Talking Point: This Classic Activision Racer Came To Xbox 15 Years Ago, And We Sorely Miss It

This game used real vehicle models? if so then it is difficult to see it, I think there are usually a lot of problems with licensing in these games

It’s such a pity this hasn’t gotten a re-release or remaster in the years since as from what I can recall it was pretty graphically impressive.

This and Split Second being released days apart was awful scheduling and really tanked both titles, it’s a shame neither found a larger audience.

GOOD arcade racers need to make a comeback.

In an alternate universe, Blur became what Forza Horizon is today.

I still own it for both Xbox and PS3.

Blur had the unfortunate timing to come out alongside split/second which was a better game.

A very bad decision to bring out at the same time as Split Second but out of the 2, Blur was the better game in all areas. If ever a adult Mario Kart game could be as well made as Blur to appear on today's consoles. The music, the real world locations, the vehicles. Possibly the most fun I had in my online gaming sessions.
Such a shame that licensing is stopping this game getting a HD Remake. Along with the PGR series of games these are my most wanting a remake of.

How has it been 15 years, I remember picking up day one for £30 and now we're talking about £80 games if only my wages had increased that much over the last 15 years, but games like this and project Gotham racing are solely missed every game coming out now just feels so generic and scented around the same template.

I would get someone to make some fake cars for it and reissue it as a reimagining at a budget price.

No way, PGR never got the handling right. Great videos on YouTube about this topic. If you're bringing something back from Xbox past it better start with OUT and end with RUN, the still gorgeous Outrun 2006 or how about the Curly Monsters one hit wonder Quantum Redshift, MS own Midtown Madness, Motocross Madness, Sega Rally, DAYTONAAAA! Ridge Racer 6 or the unbound one, Full Auto, Forza before the Xbox One, at least 20 franchises, one offs, remakes or sequels I wanna see before boring reused PGR series.

@TheUnrestCure Blur is a mario kart style arcade racer with weapons, the only weapon in forza is the terrible voice acting.

@Brigurugi heresy! I loved the handling in the PGR series, it was so much fun.

The arcade racers from 15-20 years ago were simple pick-up-and-play style games that merged with the systems they were on seamlessly. Since the Xbox One came out, games started getting serious and more complex. If you think about it, it makes complete sense why we don't see games like BLUR or Split/Second: Velocity anymore-because fun and expression aren't currently in vogue-at least not in the same way they used to be.

Bring back Split Second remastered. I completed it on PS3 and feel it would look awesome on ps5 and Xbox series X

Looks like Max Verstappen may already have the answer for arcade racers future 😃👍

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/maybe-throw-bananas-max-verstappen-likens-f1s-monaco-gp-rule-to-mario-kart/10726659/

@RadioHedgeFund I was just going to comment exactly that

@Jrs1 My reference was meant to imply Blur could have been as big as FH ... in an alternate universe.

@TheUnrestCure I wish it had've been. Hopefully a resurgence of the arcade racer returns, whether the audience is there anymore outside of all us nostalgia cases remains to be seen.

@Jrs1 I think the audience is still there - just look at the interest in Mario Kart World and how successful that franchise has been! - it is just that the world of kart racers seems to be populated primarily with "kiddie" IPs like Nickelodeon etc. I think there is a place for Blur 2 with its licensed real-world vehicles; I'd guess it is just too expensive or devs are worried about negative Mario Kart comparisons.

Many of us miss it but it has like many others of the R Racing, Enthusia, Split Second, Auto Modellista and more real car/track licenses, sponsors, music, etc.

PGR was great with it's stylish/kudos approach, PGR1/MSR was more unique then 2 to 4 being better, it has it's own fair ideas but not as particular as PGR1 and MSR. I miss it, 100s of city layouts and creativity that most don't even capture these days. What a way to offer modes, scores and strategy.

But there is a reason that PGR2 quote of restricting cars and why that progression didn't work for all modes is also why it was clear audiences want wish fulfillment, easy access to supercars/race cars, incentives and half the garbage progression, classes and more these days in the genre, not just for money but wanting it as well, blame players.

Sigh the progression, modes and more are just gone these days in the genre.

The Club also was a great game too for it's arcade shooting gallery/modern feeling mechanics, what a game to approach an arcade angle for. Not perfect or as Trials/Trackmania restart effective but still had some good ideas in it.

Lucid made Geometry Wars 3 and Destruction Allstars, like I think much of them or those at Playground that were part of Bizarre Creations arcade racing greatness besides their F1 games or others prior to that.

So there is a reason I go to anti-grav ones (music licenses or not) and others like Flatout/Wreckfest or Ridge Racer type ones for reviving.

Then again Indies also go for the no license but recreate those that are licensed and I just face palm at their lack of imagination.

@TheUnrestCure Yup risk/reward is just too high nowadays with jobs on the line that devs will only push forward with what investors/shareholders want which is a damn shame. Look at all those AM2/3 Racers that Sega is sitting on gathering dust for example. I'd give anything to play those again without having to resort to booting up Yakuza and visiting a virtual arcade.

BLUR is phenomenal! The only 4-player arcade racer that uses realistic cars, kart racer pick ups, great sound design and multiple modes too.