Just for experimental purposes, we tried playing with keyboard controls. We have also played the N64 console version of this title. They are basically the same game, and the racers handle as well by joystick on the PC as they do on the console version. I usually prefer to play this type of game on our N64, but with Racer , I am equally pleased with the PC version. I would recommend this game for ages 8 and older, because of the reflexes needed to handle the high-speed racing.
Racer is a great game for building reflexes and hand-eye coordination.
If you have an older child who wants this game, I think it is well worth purchasing.