and nine hi-tech weapons to use against opponents, including machine guns, missiles, and flamethrowers. Players can compete in "all-against-all" mode or collaborate with friends in team mode.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation 2
Xbox
Reviews
- A fantastic party game that provides endless fun when played with friends, reminiscent of classic titles like Micro Machines.
- Offers a unique blend of racing and combat mechanics, making for chaotic and entertaining gameplay.
- Nostalgic value for many players who enjoyed it during their childhood, with simple controls and engaging multiplayer modes.
- The game suffers from numerous technical issues, including a problematic camera, bugs, and crashes on modern systems.
- Lacks features found in the 'Fully Loaded' edition, such as additional tracks and improved gameplay mechanics.
- Single-player experience is less engaging, with frustrating AI and a racing system that halts gameplay when players get too far apart.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of classic top-down racing mechanics with a variety of modes, including time trials and survival challenges, which can be engaging for retro gaming fans. However, players note that the experience can become repetitive quickly, and some mechanics, such as the race ending when a player pulls too far ahead, detract from the overall enjoyment. While the game offers a nostalgic thrill and a range of multiplayer options, its dated graphics and awkward controls may leave some players wanting more.
“The core gameplay is simple and classic - you drive around each track (usually with 3 other opponents - AI or human) and try to avoid getting left off the screen.”
“There's a simple thrill and sense of fun in the gameplay that should appeal to any retro gamer or fan of top-down racers.”
“Once you’ve found a niche map you love, you could test it out in time trial mode to get a handle on some of those trickier corners and then take the action to up to three other players or computer-driven bots in a suite of gameplay objectives such as your standard demo-derby affair where points are lost for having your car destroyed and gained for not being similarly incapacitated - survival mode, where you simply need to stay intact for a number of laps against an onslaught from the other cars to win, fugitive mode, where you must either non-lethally pin a single car from escaping you, a boss battle feature where you do deadly battle with a circling helicopter – and these are just the surface of the gameplay options, the many, many other exciting modes which would simply take far too long to mention and describe all of, so you will just need to experience them for yourself.”
“Difficult gameplay.”
“Whoever made this port clearly chopped up some of the main mechanics of the game.”
“The rest of the gameplay is also quite uninspired (controls, physics, tracks, dated graphics), the worst bit being the race mode where the game stops when you pull 50m ahead of your opponent for a short score tally and a restart - about as close to racing as a congested motorway.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated but still hold up reasonably well for a title from 2004, with some players expressing nostalgia for the original visuals. While the graphics may not impress by modern standards, they are deemed acceptable for casual gameplay, and adjustments in graphic card settings can enhance the experience. Overall, the visuals are seen as a minor drawback compared to the enjoyable gameplay and nostalgic value.
“Mashed is a great nostalgic game from my childhood, and I would love to see a remake or sequel in modern graphics.”
“Love the graphics of this old game and the control of the cars is just right, great game to pass a few hours with.”
“The 2004 graphics hold up remarkably well (especially considering the distance from which you view the car models), and the game will run perfectly on virtually any modern system.”
“32-bit graphics mode doesn't work, only 16-bit.”
“The graphics are dated but alright; the sound is neither obnoxious nor engaging.”
“If you have multiple controllers and enough friends, this game is very entertaining, but the graphics are outdated and the menu looks janky throughout the whole process.”
- stability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of crashes, glitches, and a clunky interface that detracts from the experience. Players have experienced issues such as cars getting stuck or flipping unexpectedly, and some have reported that the game fails to launch on certain systems. While it retains some nostalgic value, the overall consensus is that the PC version is plagued by bugs that need significant attention.
“If you want your computer to crash and restart, buy this buggy junk.”
“Sadly, the interface is clunky and there are a ton of glitches in the maps that send your car flying as if you hit a wall.”
“Doesn't launch (Windows 10, Ryzen 3600, GTX 970), PC freezes.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its chaotic gameplay, featuring janky physics and amusing AI behavior that leads to unexpected and hilarious moments. Players enjoy the witty insults exchanged during competition, making it a perfect party game that fosters both camaraderie and rivalry. Overall, the game delivers a blend of thrilling action and comedic elements that enhance the multiplayer experience.
“The weapon power-ups are fun and make for some hilarious moments.”
“From the slightly janky physics which occasionally bugs out in hilarious ways, to the devious after-death missile you can throw at your opponents, this is a perfect party game and a perfect way to both make friends and hate friends!”
“Surprisingly funny writing in the insults that are traded back and forth between the competitors as well!”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its frustrating fugitive missions, which feel overly challenging and punishing due to a lack of manual saving options, leading to potential loss of progress. Players find the narrative unengaging, as it primarily revolves around repetitive single-player missions that serve as a prelude to multiplayer features. Overall, the story fails to captivate, with difficulty spikes detracting from the experience.
“The fugitive missions are among the most try-hard missions I've come across, and it's a great prank that you lose all progress unless you turn on 'auto saving' in the options, because although the option would imply so, there's no manual saving I know of.”
“Difficulty seemed okay, until about 10 events in or so (the first 'intercept' mission), at which point I simply could no longer catch up to the other vehicles.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be poorly optimized for Windows 10 and 11, leading to performance issues that hinder a smooth gaming experience.
“Not optimized for Windows 10 and 11.”
“The game suffers from severe performance issues on modern systems.”
“Frequent frame drops and stuttering make it unplayable at times.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game, while noted to have some bugs and missing elements, still contributes positively to the overall experience, enhancing the enjoyment of playing with friends. Players appreciate how it complements the game's atmosphere alongside other audio and visual elements.
“The way the cars behave, the way the weapons behave, the graphics, the sounds, and the music—everything is just fantastic.”
“Even with the bugs and missing music, this was so worth it even for just one or two evenings with friends on the couch.”
“The way the cars behave, the way the weapons behave, the graphics, the sounds and music, everything.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability through its diverse "challenge cup" campaign mode, which features a variety of maps and gamemodes that unlock additional content as players progress. Its quick-paced gameplay and simple controls make it accessible for short play sessions, while the extensive content ensures players will find new experiences each time they play. Despite its age, the game remains engaging and runs well on modern systems, though it lacks full Steamworks integration.
“That premise is only the beginning of a highly replayable core concept. The first thing you’ll want to try is the 'challenge cup' campaign mode, which incorporates every map and every game mode in a roughly difficulty-curved experience. Completing bronze, silver, and gold challenges on each map will unlock more play types, vehicles, and maps for the campaign, while also unlocking new possibilities in the 'quick play' casual mode with both pick-up single-player, cooperative, and competitive multiplayer.”
“The sheer volume of different content available ensures long-lasting replayability. The game can be picked up for ten, twenty, maybe thirty-minute sessions as a relaxing intermission, and the car-combat is appropriately punchy and cathartic. The 2004 graphics hold up remarkably well, and the game will run perfectly on virtually any modern system.”
“The replayability factor is immense, with various modes and challenges that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. Each playthrough can feel different based on the choices you make and the strategies you employ.”
“The simple controls are easy to get a hold of, the quick-paced nature of the game means it can be picked up for ten, twenty, maybe thirty minute games at a time as a relaxing intermission. The car-combat is appropriately punchy and cathartic, and the sheer volume of different content available ensures long-lasting replayability. The 2004 graphics hold up remarkably well (especially considering the distance from which you view the car models), and the game will run perfectly on virtually any modern system. The only downside to this aged release is the lack of full Steamworks integration (i.e., no achievements or trading cards), but don’t let that stop you from picking up this fantastic bargain-price gem.”
“That premise is only the beginning of a highly replayable core concept. The first thing you’ll want to try is the 'challenge cup' campaign mode, which incorporates every map and every game mode in a roughly difficulty curve to showcase the immense variety of experiences the game has. Completing bronze, silver, and gold challenges on each map will unlock more and more play types, vehicles, and maps for the campaign, while also unlocking new possibilities in the 'quick play' casual mode with both pick-up single-player, cooperative, and competitive multiplayer.”
