History VideoGame / MuppetRaceMania

* GangUpOnTheHuman: Averted. In fact, in battles, if you can find a hiding spot, you can wait for the AI opponents to off each other before taking out the last one left. However, in order to get 100PercentCompletion, you need to actively pitch in.

'''''Muppet Race Mania''''' is a UsefulNotes/PlayStation racing game developed by Creator/TravellersTales, and published by Creator/MidwayGames in North America and Creator/SonyComputerEntertainment in Europe, and released in 2000. It features a majority of characters from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' (and characters from the films).

* CameraScrew: Downplayed. Unlike most racing games, where the camera is ''always'' behind you (except when holding the "back view" button), in this game, there is a slight delay, it doesn't turn when you turn without advancing (which you can do), but starts only after accelerating in a direction different from the camera's, which can give weird angles. This proves to be somewhat useful, given that some special powers of some Muppets turn your racer around.

* CarFu: You get to battle against computer-controlled opponents, collision and dropping on top (instead of simply weapons) is a viable means of inflicting damage, and all combatants have a health bar instead of a number of lives, There is even the unlockable option of battling ''while racing''.

* GangUpOnTheHuman: Averted. In fact, in battles, if you can find a hiding spot, you can wait for the AI opponents to off each other before taking out the last one left.
* GuideDangIt: When in Adventure Mode, pressing the triangle button will turn the camera toward the location of the nearest token, the movie clip, the Doozer, or the hidden Muppet, depending on what you have left to collect. It will also pinpoint the bosses in battle arenas.

* PowerCopying: With a full meter, you can use your Muppet's special power, which varies with each Muppet and lasts for five seconds. Not all of these are equal though in terms of stalling. Most special powers simply stop all the others from moving (e.g., Rizzo, Rowlf); a few (e.g., Miss Piggy, Kermit, Beaker) merely reduce movement; and some (e.g., Doozer, Gonzo, Fozzie, Animal) turn the racers around, so they're occasionally pointing in the wrong direction when the power finishes.

* EverythingsBetterWithPenguins: These serve as the standard "mine" weapon. Unlike other "mine" weapons, they don't last long, and they move a bit.

* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: The computer-controlled Muppets seem to have whatever stats they need to keep up with you, even if it contradicts the actual builds of their vehicles. You could have Robin (one-star engine power) pass Floyd (five-star engine power) on a straightaway without using a boost, or see Pepe (whose Kart has some of the worst turning in the game) expertly navigating the spiral stairs of the Happiness Hotel, which is impossible for a human driver. At least there isn't much RubberBandAI.

* HomingProjectile: Camilla the Chicken.

* PowderGag: The Swedish Chef's special move inflicts a cloud of flour on his opponents.

* ProducePelting: Fozzie is usually the victim of this, but his special move, the Tomato Splat, allows his opponents to get a taste of it as well.

* CatchingSomeZs: Floyd's special attack ("Take It Easy") forces this on his opponents, complete with visible Z's and snoring sounds.

* DeadpanSnarker: Statler (Jerry Nelson) and Waldorf (Dave Goelz) offer their usual acerbic commentary at the beginning of each race or battle. An example is in the Muppet Theater course:

* SquashedFlat: Miss Piggy's special move, which only slows down the racers.

This game marked the first vocal appearance by Janice since the death of Richard Hunt. She, along with Scooter, were performed by Matt Vogel, the only time he voiced these characters. Rowlf the Dog (voiced by Bill Barretta by this point, but in this game by [[TheOtherDarrin John Kennedy]]) and Link Hogthrob (voiced by Steve Whitmire) also make their major vocal debuts after the death of Creator/JimHenson.

* CarFu: You get to battle against computer-controlled opponents, collision and dropping on top (instead of simply weapons) is a viable means of inflicting damage, and all combatants have a health bar instead of a number of lives, There is even the unlockable option of battling ''while racing''.

* CanonForeigner: [[Series/FraggleRock Flange Doozer]] is the only playable character to not hail from the ''Muppet Show/Muppets Tonight''/films universe, although Fraggle Rock itself is one of the unlockable courses. Meanwhile, the Fraggles themselves (and Sprocket) don't make so much as a cameo (although the Gorgs do).

* DeadpanSnarker: Statler and Waldorf offer their usual acerbic commentary at the beginning of each race or battle. An example is in the Muppet Theater course:

* AnOddPlaceToSleep: Floyd's special attack, "Take It Easy," forces a short nap on his opponents wherever they happen to be at the moment.

* CanonForeigner: [[Series/FraggleRock Flange Doozer]] is the only playable character to not hail from the ''Muppet Show/Muppets Tonight''/films universe, although Fraggle Rock itself is one of the unlockable courses. It's rather surprising one of the Fraggles themselves - especially Gobo or Red - was not made a playable character.

* BalefulPolymorph: Some of the Muppets' special powers inflict this on other racers. Examples are Rizzo (cheese), Robin (tiny frog), Sal (bunch of bananas), and Bean Bunny (carrot).

* CluckingFunny: Camilla the chicken serves as the game's "homing missile" weapon.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Professional runners tend to use Floyd or Zoot (or at least a favorite Muppet driving their cars). Also, if you're grinding races to unlock different vehicles for your characters, Central Park is the track of choice, as there's so much food it's easy to fill your gauge two or even three times.

* PalmtreePanic: Cape Doom and Island.

* RewardingVandalism: Using weapons on certain set pieces grant access to shortcuts (the fish is the best choice) or grant access to tokens in Adventure Mode.

* ComebackMechanic: After collecting enough Food, aside from each Muppet's special powers, there's also the [=MegaBoost=], which automatically takes you across the course in the form of a blue star (and not take any shortcuts unless you start from there). Beware that your AI opponent has access to this too.The Battle courses in this game are distinctly different from that of other racing games of its time (and even today).

* AndNowForSomethingCompletelyDifferent: Unlike many other {{Mascot Racer}}s, which mechanics are solely designed for racing, the mechanics for this game (easy idle turning and jumping) allow for more exploration-oriented gameplay, which Adventure Mode and the side-scrolling Stunt courses call for.