Sweet Ride

Sweet Ride (スイートスピードスター Sweet Speedsters) is a racing video game developed by Feel Good Inc under the direction of Peppermint Princess, with design help from Lenneh. Published and distributed by Nintendo in late 2017 for the Nintendo Switch console, it serves as Feel Good Inc's debut project, as well as the first installment in the titular Sweet Ride series. It features an expansive roster of twenty playable characters, six game modes, twenty-five courses, twenty-five power-ups and twenty-one vehicles.
==Gameplay==
Sweet Ride shares similar gameplay to other games in the racing genre, where characters race through various circuits and collect items―referred to as power-ups―to boost their speed or hamper their opponents. Whereas, in the case of Sweet Ride, these are located in the world of Candy Land which is themed after various sweets, candy and desserts.
The power-ups have a rock-paper-scissors effect, in which certain power-ups can be used to defend against others. Also, on occasions when players get three of one power-up, they can choose to fire/activate them at the same time. Additional boost can be earned by successfully executing drifts (with longer drifts earning more boost), or performing stunts while in mid-air.
Each character and vehicle has statistics, with the final statistics being the average between the character and the vehicle's individual ratings. The statistics are as follows:
*Speed: How high the top speed of the racer/kart is and how fast they can go;
*Sweetness: How powerful the dash given after a succesful long drift or jump/stunt is;
*Handling: How tight the racer/kart can normally turn without drifting;
*Drift: How tight the racer/kart turns while drifting;
*Candy-coating: How affected the racer/kart is when hit by a power-up/hazard, and how long it takes them to recover.
In addition to karts and racing cars, the game also features a plethora of other vehicles such as motorcycles, animals, hoverboards and more, all of which can be used in any of the six playable gaming modes―Grand Prix, Custom Play, Time Trials, Ghost Race, Missions and Multiplayer.
===Game modes===
Grand Prix 	In this mode, players can pick between , , and (Very Hard) difficulties and race in five cups; each consisting of 5 courses, ranging from the most to the least difficult. Racers earn points by placing within 16 positions. The racer with the most points at the end of the five races wins the cup. Beating cups in certain difficulties unlocks extra content for the player, such as characters and vehicles, that can then be used in the other game modes.
Custom Play	Players can race with their own custom settings, such as number of opponents and difficulty, and compete on any courses from the cups in Grand Prix mode, allowing them to pick a single course rather than racing through the entire cup that the map is included in. Players can also pick between Solo Race, where they try to win for themselves, or Team Race, where 2 teams try to win by gathering the most points and beating the other.
Time Trials	In Time Trial mode, the main goal is to complete a lap in the fastest time possible, that way setting a record for other players to beat. The player starts with three sugar cubes, usable to provide speed boosts. There is also an option that allows the player to upload their best time online, thus making it possible for online players to try and beat it in Ghost Race (see below).
Ghost Race 	It is possible to race against ghosts made by players around the world with relatively the same skill level to the actual player. Players can upload their own ghost data, taken from Time Trial mode.
Missions 	In Missions mode, players must complete tasks in a given time limit and earn a ranking. It involves five levels, each containing five missions. Almost always the ranks depend on how much time is left or taken. There are varying mission types, such as crossing several numbered rainbows in order, collecting chocolate coins, smashing Pick 'N' Mix bags (used to get power-ups on the racetrack), using cherry bombs to explode a number of enemies and hazards, exiting a course in a given time limit, surviving a wave of attacks with only one bubblegum shield (used to protect the player from offenses), using a birthday candle to light up as many cherry bombs as possible, using cake slices to perform as many stunts in mid-air as possible, and at the end of every level, a boss race against a computer player consisting of one single lap.
Multiplayer	In this mode, the player can play with up to seven other local players in a normal race or two of the other possible types of races (see below), as well use Internet connection to play against other international players online. It is possible to race with up to 15 other players from around the world or in their region. They can create their own tournaments for their friends and other online players to compete in. This allows them to choose an icon and a name for their tournament as well as set the rules and the courses, including whether to play in teams or not, whether to have power-ups or not, vehicle types, whether there should be computer players or not and the difficulty set to those same CPUs. The following types of races are only available in local Multiplayer:
*Rainbow Crossing: Also included in Missions mode, the racers must drive through several numbered rainbows in order. If one is missed, the racer must go back and cross it, as the others will not count;
*Chocolate Coin Collecting: Originating from Missions mode, racers must drive through the course and collect as many chocolate coins as possible. Positions are based on the amount of coins, rather than the position they finish the race in. There is, however, a time limit―which prevents racers from staying behind to collect more coins.
====Missions table====
==Playable characters==
Sweet Ride features a roster of twenty different playable characters, sixteen being available to choose from the start, while four others are unlockable by beating certain cups in Grand Prix mode in certain difficulties. Each character is themed after a specific candy, dessert or food, and their theme is noticeable on their appearance, as well as their Standard Kart and Motorcycle.
===Starting characters===
Name 	Candy theme 	 	 	 	 	
Description 	Description 	Description 	Description 	Description 	Description 	Description
Beeanca 	Honey. 	 	 	 	 	
Well known for her signature arrogance and queen bee attitude, Beeanca sure is 1 to watch out for. She is a merciless competitor and will take down anyone that dares cross her way to the finish line. Dressed in black with the occasional yellow strike, her fierce personality is not to be dismissed; a selfish, manipulative and headstrong character that she has made for herself, that many tend to fear. In spite of this, she is a good team leader, and will let her walls down for anyone that shows true intentions of helping out. She specializes in swift turns and strength, being capable of quickly recovering from strong attacks. 	Well known for her signature arrogance and queen bee attitude, Beeanca sure is 1 to watch out for. She is a merciless competitor and will take down anyone that dares cross her way to the finish line. Dressed in black with the occasional yellow strike, her fierce personality is not to be dismissed; a selfish, manipulative and headstrong character that she has made for herself, that many tend to fear. In spite of this, she is a good team leader, and will let her walls down for anyone that shows true intentions of helping out. She specializes in swift turns and strength, being capable of quickly recovering from strong attacks. 	Well known for her signature arrogance and queen bee attitude, Beeanca sure is 1 to watch out for. She is a merciless competitor and will take down anyone that dares cross her way to the finish line. Dressed in black with the occasional yellow strike, her fierce personality is not to be dismissed; a selfish, manipulative and headstrong character that she has made for herself, that many tend to fear. In spite of this, she is a good team leader, and will let her walls down for anyone that shows true intentions of helping out. She specializes in swift turns and strength, being capable of quickly recovering from strong attacks. 	Well known for her signature arrogance and queen bee attitude, Beeanca sure is 1 to watch out for. She is a merciless competitor and will take down anyone that dares cross her way to the finish line. Dressed in black with the occasional yellow strike, her fierce personality is not to be dismissed; a selfish, manipulative and headstrong character that she has made for herself, that many tend to fear. In spite of this, she is a good team leader, and will let her walls down for anyone that shows true intentions of helping out. She specializes in swift turns and strength, being capable of quickly recovering from strong attacks. 	Well known for her signature arrogance and queen bee attitude, Beeanca sure is 1 to watch out for. She is a merciless competitor and will take down anyone that dares cross her way to the finish line. Dressed in black with the occasional yellow strike, her fierce personality is not to be dismissed; a selfish, manipulative and headstrong character that she has made for herself, that many tend to fear. In spite of this, she is a good team leader, and will let her walls down for anyone that shows true intentions of helping out. She specializes in swift turns and strength, being capable of quickly recovering from strong attacks. 	Well known for her signature arrogance and queen bee attitude, Beeanca sure is 1 to watch out for. She is a merciless competitor and will take down anyone that dares cross her way to the finish line. Dressed in black with the occasional yellow strike, her fierce personality is not to be dismissed; a selfish, manipulative and headstrong character that she has made for herself, that many tend to fear. In spite of this, she is a good team leader, and will let her walls down for anyone that shows true intentions of helping out. She specializes in swift turns and strength, being capable of quickly recovering from strong attacks. 	Well known for her signature arrogance and queen bee attitude, Beeanca sure is 1 to watch out for. She is a merciless competitor and will take down anyone that dares cross her way to the finish line. Dressed in black with the occasional yellow strike, her fierce personality is not to be dismissed; a selfish, manipulative and headstrong character that she has made for herself, that many tend to fear. In spite of this, she is a good team leader, and will let her walls down for anyone that shows true intentions of helping out. She specializes in swift turns and strength, being capable of quickly recovering from strong attacks.
Strawbetty 	Strawberries, strawberry hard candy. 	 	 	 	 	
The wickedly feisty and gorgeous Strawbetty is an adored and high-ranking member of Candy Land's racing elite―a confident presense that is sure to leave her mark on the fiery racetrack. She is deemed as 1 of the best racers, possessing a characteristic top-notch capability to reach the highest of speeds. Despite this, Strawbetty is often dubbed as an outcast. She does not seem worried about this, however, as she thinks highly of herself; she knows she is capable of mastering any racetrack that she wants, which does end up coming across as egotistical―her ego being the main reason why she can't seem to find many friends in her racing peers.	The wickedly feisty and gorgeous Strawbetty is an adored and high-ranking member of Candy Land's racing elite―a confident presense that is sure to leave her mark on the fiery racetrack. She is deemed as 1 of the best racers, possessing a characteristic top-notch capability to reach the highest of speeds. Despite this, Strawbetty is often dubbed as an outcast. She does not seem worried about this, however, as she thinks highly of herself; she knows she is capable of mastering any racetrack that she wants, which does end up coming across as egotistical―her ego being the main reason why she can't seem to find many friends in her racing peers.	The wickedly feisty and gorgeous Strawbetty is an adored and high-ranking member of Candy Land's racing elite―a confident presense that is sure to leave her mark on the fiery racetrack. She is deemed as 1 of the best racers, possessing a characteristic top-notch capability to reach the highest of speeds. Despite this, Strawbetty is often dubbed as an outcast. She does not seem worried about this, however, as she thinks highly of herself; she knows she is capable of mastering any racetrack that she wants, which does end up coming across as egotistical―her ego being the main reason why she can't seem to find many friends in her racing peers.	The wickedly feisty and gorgeous Strawbetty is an adored and high-ranking member of Candy Land's racing elite―a confident presense that is sure to leave her mark on the fiery racetrack. She is deemed as 1 of the best racers, possessing a characteristic top-notch capability to reach the highest of speeds. Despite this, Strawbetty is often dubbed as an outcast. She does not seem worried about this, however, as she thinks highly of herself; she knows she is capable of mastering any racetrack that she wants, which does end up coming across as egotistical―her ego being the main reason why she can't seem to find many friends in her racing peers.	The wickedly feisty and gorgeous Strawbetty is an adored and high-ranking member of Candy Land's racing elite―a confident presense that is sure to leave her mark on the fiery racetrack. She is deemed as 1 of the best racers, possessing a characteristic top-notch capability to reach the highest of speeds. Despite this, Strawbetty is often dubbed as an outcast. She does not seem worried about this, however, as she thinks highly of herself; she knows she is capable of mastering any racetrack that she wants, which does end up coming across as egotistical―her ego being the main reason why she can't seem to find many friends in her racing peers.	The wickedly feisty and gorgeous Strawbetty is an adored and high-ranking member of Candy Land's racing elite―a confident presense that is sure to leave her mark on the fiery racetrack. She is deemed as 1 of the best racers, possessing a characteristic top-notch capability to reach the highest of speeds. Despite this, Strawbetty is often dubbed as an outcast. She does not seem worried about this, however, as she thinks highly of herself; she knows she is capable of mastering any racetrack that she wants, which does end up coming across as egotistical―her ego being the main reason why she can't seem to find many friends in her racing peers.	The wickedly feisty and gorgeous Strawbetty is an adored and high-ranking member of Candy Land's racing elite―a confident presense that is sure to leave her mark on the fiery racetrack. She is deemed as 1 of the best racers, possessing a characteristic top-notch capability to reach the highest of speeds. Despite this, Strawbetty is often dubbed as an outcast. She does not seem worried about this, however, as she thinks highly of herself; she knows she is capable of mastering any racetrack that she wants, which does end up coming across as egotistical―her ego being the main reason why she can't seem to find many friends in her racing peers.
===Unlockable characters===
====Unlocking criteria====
==Non-playable characters==
==Courses==
==Power-ups==
Sweet Ride includes a total of 25 power-ups that allow the racer to take certain advantage over their opponents, obtainable by running through a Pick 'N' Mix bag. Afterwards, a random power-up is chosen. Normally, racers in the lead will receive less potent power-ups than stragglers in the rear, and vice versa.
Name 	Description
Items found on the track	Items found on the track
Pick 'N' Mix Bags 	Give the player a random power-up. Power-ups given are based on the player's position in the race.
Chocolate Coins 	Increase top speed when more are collected, up to a maximum of 10.
Power-ups 	Power-ups
Birthday Candle 	Leaves behind a trail of flames that other racers must avoid, otherwise their vehicles will be set on fire. The trail disappears after some time.
Bubblegum Shield 	A thin shield forms around the user and protects them from all offenses for 15 seconds, or until it is popped by getting hit.
Cake Slice 	When used, a cake slice pops up in front of the racer, allowing them to jump over offenses and perform a stunt in mid-air.
Cherry Bomb 	Can be thrown or dropped in all possible directions and explodes after 5 seconds or if a racer drives past it. Can be used to either hit opponents or for defense, and knocks over all racers and other offenses in its blast radius.
Triple Cherry Bombs 	3 cherry bombs that orbit the user's kart. If a cherry bomb orbiting the racer's vehicle is hit by another power-up, hazard or racer, it will explode, thus spinning out the user and making all other cherry bombs explode as well, knocking over anything else in its blast radius as a consequence. Each works like a normal cherry bomb when used individually.
Cotton Candy Cloud 	Covers the screen of those who drive past it and reduces their visibility.
Flying Saucer 	Works similarly to a boomerang, can be thrown 3 times―before being lost―and returns to the user after being thrown, hitting racers forward and when it returns.
Ghost Apple 	The user becomes invisible for 15 seconds, although they can still be hit by offenses. However, they won't be targeted by them, and will lose invisibility if hit.
Gummy Snakes 	Wrap around the closest racer to the user, thus making them immobile and lose control over their vehicle, causing them to crash into whatever is in their way.
Gumball Wheels 	Turns the racer's kart/motorcycle's wheels into gumballs, lasting for 20 seconds. Largely increases the user's sweetness, meaning drifting offers a much bigger boost for that moment. In the case that they are racing on an animal or other vehicle, the entire vehicle turns into gum instead.
Ice Cream Cannon 	Allows the user to quickly fire an indefinite amount of tiny ice cream balls for 5 seconds. If a racer is hit by more than 5 ice cream balls, they become frozen and can't move for a short time.
Ice Cube 	Causes all opponents to freeze and drop their power-ups for 5 seconds. In the case that a racer is holding a birthday candle when an ice cube is used, they will not be frozen.
Jawbreaker 	Hooks the racer's vehicle to a heavy jawbreaker, drastically slowing them down for 10 seconds.
Licorice Lace 	Used to steal the power-up of the nearest racer to the user. Is thrown out like a lasso, wrapping around the power-up and bringing it back, however being lost and replaced with the stolen power-up.
Monster Energy 	Transforms the user into a monster that resembles a big gummy bear. Provides invincibility from all terrain and offenses for 10 seconds.
Red Hot 	Works similarly to missiles; chases after the racer that's in front of the user until it hits―causing a small explosion and knocking over the opponent.
Triple Red Hots 	3 red hots that orbit the user's kart, protecting them from incoming attacks. Each works like a normal red hot when used individually.
Shooting Starbursts 	Starbursts rain down in the area around the user, knocking over anything that they hit.
Soda Can 	Upon shaking it, the soda can blasts off, travelling in a straight line and knocking over anything at impact.
Sugar Cube 	Provides the user a small speed boost.
Triple Sugar Cubes 	3 sugar cubes that orbit the user's kart, providing them with 3 separate speed boosts.
Sticky Gum 	Reduces the speed of any racers who drive over it for a short time.
Syrup Puddle 	Spins out users that drive over it.
Tootsie Roll 	A massive tootsie roll spawns on the front of the user's vehicle, speeding through the course with auto-pilot and squashing anything in its path for 10 seconds.
Toxic Waste 	Provides the user invincibility and constant speed boost for 15 seconds.
==Vehicles==
In Sweet Ride, there are 25 different vehicles in total; 10 karts, 5 motorcycles, 3 animals and 3 miscellaneous-type vehicles. 5 karts and 2 motorcycles are unlocked from the beginning, with the rest becoming available after beating certain cups in Grand Prix mode in certain difficulties.
===Karts===
Name 	Description 						Unlocking criteria
Standard Kart 	The Standard Kart for all players that closely resembles a real go-kart. Each playable character's Standard Kart is named after their candy theme. They share their main colours with the character's design, along with minimal decoration of their candy theme. It has average statistics. 						Available from the start.
Sugar Delight 	The Sugar Delight is a kart entirely made out of sugar, with 2 yellow gumdrops as the headlights and its back covered in melted white chocolate. It has very high drift, as well as good speed. It however suffers from low sweetness and handling stats. 						Available from the start.
Frozen Yo-Kart 	The Frozen Yo-Kart's body consists of a literal frozen yogurt, along with a spoon where the racer sits. It is covered in sprinkles and has a strawberry along with 2 tiny leafs on the left side. It has average speed and drift, along with very low candy-coating and high sweetness and handling. 						Available from the start.
Ice Screamer 	The Ice Screamer is an ice cream cone with 3 ice cream wheels, sharing the appearance of a trike. It is entirely covered in melted chocolate and whipped cream frosting. It has fairly low speed and drift, along with good candy-coating and high sweetness. 						Available from the start.
Cola Racer 	The Cola Racer consists of a Cola bottle gummy that resembles a Formula One car, and features the number 7 on its right side. It has very high speed and sweetness, paired with low candy-coating, low drift and very low handling. 						Available from the start.
Dessert Tank 	The Dessert Tank is a beige tank, based off a desert tank, with a little cab where the racer sits. It is decorated with Nesquick sand on top and on the sides, along with an ice cream ball with sprinkles on top. It has very high candy-coating, as well as good handling and decent drift. It suffers from low speed and sweetness. 						Beat [?] Cup in difficulty.
Candy Corn Tractor	The Candy Corn Tractor is a green tractor, covered in candy corn and with several licorice laces wrapped around it. It very much resembles a real life tractor. It has good speed and candy-coating, together with all other decent statistics sans sweetness. 						Beat [?] Cup in difficulty.
Gummy Buggy 	The Gummy Buggy is a bouncy gum jeep, entirely made out of gum. The wheels are circular gums wrapped with gummy worms, and the headlights consist of 2 rainbow-coloured gums. It has very high handling, good drift, decent sweetness and candy-coating, and low Speed. 						Beat [?] Cup in difficulty.
Spilt Milk 	The Spilt Milk consist of a milkshake glass with several straws at the bottom, sprinkles and a chocolate-dipped strawberry. Wrapped straws make the wheels, and 2 straws serve as pipes. It has very high sweetness and good handling, paired with decent speed and candy-coating stats and very low drift. 						Beat [?] Cup in difficulty.
Sakura Special 	The Sakura Special is a Japanese inspired kart, where everything is of Japanese descent. It has the appearance of a Le Mans Prototype, with several different flavours of Pocky on the sides, along with Japanese flavoured Kit Kats, and lemon gummies as the wheels. It has the highest average kart statistics in the game, with perfect speed, sweetness and drift, along with low handling and very low candy-coating.						Beat [?] Cup in difficulty.
===Motorcycles===
Name 	Description 						Unlocking criteria
Standard Motorcycle	The Standard Motorcycle for all players that closely resembles a real dirtbike. Each playable character has a Standard Motorcycle, which are―similarly to the Standard Kart―all named after their candy theme. They share their main colours with the character's design, along with minimal decoration of their candy theme. It has average statistics.						Available from the start.
Tiramissile 	The Tiramissible is a motorcycle entirely made out of tiramisu cake, having the appearance of a vintage Scooter. Its wheels consist of round chocolate-flavoured bonbons, with melted chocolate frosting on the sides. It has low speed and candy-coating, paired with decent sweetness and good handling and drift stats. 						Available from the start.
===Animals===
Name 	Description 						Unlocking criteria
Cotton Candy Sheep	The Cotton Candy Sheep is the first unlockable animal-type vehicle that resembles a real life sheep, with all of its wool replaced with cotton candy. The player rides on top of it, and it leans over to the sides when turning and runs faster after given a boost. It has decent speed and handling, low drift and high sweetness and candy-coating.						Beat [?] Cup in difficulty.
===Miscellaneous===
==Trivia==
*Sweet Ride is a reboot of Motor Chickz, the first game created by Peppermint Princess on the wiki way back in 2014. Plans for a reboot first came up in January 2016, when the creator and Lenneh started working on what would later become most of the game. Production suffered from a hiatus, however, throughout half of 2016―until it was later resumed in early 2017 again.
*Similarly to the original, the main inspiration for the project comes from the fictional arcade game Sugar Rush, from the 2012 Walt Disney computer-animated film Wreck-It Ralph.
**Other inspirations include the albums Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani, Naughty Dog's 1999 racing spin-off of the Crash Bandicoot series, Crash Team Racing, and Nintendo's Mario Kart racing series, with 2 installments in particular―Mario Kart DS and Wii―having inspired multiple of the game's design choices and features.
Category:Games
Category:Original Games
Category:2017
Category:Racing Games
Category:Nintendo Switch Games