I don’t think real Formula 1 races have collectible coins.
F1 Race Stars is an officially licensed Formula 1 racing game that focuses less on realism and more on arcade-like action. It was previously released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U. It’s now free-to-play on iOS devices. Developer Race Stars promises console-quality graphics and features — something other publishers have promised when porting consoles games or bringing their traditional genres to the multibillion dollar mobile-game industry.
And Codemasters is certainly a traditional console publisher. And like many others, it’s following industry trends by bringing one of its biggest franchises to the growing mobile market. While Formula 1 racing usually evokes images of realistic, competitive racing, F1 Race Stars looks closer to a Mario Kart with its colorful levels and cartoony racers. That style is in line with plenty of iOS hits, like Angry Birds and Candy Crush Saga, which feature colorful, cartoon-like visuals.
“This is an all-new F1 Race Stars development for iOS,” developer Codemasters senior producer said in a press release sent to GamesBeat. “It retains the depth of a console experience, but has been designed from the ground up for portable play. The handling is easy to pick up and features a new powerslide mechanic for building boosts as you race around each of our fast and furious new circuits. The game is packed with content, including different race modes, power-ups, and upgrades, and the rich single player experience is complemented by local multiplayer modes.”
F1 Race Stars is free to download from the Apple App Store for iPad 2 or newer, iPhone 4 or newer, and iPod Touch 5 or newer devices. It supports iOS controllers, but players can also use the iPhone and iPad’s native touch and tilt controls.