Heads Up Displays are always being scaled back. DeadSpace last year might have pushed the idea of a hudless game, HUDs still can have their merits if they are nicely designed. We take a look at the top five racing HUDs and surprisingly none of them are from an older generation. We just simply couldn’t find any slick HUDs from yesteryear although that could just be a current design trend thing rather than a old games have terrible HUDs thing.
5. Wipeout Pulse
The Designers Republic designed all the menus and in-game companies for Wipeout but it never seemed like the Heads Up Display followed suit. Nope absolutely no Helvetica to be seen here. Still this Metroid-esque 3D Hud is the best of the crop and looks even better in motion.
4. GRID
The first of two Codemasters titles that are present is GRID. Very basic layout here along with simplified layout that informs without getting in the way of the action.
3. Spilt/Second
Dead Space did change the way that HUDs were perseviced although personally I’d opt towards some nicely laid out pictograms and typography. Nevertheless you’ve got to admit that Spilt/Second’s 3D HUD that’s stuck to the back of the car looks slick.
2. Colin McRae DiRT
Probably not the best screenshot but it will do. DiRT had some excellent informative visuals from it’s excellent menus and loading screens to it’s helpful in-game HUD. Really we are just suckers for anything that’s got Helvetica all over it.
1. Need For Speed Shift
Tall Sans-Serif, Check. Tilted 3D effect, Check. Animated Typography, Check. This HUD has everything going for it and it’s really sparked up a lot of personal interest for this title. Admittedly it’s because this HUD is so well designed.
I didn’t realise how bad that sounds until I read it aloud. I’m not a graphics whore… a design whore maybe.
Anyway, what are you favourite racing HUDs? I’m sure there are a few we’ve over sighted.
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