Start Your Engines!

Introduction
Minimum System Requirements
Installation
Main Menu
Main Game Display
Keyboard Controls
Game Modes
Game Levels
Secret Areas
Hot Wheels(R) Cars
Earning Cars
Turbo
Super Turbo
Changing the Camera View
Options


Introduction

Start with high speed, add dangerous turns, and hammer on four action-packed modes of play! You've got Hot Wheels(R) Micro Racers(TM) CD-ROM, the Hot Wheels(R) game that escapes the traffic snarl of the track for a more challenging racing experience. Race some of the most popular Hot Wheels(R) cars through all-new settings with hazardous courses and obstacles. The path is not always smooth and straight; different road surfaces affect the way the car handles. The turns can be treacherous. Watch out or you might lose it and end up in a fiery crash!


Minimum System Requirements

	Windows(R) 95 or Windows(R) 98
	Multimedia PC Pentium(R) 133 MHz processor or better
	32 MB of RAM
	Quad speed (4x) CD-ROM drive
	Color display, 8-bit color [or 256-color graphics capabilities]
	Any sound card
	Standard mouse and keyboard
	30 MB available Hard Disk space


Installation

Insert the Hot Wheels(R) Micro Racers(TM) CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive and follow the on-screen instructions. The installation program creates an easy-to-find folder in the Start menu.

Uninstall

To remove Hot Wheels(R) Micro Racers(TM), select Uninstall Hot Wheels Micro Racers in the Hot Wheels \ Micro Racers Program Group Start menu and follow the on-screen instructions.


Main Menu

Within the menus, use the arrows and the Enter and Backspace keys or the mouse to navigate through the menu choices. Press Esc during the game to return to the Main menu.

The Main menu contains the following options:

Click on One Player to begin a single-player game against three other computer-controlled cars. When you choose One Player, you will go to the single-player menu where you can choose the game mode, game level, and car. See below for an in-depth explanation of these choices. Select the racing flags to begin.

Click on Two Player to begin a two-player game where two human players are competing against each other and two other computer-controlled cars. When you choose Two Player, you will go to the two-player menu where you can choose the race type and track, and each player must choose his or her car. Select the racing flags to begin.

Choose the wrench icon to go to the Options menu where you can change screen resolution, the game's difficulty level, and peripheral (keyboard, mouse, or joypad) controller configurations for player one and player two. You can also turn the video card option on or off in the Options menu.


Main Game Display

1. Time-The total time elapsed in the current race. 
2. Position-Your race position. The car on the top is in first place, and the car on the bottom is in last. Your car is the one with the arrow next to it. If your race position isn't on top, you'd better get moving!
3. Upcoming Turns, Jumps, and Hazards-Warning Signs! Keep your eyes on the road! Upcoming turns, jumps, and other warnings are flashed in the top center of your screen. If no hazards are shown, the route is free and clear.
4. Lap-The total number of laps in the race as well as the total number of laps completed. Completed laps are colored in, and remaining laps are not.
5. Unlocked Car Pieces-An image displays the number of pieces of unlocked cars that you have found. You need to find all three pieces to unlock a new car.
6. RPM, Turbo, and Super Turbo-The RPM meter shows your engine's revolutions per minute. The Turbo recharge meter shows if your Turbo has recharged and is available for use. If a Super Turbo is available for use, the Turbo indicator will shake, the star will light up, and a loud siren will sound. Hit your Turbo and scorch across the terrain!


Keyboard Controls

Single Player Mode:
Press up arrow to ACCELERATE (make the car go faster).
Press right arrow to steer car to the RIGHT.
Press down arrow to BRAKE or REVERSE.
Press left arrow to steer car to the LEFT.
Press right Shift key to activate the car's turbo.
Press right Ctrl (control) key to view the rear view mirror.

Two Player Mode:
Player one uses the keys described above in single-player mode. Player two uses the following keys:
Press T to ACCELERATE (make the car go faster).
Press H to steer car to the RIGHT.
Press G to BRAKE or REVERSE.
Press F to steer car to the LEFT.
Press left Shift key to activate the car's turbo.
Press left Ctrl (control) key to view the rear view mirror.


Mouse Control

Left mouse button: ACCELERATE (make the car go faster)
Third mouse button (if available, otherwise use the keyboard key/s): REAR VIEW MIRROR
Right mouse button: BRAKE (slow the car down)
Move mouse to the right to steer car to the RIGHT.
Move mouse to the left to steer car to the LEFT.


Joypad Controls

Press left arrow to steer car to the LEFT.
Press right arrow to steer car to the RIGHT.
Button 1: BRAKE and REVERSE
Button 2: TURBO


Game Modes

Single Race
Get a feel for the turns and obstacles before you take them too fast and crash and burn. Single Race mode allows you to practice each level before you compete for the winner's circle. After you set your difficulty level in the Options menu, you'll get three laps for Novices, four laps for Amateurs, and five laps for Pros. The top speed goes up in the Single Race as the difficulty level gets higher.

Championship
Ready to take on the pros? You're in direct competition with three computer-controlled cars, speeding around the course for the fastest time.

In order to advance to the next level in Championship mode, you must win the race. If you don't win your current level by the third try, you have to start all over again. No prizes for second place!

Pursue
Thank goodness this doesn't happen in real-life racing! In Pursue mode, you have an even more powerful incentive to go fast than just winning the race. At the end of each lap, the car in last place will explode!

Therefore, there will be four cars racing on the first lap but only three cars will remain for the second lap. At the end of the second lap, the last place car for that lap will explode. There will only be two cars remaining to race the last lap. When the winning car crosses the finish line, the other car will explode. The winner will be alone on the race course to revel in all the glory of winning Pursue mode.


Game Levels

WAVE WATCH
Wave Watch takes you on a high-speed trip to the beach. The course is carved out of the sand itself and your car must race past all the odds and ends of the seashore. The path weaves around a sand castle, snakes through a seashell course, and jumps over a shovel ramp. A beach ball can roll right in front of your car, creating a mammoth obstacle that requires deft maneuvering and quick reflexes. The sand castle forms the center of the track with fragile bridges over the moat and tunnels through the thick sand walls. Be careful as you drive or there might be a cave-in!

AT THE OFFICE
Hot Wheels(R) racing is serious business as this track speeds around a jumbled desk. Office supplies and computer hardware are piled on top of each other, creating a curvy track full of barriers and tricky turns. To win At the Office, you have to negotiate hairpin turns, treacherous bumps, and dark tunnels. Work hard and play hard because only pro drivers will survive!

SLUMBER SUMMIT
This is the most difficult level and will surely test your driving ability. You'd better not fall asleep at the wheel in here! The toy-cluttered floor and bed in a child's room make for a speedy race complete with shortcuts, banking turns, steep drops, and sheer climbs. The floor is littered with toys and school supplies. An electric train moves around the room on its own. It won't stop, so watch out!


Secret Areas

Each level contains three Secret Areas. When you find them, you're ready to kick the race into high gear with Turbo power!

Find the Star in each of the Secret Areas to unlock pieces of the bonus cars. You must find all three pieces to make the car available for your next race. Each new car will get your blood pumping with new power and superior handling!

Drive your car into the Star to pick it up. The Super Turbo Star will enable you to use Super Turbo power once. See below for more details on Super Turbo. Engaging Super Turbo will knock you back into your seat as the car peels out and the road flies by!


Hot Wheels(R) cars

There are seven different Hot Wheels (R) cars available in the game, but only two can be driven from the start. The others have to be earned by achieving different goals. Burn every opponent and leave them choking on your dust and each awesome Hot Wheels(R) car will be ready for your command! See the Earning Cars section on page 15 for more information.

VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
	Top-Speed 		How fast the car can go
	Acceleration		How quickly the car can gain speed
	Grip			Handling and maneuverability
	Turbo Recharge time	The time it takes until the next turbo is available

Semi Fast(TM) (99)
Top-Speed		----
Acceleration		----
Grip			----------
Turbo Recharge Time	---------

Tail Dragger(TM) (99)
Top-Speed		-------
Acceleration		----
Grip			-------
Turbo Recharge Time	----------

Track T(TM) (99)
Top-Speed		-------
Acceleration		--------
Grip			------
Turbo Recharge Time	------

Screamin' Hauler(TM) (99)
Top-Speed		--------
Acceleration		--------
Grip			----
Turbo Recharge Time	-----

Deora 2(R) (00)
Top-Speed		----------
Acceleration		--------
Grip			---
Turbo Recharge Time	----

Turbo Flame(TM) (96)
Top-Speed		--------
Acceleration		----------
Grip			---
Turbo Recharge Time	---

Whatta Drag(TM) (98)
Top-Speed		----------
Acceleration		----------
Grip			-------
Turbo Recharge Time	-


Earning Cars

Only the top racers can handle all of our Hot Wheels(R) cars! Win your races, find all of the secrets, and get the best cars. Each special extra car adds to your racing experience and makes you the most eminent driver on the circuit!

When you begin the game, you will have access to only two of the cars. The remaining cars will have to be earned by accomplishing the following objectives:

	Complete Championship mode at the Novice level of difficulty.

	Complete Championship mode at the Amateur level of difficulty

	Find all of the Secret Areas in the Wave Watch level.

	Find all of the Secret Areas in the At the Office level.

	Find all of the Secret Areas in the Slumber Summit level.


Turbo

When you press the Turbo button, your car gets an extra speed boost. Check the gauge attached to the RPM meter to see when your Turbo is recharged. When the turbo is charged the light at the top will blink. Hit Turbo and burn rubber!


Super Turbo

Super Turbo boosters are found in Secret Areas. They can only be used once and give your car a mega boost of speed. Be careful when you use a Super Turbo, that much speed can cause unwary drivers to lose control!


Changing the Camera View

Is somebody about to pass you for the lead? Check the rear view to make sure. Change between the forward camera to the rear view mirror by pressing the rear view button. The switch is instant and lasts as long as you press the button. But don't forget to watch where you're going!


Options

Choose the wrench icon to go to the Options menu where you can change screen resolution, the game's difficulty level, and peripheral controller configurations for player one and player two. You can also turn the video card option on or off in the Options menu.


Screen Resolution

The Screen Resolution option will switch between 320 x 240, 640 x 480, and 600 x 800 resolution when you click on it. The lowest resolution, 320 x 240, is best to keep the game running quickly on slower computers. The highest resolution, 600 x 800, is best for computers with fast processors and lots of RAM.


Video Card

The Video Card option will switch between on and off settings when you click on it.

Choose Video Card Off if you don't have a 3D video card.

Choose Video Card On if you do have a 3D video card to make the most of your machine and get the highest quality game resolution.


Difficulty Level

Choose from between Novice, Amateur, and Pro. Start with Novice if you're new to racing games. Before you can race as an Amateur or Pro, you need to unlock 'em by placing first in the Championship mode. Soon you'll be on the Pro circuit! 

Choose the smallest person on the left to race three laps as a Novice, the one in the middle to race four laps as an Amateur, and the biggest one on the right to race five laps as a Pro.


Peripheral control

This is where you can select game peripherals such as the keyboard, joypads, or mouse. You can change the default game control to one that fits your gaming style. 

In single-player games you can switch from one peripheral to another seamlessly. In other words, you can use the keyboard then a joypad or mouse to control your car in the same game.

In two-player mode you select which peripheral control to use.

Choose the single-player option to set the controls for player one.

Choose the two-player option to set the controls for player two.

Choose the Exit icon to quit Hot Wheels(R) Micro Racers(TM) and return to your desktop.


