Choro Q video games

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The Choro Q video games are a series of console games based on Takara's Choro Q toy cars (also known as Penny Racers in English-speaking markets). The games have been localised for Western release under many different names, including Gadget Racers, Penny Racers and Road Trip.

Most of these games were developed by external companies, although they are usually credited to Takara since the developers' name rarely appears outside of the ending credits. Some of these developers include Tamsoft (Choro Q, Choro Q 2 and Choro Q 3), Barnhouse Effect (Shin Combat Choro Q, Choro Q HG and Choro Q HG 4) and E-game (Choro Q Wonderful, Choro Q HG 2 and Choro Q HG 3). Most are auto racing games with extensive opportunities for customisation, often including RPG-style elements such as towns and side-quests.

[edit] Overseas releases

Only three games in the series were released outside of Japan prior to 2001 (including the 1984 MSX game by Taito Corporation, which is unrelated to the later Choro Q titles) - Choro Q for the PlayStation (released in Europe only as Penny Racers) and Choro Q 64 for the Nintendo 64 (released in North America and Europe as Penny Racers). However, since 2001 many of the titles have been released in the US and PAL regions as budget titles, by publishers including Conspiracy Entertainment, Midas Interactive Entertainment and Play It!.

[edit] Series history

Choro Q (MSX), 1984 - Developed by Taito Corporation
- Europe: Choro Q (Electric Software, 1984)

Choro Q (PlayStation), 1996 - Developed by Tamsoft
- Europe: Penny Racers (Sony Computer Entertainment, 1996)

Choro Q 2 (PlayStation), 1997 - Developed by Tamsoft

Choro Q 3 (PlayStation), 1998 - Developed by Tamsoft

Choro Q Jet: Rainbow Wings (PlayStation), 1998 - Developer unknown

Choro Q Jet (Sega Saturn), 1998 - Developer unknown

Choro Q Marine: Q-Boat (PlayStation), 1998 - Developed by Barnhouse Effect

Choro Q 64 (Nintendo 64), 1998 - Developed by Takara
- North America: Penny Racers (THQ, 1998)
- Europe: Penny Racers (THQ, 1999)

Combat Choro Q (PlayStation), 1999 - Developed by Barnhouse Effect

Choro Q Park (Sega Saturn), 1999 - Developer unknown

Choro Q Hyper Customable (Game Boy Color), 1999 - Developer unknown

Choro Q Wonderful (PlayStation), 1999 - Developed by E-game

Choro Q 64 2 (Nintendo 64), 1999 - Developer unknown

Perfect Choro Q (Game Boy Color), 2000 - Developer unknown

Choro Q HG (PlayStation 2), 2000 - Developed by Barnhouse Effect
- North America: Gadget Racers (Conspiracy Entertainment, 2001)
- Europe: Penny Racers (Midas Interactive Entertainment, 2002)

Choro Q Advance (Game Boy Advance), 2001 - Developer unknown
- North America: Gadget Racers (Conspiracy Entertainment, 2001)
- Europe: Penny Racers (Xicat Interactive, 2002)

Choro Q HG 2 (PlayStation 2), 2002 - Developed by E-game
- North America: Road Trip (Conspiracy Entertainment, 2002)
- Europe: Road Trip Adventure (Play It!, 2003)

Shin Combat Choro Q (PlayStation 2), 2002 - Developed by Barnhouse Effect
- North America: Seek and Destroy (Conspiracy Entertainment, 2002)
- Europe: Seek and Destroy (Play It!, 2003)

Boku no Choro Q (PlayStation), 2002 - Developer unknown

Choro Q Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance), 2002 - Developer unknown
- Europe: Gadget Racers (Zoo Digital Publishing, 2003)
- North America: Road Trip: Shifting Gears (Conspiracy Entertainment, 2004)

Choro Q HG 3 (PlayStation 2), 2002 - Developed by E-game
- Europe: Gadget Racers (Zoo Digital Publishing, 2003)
- North America: Road Trip: Adventure Avenue (Conspiracy Entertainment, cancelled)