The developers implemented simulated physics to make the results of collisions easier to predict, and they kept the game's tracks small to increase the number of wrecks. Destruction Derby is a 1995 vehicular combat racing video game developed by Reflections Interactive and published by Psygnosis for MS-DOS, PlayStation and Sega Saturn.

The Story Behind Destruction Derby

However, a single wire-frame model, differentiated by texture maps, was used for every vehicle. Producer Tony Parks noted that the physics were simplified to improve performance and to compensate for the PlayStation's digital controller, and that the team sought a balance between "realism and playability". The team made the game's tracks small to "keep the density of the cars on the track very high", which allowed for large-scale wrecks.

Plans were made to support up to eight players with the PlayStation Link Cable. It was published by Sony Computer Entertainment's Psygnosis branch, which allowed Reflections to receive PlayStation development kits long before that console's release. Writers for Edge and Next Generation commented that the game could "trounce" Ridge Racer upon the PlayStation's release.

How Destruction Derby Plays

Destruction Derby is a 1995 vehicular combat racing video game developed by Reflections Interactive and published by Psygnosis for MS-DOS, PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Based on the sport of demolition derby, the game tasks the player with racing and destroying cars to score points. Frontal collisions risk damage to the car's radiator, which causes the car to overheat and stop running.

In Destruction Derby, the player earns points by destroying other cars in a large, trackless arena called The Bowl; in Stock Car Racing, the player must finish in first place, and no points are awarded for destroying cars. The developers implemented simulated physics to make the results of collisions easier to predict, and they kept the game's tracks small to increase the number of wrecks. Four game modes are available: Destruction Derby, Wreckin' Racing, Stock Car Racing and Time Trial.

Why Players Still Load It Up

He believed that the game "has never-before-seen quality that will instantly make it a showpiece game to demonstrate to open-mouthed friends and relatives", and he considered the car damage to be "especially marvelous—and unprecedented for this sort of game". Comparisons with the PlayStation version are inevitable, and the rather haphazard conversion means that the Saturn version lacks the polish of its rival." Rob Allsetter's review in Sega Saturn Magazine (from the same publisher as Computer & Video Games) recycled most of the text from Randell's review, including the closing remarks. Writing for GamePro, Captain Squideo called Destruction Derby "the most raucous racing experience of the fall".

However, he found that its "useful life span is surprisingly short" and he hoped for a track editor in its sequel. He applauded the authentic modelling of vehicle crashes, multiple modes, smoothness of gameplay, and inclusion of both network and modem options, and found the game's only downside is that the camera zooms out so little that it can be difficult to see nearby cars. The IGN reviewer commented that the controls are "way, way too loose".

Destruction Derby — Frequently Asked Questions