History JustForFun / SugarRushSpeedway

---

!Sugar Rush Speedway provides examples of:

** In the West, several characters were removed, putting the roster at 15 characters.[[note]]Rumor has it that the version at Litwak's has a secret 16th[[/note]]

* PowerUp: Several exist, but one notable example is the Sweet Seeker HomingProjectile.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: 15 racers total, with 9 new racers chosen every day, but there are a ton of other minor characters who don't race.

The result was ''Sugar Rush'', a hit 1991 platformer with a LevelAte SugarBowl setting that [[NoExportForYou never got released Stateside]][[note]]and with it, several premises that alienate Western fans from the Japanese[[/note]]. The producers at Tobikomi intended to keep it to Japan, a decision that was because of a low production budget. [[SleeperHit Unexpected success at launch]] did not reverse Tobikomi's decision. Later on, HAL released VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand in the West, a game with a similar LevelAte setting, further quashing any chances of this game to be released Stateside.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: Inverted. This is what helped the original game in the wake of VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand in Japan, ironically.

The result was ''Sugar Rush'', a hit 1991 platformer with a LevelAte SugarBowl setting that [[NoExportForYou never got released Stateside]][[note]]and with it, several premises that alienate Western fans from the Japanese[[/note]]. The producers intended to keep it to Japan, a decision that was because of a low production budget and [[SleeperHit unexpected success at launch]]. Later on, HAL released VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand in the West, a game with a similar setting, further quashing any chances of this game to be released Stateside.

Due to the game's popularity, it garnished another mainstay installment, the first to be released worldwide. It runs off of a middle-ground between NA Speedway and the pre-Speedway titles, with some NA Speedway bios retooled into new characters while the original cast have their Japanese bios and designs. As a bonus, the original Sugar Rush [[GameWithinAGame is playable as a secret]], and is packaged with certain editions as physical media.

** Save for her leggings, Candlehead.

Due to the game's popularity, it garnished another mainstay installment, the first to be released worldwide. It runs off of a middle-ground between NA Speedway and the pre-Speedway titles, with some NA Speedway bios retooled into new characters while the original cast have their Japanese bios. As a bonus, the original Sugar Rush [[GameWithinAGame is playable as a secret]], and as physical media.

''Sugar Rush'' was a CultClassic among Japanese gamers, and was not known in the West save for import circles, who thought, despite the SugarBowl setting and the [[GirlShowGhetto stigma that these cute settings were almost exclusively for young girls]], the game and its backstory were a neat concept. The environment similarities to Kirby with the mechanics differences were among the factors that helped.

Two more platformer games and several spin-offs were developed over the years, and among them was '''''Sugar Rush Speedway''''', better-abbreviated to "Sugar Rush", at least in the West[[note]]In Japan, "Sugar Rush" refers almost solely to the 1991 platformer for the Game Boy[[/note]], the 1997 arcade kart-racing game. It was here that the series would finally get released to the West...

* {{Catchphrase}}: "Stay sweet!" for Taffyta. The others' are unknown.

In 1989, a company called AKI Laboratory[[note]]their name is purportedly stated to come from "them being two seasons ahead" of FriendlyRival company HAL Laboratory[[/note]], founded in 1980, fully transitioned from creating hardware for Tobikomi and other game corporations to actual game development. The company have been developing games for Tobikomi[[note]]on most of their titles, this is where the "Licensed to Tobikomi Inc." subtitle below the copyright comes from[[/note]] on arcade platforms and the Famicom earlier, but these early titles were crude compared to their current titles - let alone what was trending at the time. Another AKI hit, ''Target Fox'', came from this stage, as an attempt to add a plot to the Tobikomi hit endless shooter ''Target Bravo.'' The game was [[NintendoHard ridiculously hard]], especially with the [[NewGamePlus subsequent run-throughs that significantly up the number of enemies compared to the initial run]]. Sequels are still in production.

Shortly after the company's transition, AKI decided to create a game that was the antithesis to Target Fox: a game that was both accessible and overall [[LighterAndSofter light-hearted]].

Several spin-offs were developed over the years, and among them was '''''Sugar Rush Speedway''''', better-abbreviated to "Sugar Rush", at least in the West[[note]]In Japan, "Sugar Rush" refers almost solely to the 1991 platformer for the Game Boy[[/note]], the 1997 arcade kart-racing game. It was here that the series would finally get released to the West...

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: Inverted. This is what helped the original game power through VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand in Japan, ironically.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: Inverted. This is what helped the game power through VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand in Japan, ironically.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: Inverted.

The result was ''Sugar Rush'', a hit 1991 platformer with a LevelAte SugarBowl setting that [[NoExportForYou never got released Stateside]][[note]]and with it, several premises that alienate Western fans from the Japanese[[/note]]. The producers intended to keep it to Japan, a decision that was because of a low production budget and [[SleeperHit unexpected success at launch]]. Later on, VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand, with a similar setting, already hit Western shores.

Several spin-offs were developed over the years, and among them was '''''Sugar Rush Speedway''''', better-abbreviated to ''Sugar Rush'', at least in the West[[note]]In Japan, "Sugar Rush" refers almost solely to the 1991 platformer for the Game Boy[[/note]], the 1997 arcade kart-racing game. It was here that the series would finally get released to the West...

...but not in a way those nascent fans of the series in the West would like. Several changes were made [[AudienceAlienatingPremise for the franchise to better appeal to girls]], among which were several character designs, [[DummiedOut several characters removed entirely]], and a fresh new logo, which many current Western fans would most recognize. The most egregious example was the change of who had the lead role: the character who Western fans see as the lead was actually the FinalBoss of the 1991 original, while Japanese fans see a side character in the West as the lead. The Japanese version, not surprisingly, did not have these changes (except the logo change).

The most recognized version of Sugar Rush in the West today is probably the one at Litwak's Family Fun Center.

** Save her leggings, Candlehead.

* DubNameChange: Adorabeezle was originally known as [[AerithAndBob Avery]] in Japan as well as very early in localization, due to her character having a SamusIsAGirl moment in the early installments.[[note]]The fact that Japanese has no real third-person pronouns helped so much with this sudden reveal.[[/note]] Blame ExecutiveMeddling for the sudden change.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Downplayed, with only 15 total, but every day, 9 new racers are chosen.

* DubNameChange: Adorabeezle was originally known as [[AerithAndBob Avery]] in Japan as well as very early in localization, due to her character having a SamusIsAGirl moment in the early installments[[note]]The fact that Japanese has no real third-person pronouns helped so much with this sudden reveal.[[/note]]. Blame ExecutiveMeddling for the sudden change.

* DubNameChange: Adorabeezle was originally known as [[AerithAndBob Avery]] in Japan as well as very early in localization, due to her character having a SamusIsAGirl moment in the early installments. Blame ExecutiveMeddling for the sudden change.

In 1989, a company called AKI Laboratory[[note]]their name is purportedly stated to come from "them being two seasons ahead" of FriendlyRival company HAL Laboratory[[/note]], founded in 1980, fully transitioned from creating hardware for Tobikomi to actual game development. The company have been developing games for Tobikomi[[note]]on most of their titles, this is where the "Licensed to Tobikomi Inc." subtitle below the copyright comes from[[/note]] on arcade platforms and the Famicom earlier, but these early titles were crude compared to today. Another AKI hit, ''Target Fox'', came from this stage, as an attempt to add a plot to the Tobikomi endless shooter ''Target Bravo.'' The game was [[NintendoHard ridiculously hard]], especially with the [[NewGamePlus subsequent run-throughs that significantly up the number of enemies compared to the initial run]]. Sequels are still in production.

Shortly after the company's transition, AKI decided to create a game that was the antithesis to Target Fox: a game that was both accessible and peppy.

In 1989, a company called AKI Laboratory, founded in 1980, fully transitioned from creating hardware for Tobikomi to actual game development. The company have been developing games for Tobikomi[[note]]on most of their titles, this is where the "Licensed to Tobikomi Inc." subtitle below the copyright comes from[[/note]] on arcade platforms and the Famicom earlier, but these early titles were crude compared to today. Another AKI hit, ''Target Fox'', came from this stage, as an attempt to add a plot to the Tobikomi endless shooter ''Target Bravo.'' The game was [[NintendoHard ridiculously hard]], especially with the [[NewGamePlus subsequent run-throughs that significantly up the number of enemies compared to the initial run]]. Sequels are still in production.

* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Candlehead.

In 1989, a company called AKI Laboratory, founded in 1980, fully transitioned from creating hardware for Tobikomi to actual game development. The company have been developing games for Tobikomi on Tobikomi platforms earlier, but these early titles were crude compared to today. Another AKI hit, ''Target Fox'', came from this stage, as an attempt to add a plot to the Tobikomi endless shooter ''Target Bravo.'' The game was [[NintendoHard ridiculously hard]], especially with the [[NewGamePlus subsequent run-throughs that significantly up the number of enemies compared to the initial run]]. Sequels are still in production.

The series was a CultClassic among Japanese gamers, and was not known in the West save for import circles, who thought, despite the SugarBowl setting and the [[GirlShowGhetto stigma that these cute settings were almost exclusively for young girls]], the game and its backstory were a neat concept.

The result was ''Sugar Rush'', a hit 1991 platformer with a LevelAte SugarBowl setting that [[NoExportForYou never got released Stateside]][[note]]and with it, several premises that alienate Western fans from the Japanese[[/note]]. The producers intended to keep it to Japan, a decision that was because of a low production budget and [[SleeeperHit unexpected success at launch]]. Later on, VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand, with a similar setting, already hit Western shores.

The result was ''Sugar Rush'', a hit 1991 platformer with a LevelAte SugarBowl setting that [[NoExportForYou never got released Stateside]][[note]]and with it, several premises that alienate Western fans from the Japanese[[/note]]. The producers intended to keep it to Japan, arguing the ValuesDissonance between the two countries.

The series was a mainstay among Japanese gamers, and was not known in the West save for import circles, who thought, despite the SugarBowl setting and the [[GirlShowGhetto stigma that these cute settings were almost exclusively for young girls]], the game and its backstory was a good concept.

In 1989, a company called AKI Laboratory, founded in 1980, fully transitioned from creating hardware for Tobikomi to actual game development. The company have been developing games for Tobikomi on Tobikomi platforms earlier, but these early titles were crude compared to today. Another AKI hit, ''Target Fox'', came from this stage, as an attempt to add a plot to the Tobikomi endless shooter ''Target Bravo.'' The game was [[NintendoHard ridiculously hard]], especially with the [[NewGamePlus subsequent run-throughs that significantly up the number of enemies compared to the initial run]].

...but not in a way those nascent fans of the series would. Several changes were made [[AudienceAlienatingPremise for the franchise to better appeal to girls]], among which were several character designs, [[DummiedOut several characters removed entirely]], and minor changes to the level layout to make them easier.

* WackyRacing