Playing Binary Mill's Mini Motor Racing reminds me of the countless hours I spent with RC Pro-Am on the NES as a youngster. I'm not sure if it's the isometric overhead viewpoint, the boxy little cars, or the way all the vehicles slip and slide around the track's tight twists and turns.

Whatever the specific reason, the comparison is definitely welcome. I've never been a huge fan of realistic racing sims – I'll take huge drifts around turns and nitro boosts over authentic brake physics and damage models any day. It's clear with Mini Motor Racing that Binary Mill feels the same way.

Binary Mill has taken full advantage of the iPhone's touch screen by implementing several unique control schemes. Control options include using a virtual steering wheel and gas pedal, tapping the left and right side of the screens to turn, or sliding a single bar to the left and right. Tilt controls were noticeably absent in this preview build, likely because Mini Motor's camera isn't placed behind the vehicle.

Mini Motor Racing's competitions are fast and frantic. On the shorter tracks entire laps can be completed in as little as 12-15 seconds. Even the "longer" courses feature brisk 60-second laps.

Although there is no actual car combat weaponry to speak of, the game's tracks are clearly designed to encourage players to get in each other's faces. It's not uncommon to go from first to sixth place after banging into an especially tight turn. This reversal of fortune also happened in my favor plenty of times, as I was able to collide, bully, and nitro boost my way from last back into pole position.

This early demo only featured single-player races against the AI, but Binary Mill has promised that the final release, due out before the end of the year, will feature local 4-player multiplayer over Bluetooth, and online races via Wi Fi. iPhone 4S or iPad 2 owners will also be able to utilize AirPlay to display the action on their TV. iCloud support is also in the cards, meaning all racing stats and progress can be shared seamlessly between devices.

So far I like what I've played of Mini Motor Racing. In our full review later this year I'll be keeping a close eye on the game's circuit-based campaign progression, and how the multiplayer functions come together. Keep reading IGN Wireless for all the news on Mini Motor Racing & all the other hot upcoming iOS titles.

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