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Doritos Crash Course

Doritos Crash Course is a side-scrolling developed by Wanako Games and published by Game Studios for the via , released on December 8, 2010. In the game, players control customizable Xbox Avatars competing in a fast-paced, humorous format, running, jumping, sliding, and avoiding hazards across 15 levels set in environments inspired by the , , and . The title supports both single-player campaign mode, where players collect stars and medals to unlock content and achievements, and multiplayer options for up to four players, including local split-screen and online competition over Live. As an promoting the snack brand, it integrates branded elements like power-ups and themes tied to the product's bold flavors, while emphasizing arcade-style fun and accessibility with no initial cost, though in-app purchases for cosmetic items were available. A sequel, Doritos Crash Course 2, developed by and released on May 8, 2013, expanded the formula with visuals, four new worlds including jungle ruins and Egyptian deserts, additional mechanics like wall-jumping and power-ups, and enhanced asynchronous multiplayer features for sharing replay clips. The original received generally positive reception for its lighthearted and party-friendly design, earning a score of 74 out of 100 based on critic reviews praising its engaging controls and replayability. The title is backward compatible on and Series X|S consoles, allowing continued play on modern hardware.

Development

Conception

The "Unlock Xbox" competition was a promotional partnership between Microsoft Game Studios and Frito-Lay's brand, launched in 2010 to crowdsource innovative game concepts that embodied the snack's bold, adventurous spirit. The initiative invited U.S. gamers to submit ideas for advergames, drawing from over 1,500 entries to select finalists for development and release on the platform. Among the two finalists announced on January 25, 2010, was "Avatar Crash Course," a high-energy game created by Jill Robertson of . Robertson's concept centered on players navigating customizable Xbox 360 avatars through fast-paced, physics-based challenges filled with comical mishaps, supporting both solo play and multiplayer modes for up to four participants with power-ups like speed boosts. Drawing inspiration from Japanese game shows such as and its Western adaptation Ninja Warrior, as well as similar physical challenge formats, the idea mimicked timed obstacle courses designed to test agility and endurance in a humorous, over-the-top style. On December 30, 2010, following public voting by gamers who played the released finalist games, "Avatar Crash Course" was declared the winner and rebranded as Doritos Crash Course to emphasize its tie-in with the Doritos sponsor. Robertson received a $50,000 prize and a six-month consulting role with Doritos to guide further gaming promotions. This fan-driven origin positioned Doritos Crash Course as a , leveraging the avatar system to create an accessible, party-style experience rooted in real-world entertainment influences. The winning concept transitioned into full production by a development team, marking the contest's success in blending consumer input with commercial .

Production

Doritos Crash Course was developed by Wanako Games, a studio based in Santiago, Chile, which was acquired by (later rebranded as ) in November 2008. The game was published by Game Studios as a free download on . Following the announcement of the game's selection as a finalist in the "Unlock Xbox" competition on January 25, 2010, development proceeded throughout the year, culminating in its release on December 8, 2010, after which a public voting period allowed gamers to play and vote on the finalist games. Key design choices emphasized seamless integration of avatars as the playable characters, enabling players to use their customized figures in a side-scrolling format. The gameplay featured physics-based obstacles, such as swinging pendulums and crumbling platforms, to create dynamic, momentum-driven navigation reminiscent of obstacle courses. Production faced challenges in balancing the elements, including prominent branding through in-level billboards and stage intros, with core engaging mechanics to avoid alienating players. Additionally, the team's and humorous narration drew inspiration from hosts, framing the experience as a televised competition with witty commentary to enhance the lighthearted tone.

Gameplay

Mechanics

Doritos Crash Course is a side-scrolling where players an navigating obstacle courses through a series of physical actions. The scheme employs a standard , with the left thumbstick handling directional movement, the A button for and grabbing onto obstacles like ropes or poles for momentum-based swinging, and the left or right triggers for dashing to gain speed. Additional maneuvers include sliding under low obstacles by holding down on the thumbstick while moving, ducking in place by holding down while stationary, and performing a super jump by jumping immediately after sliding. These controls emphasize timing and precision, allowing players to build momentum for swings or leaps across gaps and platforms. The game's physics system features exaggerated, cartoony responses that balance accessibility with challenge, including high jumps and slippery surfaces that require careful control to avoid slips. Collisions with hazards like swinging hammers, conveyor belts, or projectiles result in the tumbling off-course, often depicted with humorous ragdoll-like flailing during falls, leading to restarts from the nearest checkpoint. Checkpoints appear periodically throughout levels, and a "chicken" (RB ) allows players to skip difficult sections after repeated failures, though this forfeits medal eligibility for that segment. Multiplayer supports up to four players in both local split-screen and versus modes, where participants race through the same courses simultaneously, competing for the fastest completion times. Scoring is time-based, awarding , silver, or medals depending on performance, with penalties applied for using skips or excessive retries; leaderboards and ' ghost times enhance competition by displaying comparative results during play. Unique to the game is its game show-inspired presentation, featuring live audience cheers and humorous animations for the , such as dancing at level starts and exaggerated wipeouts, which add levity to failures. Promotional elements integrate branding through in-level billboards and environmental motifs, like Doritos-shaped obstacles, tying into the game's origins without disrupting core interactions.

Levels and Modes

Doritos Crash Course consists of 15 obstacle courses divided across three worlds—, , and —with five levels per world that progressively increase in difficulty as players advance. The levels introduce basic challenges, such as "Safety First" and "Nothing But Air," featuring obstacles like ropes, fans, and hammers. 's courses, including "Slip Ride" and "Swinging In The Rain," incorporate trampolines, conveyor belts of varying speeds, and shaky platforms. The levels, such as "Rebounding Again" and "Muzukashii Wheel," present the most demanding trials with rebounding surfaces, complex wheels, and precision-based paths. Common hazards across all worlds include collapsing floors, swinging pendulums, vertical pistons, swinging hammers, metal climbing chains, and paintgun pellets that push the backward, requiring players to time jumps and movements carefully to avoid falls. Each level emphasizes unique combinations of these elements tailored to the locale, building on core platforming skills like swinging from ropes or riding moving platforms. The game supports multiple play modes to suit different experiences. In single-player campaign mode, users navigate the full set of levels to earn gold medals based on completion time and performance, unlocking cosmetic awards such as themed hats and accessories tied to the brand promotion. Multiplayer party mode allows up to four players to race competitively through any unlocked level either locally or online via Xbox Live, fostering head-to-head challenges without direct on-screen collision. mode extends replayability by challenging players to beat personal bests or global leaderboards for optimal times in each course. Levels incorporate checkpoints that respawn the avatar nearer to the failure point upon a crash, facilitating progression through longer courses without restarting from the beginning. Achieving bronze, silver, or ratings in levels contributes to overall unlocks, including Doritos-branded customizations for avatars that players can equip outside the .

Release

Launch

Doritos Crash Course was released on December 8, 2010, as a digital download on for the console. The game was offered as a free download, serving as a promotional sponsored by under , with no upfront cost to players but featuring integrated advertising for the snack brand throughout the experience. This model aligned with ' broader strategy of fan-engaged promotions, building on initiatives like the "Crash the Super Bowl" ad contest. Marketing efforts centered on the game's status as the winner of the Unlock Xbox challenge, where it emerged victorious from a public vote held concurrently with its launch from December 8 to 26, 2010. Promotion included placements on the dashboard and campaigns coordinated by to drive downloads during the holiday season. Initially exclusive to the , the title launched amid year-end holiday promotions to capitalize on seasonal gaming traffic.

Availability and Compatibility

Following its initial release as a free download on , Doritos Crash Course saw a brief expansion to other platforms with the launch of Doritos Crash Course Go!, a version adapted for and , on April 11, 2013. This port retained the core gameplay but was optimized for touch controls and the ecosystem. However, Doritos Crash Course Go! was delisted from the in mid-May 2014, likely due to low sales or expired licensing agreements related to the brand. The original Xbox 360 version was removed from the Xbox Marketplace on May 9, 2013, shortly after the announcement of its sequel, with the delisting attributed to potential licensing issues involving the . Despite the 2013 delisting from the Xbox 360 Marketplace, the game remains available for free download on the for and Xbox Series X|S via as of November 2025. Following the Xbox 360 Marketplace closure on July 29, 2024, the game continues to be freely downloadable on compatible systems. In terms of modern playability, Doritos Crash Course was added to Microsoft's program for on December 17, 2015, enabling seamless play on that console without additional hardware. This support extends to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, where the game runs natively and retains its free status for compatible systems as of 2025. The title continues to be accessible via users' existing digital ownership, though no official updates or re-releases have been announced by or .

Reception

Critical Response

Doritos Crash Course received mixed or average reviews, earning an aggregate score of 74 out of 100 on based on five critic reviews. The user score on is 6.7 out of 10 based on 77 ratings. Critics generally praised the game's fun multiplayer mode and humorous presentation, which integrated Xbox 360 avatars into a lively format reminiscent of television game shows. However, it faced criticism for its short length, repetitive obstacles, and occasional frustration in navigation. Notable reviews highlighted the game's strengths as a casual party title. VideoGamer awarded it an 8 out of 10, commending its addictive gameplay and broad accessibility, noting that "it's one of the most fun and addictive games available on XBLA and playable by almost anyone." Similarly, (UK) gave it an 8 out of 10, describing it as "a tasty morsel that won't hurt your wallet," emphasizing its free availability and lighthearted appeal. In contrast, GameFocus scored it 63 out of 100, critiquing the experience as overly frustrating despite solid controls. The game's primary strengths lay in its accessibility for casual players and seamless avatar integration, allowing users to control their personalized avatars through intuitive jumping, sliding, and swinging mechanics that encouraged quick sessions with friends. Its humor, driven by announcer commentary and cartoonish failures, added to the vibe. Weaknesses included a lack of depth in single-player mode, where the easy difficulty curve quickly gave way to repetition without substantial progression or variety beyond basic obstacle navigation. Doritos Crash Course has been viewed as a nostalgic title, evoking the chaotic energy of obstacle courses like those on Saturday evening television, and remains fondly remembered for its model and social multiplayer features in the early digital download era.

Commercial Performance

Doritos Crash Course achieved notable commercial success as a free downloadable title on , rapidly accumulating downloads following its December 2010 launch. Within two weeks of release, the game surpassed 1 million downloads, establishing it as the fastest-downloaded XBLA title in history at the time. By the end of 2010, downloads had exceeded 1.4 million units. This early performance was propelled by its no-cost availability and the integrated branding, which tapped into the snack company's established consumer base through cross-promotional efforts like the Unlock Xbox challenge. The game's momentum continued into 2011, with downloads reaching over 4 million worldwide by September 2013. Although it generated no direct revenue from sales due to its free model, the title delivered substantial value through brand exposure; research indicated that 49% of Live users who encountered related ads purchased products, while 72% took some form of action post-exposure. This integration of within gameplay helped elevate the visibility of the brand to casual gamers, contributing to the broader trend of advergames on platforms like XBLA. In the long term, Doritos Crash Course exemplified the potential of branded free-to-play experiences, influencing subsequent advergame developments by demonstrating how non-endemic advertisers could engage gaming audiences effectively.

Expansions and Sequel

Downloadable Content

The City Lights downloadable content pack for Doritos Crash Course was released on January 2, 2013, priced at 160 Microsoft Points (equivalent to $2 USD). This expansion added ten new courses divided into two regions—five in Las Vegas and five in London—alongside remade versions of the base game's Japan levels, bringing fresh urban-themed challenges to the obstacle course gameplay. The new levels emphasized city-inspired aesthetics, including neon-lit environments and night-time settings that incorporated elements like collapsing bridges and Vegas-style spectacle, while maintaining the game's promotional integration of Doritos branding through themed obstacles and visuals. The DLC also introduced three new achievements, encouraging completionists to revisit the game nearly three years after its initial launch. Reception among players highlighted its straightforward and quick nature, with the additional content extending playtime modestly for owners of the base game but attracting limited uptake due to the title's age and the niche advergame audience. It enhanced multiplayer variety by providing new tracks for competitive runs, though no further expansions followed.

Doritos Crash Course 2

Doritos Crash Course 2 is a free-to-play platformer video game developed by Behaviour Interactive and published by Microsoft Studios, released on May 8, 2013, for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. The sequel builds on the original game's mechanics of navigating obstacle courses with avatar characters, expanding the content to include four themed worlds: the Amazon rainforest, Antarctic, Ancient Egypt, and Pirate Island, each featuring five courses filled with traps, pitfalls, and environmental hazards. Players run, jump, slide, and wall-jump through these levels, competing for medals and collecting stars to unlock additional courses, power-ups, and cosmetic items. New features include enhanced co-op modes supporting up to four players in split-screen or online multiplayer, along with improved physics for more dynamic interactions with obstacles. Compared to the original, Doritos Crash Course 2 offers a longer with 20 courses across its worlds, introducing more varied and complex obstacles such as swinging hammers, conveyor belts, and split paths to increase and replayability. The game incorporates elements, allowing purchases of stars with real money to accelerate progression, though all content remains accessible through gameplay. It was delisted from the storefront on April 24, 2014, following the shutdown of its online servers on October 15, 2014, which disabled multiplayer features but preserved local play for owners. Unlike the first game, it is not backwards compatible with or Xbox Series X/S consoles. The received generally positive feedback for its entertaining and expanded content, with reviewers praising its family-friendly fun and accessibility despite the model. User scores averaged around 6.1 on aggregate sites, highlighting enjoyment in co-op sessions while noting frustrations with microtransactions and some repetitive level designs. By 2025, the game maintains a nostalgic presence in gaming communities, where owners continue to access it on original hardware for local multiplayer, evoking memories of era titles.

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