TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The Amazing Race: TV Tropes Edition!

Go To

Discussion thread can be found here.

We've had the Hunger Games, Big Brother, and even Battle for Dream Island (BFDI)! Yet, even with all of these reality show-esque threads here on Forum Games (whether they be controlled by the tropers themselves or a simulator), one thing has been boggling my mind... there hasn't been a TV Tropes version of The Amazing Race yet.

Similarly to, yet different from its fellow CBS reality programs (including Survivor and the aforementioned Big Brother), the premise of The Amazing Race is quite simple: 11 teams (or more) of two travel to different countries and complete challenges in order to be the first team to arrive at the Pit Stop at the end of the leg, with the last team to do so risking elimination. Once 3 (rarely 4) teams are left standing, it's an all-out race to the Finish Line (with challenges as usual), and the first team to make it is declared the Official Winner.

Before we get started, let's lay down the basics of the game.

    Basics 

I would use an actual simulator for this, but the Amazing Race simulator on BrantSteele got set to private, and the ones on Scratch didn't meet my expectations. So to improvise, I'll let you (the tropers) control the characters you nominate, and I'll act as the host.

Each troper must nominate two avatars from their gallery (preferably with a pre-existing relationship, such as "Brothers", "Best Friends", or "Flight Attendants"), making one team. For this season, we'll do the usual 11 teams, and whoever decides to host the next one decides, and it goes from there. Each team will earn a set amount of money at the start of each leg, which they can use to pay for all travel expenses except for flight (such as trains and taxis). If a team spends all their money, they may obtain more in manners that do not involve law breaking, such as selling possessions, begging from the locals, or borrowing money from other teams.

Each team will also get a clue at the start of each leg, which will tell them where they will have to go next. Clues can also be obtained at route markers or after completing tasks. Route markers are usually attached to the boxes that contain clues, but some may mark the location that the teams have to go to next.

If a team arrives at the Pit Stop last on a leg, they will be eliminated unless the leg is a Non-Elimination Leg; if that's the case, the team will be allowed to continue racing, but they will have to perform a Speed Bump in the next leg: a task only they have to complete. Teams are never told which legs are Non-Elimination Legs in advance, and it's only a matter of luck. Teams may incur a time penalty at the Pit Stop for not completing a task properly or not completing a task altogether. Teams incurring a time penalty will have to wait for their penalty to end before being checked in, which can allow other teams to check in before the team with the penalty.

Each leg has a set of two tasks. These tasks vary in type. One type of task is the Detour, a task that has two different sides ("A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons."). Upon arrival, teams are given details about both sides of the Detour, but they may only complete one side, and both members have to complete the task. Usually, one side of the Detour is more physically-demanding and takes less time to complete, while the other side is less physically-demanding, but requires thinking and takes more time to complete.

Another type of task is the Roadblock ("A Roadblock is a task that only one team member can perform"). Prior to arrival at a Roadblock, teams read a vague question about the task that's to come (such as "Who's really hungry?" for a challenge about eating ostrich eggs). Teams may figure out the task by observing their surroundings, using common sense, or witnessing other teams performing the Roadblock. Unlike a Detour, however, only one member of each team can complete a Roadblock, and the other member is not allowed to help. If a leg has two Roadblocks, the team member who sat out the first Roadblock must perform the second one.

Other Amazing Race terms include:

  • Fast Forward - A task that multiple teams can attempt, but only one team can fully complete. The team who completes the Fast Forward task is allowed to skip all other tasks in the leg and go straight to the Pit Stop. Any other teams at the Fast Forward task will have wasted their time and will have to continue the leg from where they left off prior to the Fast Forward.
  • U-Turn - Allows a team to force another team to complete both sides of the Detour. A variant of this is the Double U-Turn, which allows two teams to use the same U-Turn.
  • Yield - Allows a team to force another team to stop racing for a predetermined amount of time, usually 30 minutes. Teams are usually informed of when a Yield is going to be in the leg if the message "Caution, Yield Ahead!" is written on the clue.
  • Superleg - A double-length leg with two sets of tasks. A Megaleg is similar to this, but it lacks a proper midpoint/rest area.
  • No-Rest Leg - A leg that ends with a Pit Stop, but teams are handed their next clue immediately and are ordered to keep racing. What differentiates this from a Superleg is that on a No-Rest Leg, it and the leg after it are counted as two separate legs.
  • Express Pass - A pass, usually given to the team who finishes first on the first leg, that allows the recipient to skip any task of their choosing without a penalty except the Fast Forward. Teams may be awarded two Express Passes, one or both of which can be given to another team, and rarely, an Express Pass can be handed out after a task.
  • Save - A pass, obtained either by finishing first on the first leg or completing certain criteria, that allows the recipient to save themselves from elimination if they finish a leg in last place. If the leg turns out to be a Non-Elimination Leg, then the Save will be returned to the recipient if they attempt to use it.
  • Double Battle (also known as a Duel, Face-Off, or Head-to-Head) - A task, usually right before the Pit Stop, where two teams compete against each other. The winning team will receive their next clue/check in at the Pit Stop, while the losing team has to wait for another team to arrive at the Double Battle location and try again. The cycle repeats until all but one team has won the Double Battle, and that team will either incur a 15-minute time penalty or instantly be eliminated.
  • Starting Line Task - A task that is performed at the Starting Line. All teams must complete this task before continuing with the race.
  • Intersection - Requires two teams to perform a task together. If multiple teams are present at the Intersection, teams may choose which team they would like to pair up with; conversely, if no teams are present at the moment, any given team must wait for another team to arrive, though they can opt to not pair up with that team and wait for another.
  • Switchback - A task that was previously featured in a different season, usually brought back due to difficulty or significance.
  • Driver's Seat - Allows the first team to arrive at a designated board to decide how much work the remaining teams will be required to do at the succeeding task. For example, Jonathan & Ana from The Amazing Race 37 decided which teams had to harvest 15, 20, or 25 pounds of rice at the fourth leg's Roadblock.
  • Fork in the Road - A choice between two tasks, similar to a Detour. However, in a Fork in the Road, the choices are connected to different routes. Teams make their choice by placing their "Courtesy Of" photo on the route that they would like to take, like they would at a U-Turn or Yield. Once the choice is made, it cannot be changed, and the team will have to follow that route for the rest of the leg. Only a limited number of teams can select each route.
  • Valet Roulette - Teams blindly pick a car key from a wheel and give it to the locals to find out whether the car they chose for the leg is manual or automatic.
  • Scramble - Presents teams with three different tasks or challenges that they must complete; however, they may complete the tasks in any order they'd like. Each task that is completed rewards a team with a portion of their next clue, and receiving all the portions allows the team to put the clue together.
  • City Sprint - A leg where teams must complete a series of tasks in the city that they're in for the leg before returning back to their starting point, doubling as the Pit Stop. There are no Roadblocks or Detours in a city sprint.

And also for clarification, if you're interested in playing the game, please be active. We don't want the game to be delayed or rendered completely inactive because of an offline player.

Now, without further ado, it's nomination time!

    Season 1 
Host: Wanderlust (pretend he uses Discoball to travel between areas)


Contestants:

EDIT: Now has an official TVT page, with a character sheet for Season 1 currently in the works!

Edited by iReekOfLemons on Jul 3rd 2025 at 3:20:55 PM

TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#1826: Jun 27th 2025 at 7:58:08 PM

Mirabel's branch soon vanishes, and she screams as she falls down. Thankfully, her collar gets snagged on one of the stable branches down below, and Luisa reaches out to her and lifts her onto the branch.

"Dios mío, that was close…"

"Don't panic sis, just climb onto my back and don't look down. We're almost there."

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
pizzastropes180 Charlie Disco from your wallet (Season 2) Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Charlie Disco
#1827: Jun 27th 2025 at 8:01:23 PM

aaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_2024_09_13_195627647.png ...Well, that was unpleasant...A-and Samjo, aren't you going to help?

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_2024_09_13_195327639.png ...But the drink mix-

We can sample that later.

"And for one night only...you can get your revenge." / NEW
YourEternalTroper Matikane Tannhäuser from Tracen Academy (Uma Earth) Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Matikane Tannhäuser
#1828: Jun 27th 2025 at 9:57:07 PM

Jean goes out and climbs a peppermint tree, slowly but surely. However, upon trying to grab a branch, it struggles to maintain its rigidity and breaks under the weight of her hand.

Looks like it's not this one...

Jean climbs another peppermint tree, positive that the clue is there, only for one of its branches to break again, forcing her to descend and find another peppermint tree.

Another one.

Jean climbs the third peppermint tree, one with evenly-spaced stripes, and the tree somehow maintains its sturdiness. Jean finally grabs the clue she needed, located at the top of the tree, and slowly goes down to the ground.

Edited by YourEternalTroper on Jun 28th 2025 at 12:07:36 AM

Matikane Tannhäuser, now departing for the front line! Ei, ei, mun!
callmeamuffin Just getting into Utena... (he/they) from the kitchen (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Thinkin' about you, muffin
Just getting into Utena... (he/they)
#1829: Jun 27th 2025 at 10:52:45 PM

Tsubomi and Erika eventually climbed onto the first peppermint branch.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tsubomi_hanasaki_precure.jpg This branch seems sturdy. Erika-san, I'll test the next branch up, but I might need you to hold onto me in case I begin to fall.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/erika_kurumi_heartcatch_pretty_cure_8.jpg Don't worry. I'll do anything to protect you! ദ്ദി ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ )

Tsubomi held upon the second branch of the candy cane tree. It was slightly less sturdy, but still could hold one person on it for a while. On the third branch was where the next clue was resting.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tsubomi_hanasaki_precure.jpg I'll try my best to reach the clue from this branch.

As Tsubomi began to reach for the next clue, the branch she was standing on began to crack off from the candy cane tree. What was worse was that the branch was near the Taffy Swamp.]]

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tsubomi_hanasaki_precure.jpg Oh no! I'm gonna fall! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!!!!!!

Tsubomi was so frightened about falling off the branch, and it didn't help that she was very high up from the swamp.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/erika_kurumi_heartcatch_pretty_cure_8.jpg Tsubomi-san, I'm here!!! ─=≡Σ(([ ⊐•̀⌂•́]⊐

Erika grabbed onto Tsubomi's legs, just before the second branch could break. As Tsubomi tried to reach her hand further up to the third branch, albeit held up by Erika and not the branch, she eventually collected the next clue from it. However, the cures still needed to get down from the tree first.

Working on Sandbox.The Amazing Race TV Tropes Edition.
TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#1830: Jun 28th 2025 at 4:39:39 AM

Mirabel holds on tight to Luisa as the latter continues climbing the trunk, making sure not to grab the double-stripes this time. She finally reaches the very top of the tree and grabs the clue, which was attached to it like a Christmas star. Luisa then sits on one sturdy branch and lets Mirabel sit beside her before reading the clue.

"Okay.... Unless the clue says something about it... How are we gonna get down?"

"Simple, just hold onto me again as I slide down the trunk!"

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
iReekOfLemons Truman X from SUPERIOR (Troper in training) Relationship Status: I'd need a PowerPoint presentation
Truman X
#1831: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:08:16 AM

Clue 7: PIT STOP! Make your way to the Sugar Rush Castle.

Wanderlust, narrating: This here is the castle of Sugar Rush, where the game's royalty—or, in the Litwak's version's case, self-proclaimed president—watches over the sugary wonderland. This is the Pit Stop for this leg of the race. The last team to check in here may be eliminated.

Truman X: Technology expert and son! (RIP Jansen Panettiere, 1994-2023)
starmate3 Come to the place where party is king! from Piñata Island Since: Jun, 2024 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Come to the place where party is king!
#1832: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:10:23 AM

After reading their final clue, The Piñatas head to the castle, hoping to continue their first place streak.

So grab a stick and take a swing! Do the Piñata thing!
pizzastropes180 Charlie Disco from your wallet (Season 2) Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Charlie Disco
#1833: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:16:55 AM

(after like- hours of the two trying and failing to grab their clue...samjo manages to grab it after something involving broken kart parts and the laffy taffies. dont ask.)

"And for one night only...you can get your revenge." / NEW
TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#1834: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:26:29 AM

Luisa and Mirabel turn around and see the castle in the distance.

"H-How are we gonna get there in time?"

"I know this is quite risky, but... I want you to try bending this entire tree to catapult us right there!"

"What?! Are you sure about this?"

"Well, you weren't that badly injured in the kart race, so I figure that there's a giant sponge cake inside the castle to cushion our fall!"

"But you're weaker than me! What if there isn't one inside?"

"Trust me on this, Luisa, I don't think we'll die in this game even though we're outsiders, and we don't have much time!"

Luisa gulps. "I-If you say so..."

She grabs onto the top of the tree while Mirabel piggybacks her again. Luisa then shakes the tree back hard to bend it back and forth, and Mirabel closes her eyes to avoid getting dizzy. Luisa bends the tree harder, making it swing like a giant metronome, until she forcefully pulls back on it and releases. The Madrigals then scream loud enough for the others to hear as they launch themselves into the air and go flying towards the castle.

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
callmeamuffin Just getting into Utena... (he/they) from the kitchen (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Thinkin' about you, muffin
Just getting into Utena... (he/they)
#1835: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:36:50 AM

Tsubomi and Erika eventually got off their candy cane tree. Tsubomi went forward to read the next clue:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tsubomi_hanasaki_precure.jpg "Clue 7: PIT STOP! Make your way to the Sugar Rush Castle."

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/erika_kurumi_heartcatch_pretty_cure_8.jpg Tsubomi-san, I think I can see the castle from the distance! ☆(≧▽≦)☆

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tsubomi_hanasaki_precure.jpg Let's walk together and follow the bridge all the way there.

The cures left the Candy Cane Forest, but not without Erika collecting and keeping some of the small candy cane sticks for herself.

Edited by callmeamuffin on Jun 29th 2025 at 10:45:35 PM

Working on Sandbox.The Amazing Race TV Tropes Edition.
starmate3 Come to the place where party is king! from Piñata Island Since: Jun, 2024 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Come to the place where party is king!
#1836: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:38:47 AM

The Piñatas would reach the castle and enter the pit stop, waiting to see how they placed.

So grab a stick and take a swing! Do the Piñata thing!
TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#1837: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:43:51 AM

The piñatas would hear the Madrigals screaming as they then crash through the window and land right in front of them. They then skid across the floor, which had whipped cream accidentally spilled on it by one of the castle servants a while ago, until they end up sliding on the placement mat.

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
pizzastropes180 Charlie Disco from your wallet (Season 2) Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Charlie Disco
#1838: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:47:44 AM

(..the couple actually oversaw the madrigals little trick!)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_2024_09_13_195627647.png ..I might have an idea.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_2024_09_13_195327639.png I think I know what it is by your tone alone...

(..and they get to making a makeshift slingshot out of the trees and some taffies (with their permission of course).)

"And for one night only...you can get your revenge." / NEW
callmeamuffin Just getting into Utena... (he/they) from the kitchen (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Thinkin' about you, muffin
Just getting into Utena... (he/they)
#1839: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:48:25 AM

The cures continued on their way to the Sugar Rush Castle by crossing upon the long wafer bridge to where the castle is located. It was a long way to get to the castle.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/erika_kurumi_heartcatch_pretty_cure_8.jpg How much of the bridge is left to cross? ´ ᯅ `

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tsubomi_hanasaki_precure.jpg It's so far away. I can't stand it anymore!

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/erika_kurumi_heartcatch_pretty_cure_8.jpg True, Tsubomi-san. The Pit Stop is far, far away. Further than Far Far Away! 𖦹 ´ ᯅ ` 𖦹

Eventually, the cures reached the entrance of the Sugar Rush Castle, and arrived at the Pit Stop, tired from all the walking.

Working on Sandbox.The Amazing Race TV Tropes Edition.
pizzastropes180 Charlie Disco from your wallet (Season 2) Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Charlie Disco
#1840: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:52:09 AM

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_2024_09_13_195627647.png A little further...

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_2024_09_13_195327639.png Im not sure if this is entirely a good idea now that I think of it-

Aaaand-

(the FLING!)

"And for one night only...you can get your revenge." / NEW
starmate3 Come to the place where party is king! from Piñata Island Since: Jun, 2024 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Come to the place where party is king!
#1841: Jun 29th 2025 at 5:57:56 AM

Upon seeing the Madrigals in front of them, both run up to them to check on them.

Hey, are you girls OK?

If you are, that wasn’t a bad attempt to fly, for someone who has too many limbs. But, seriously are you OK?

So grab a stick and take a swing! Do the Piñata thing!
TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#1842: Jun 29th 2025 at 6:01:07 AM

The Madrigals don't stir for a while. It appears that their stunt took out a lot from them, but if the piñatas check their pulses or breathing, they're still alive, at least.

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
DecafGrub47393 Since: Oct, 2013 Relationship Status: Love is an open door
#1843: Jun 29th 2025 at 6:08:06 AM

Nigel and Abigail make their way to Sugar Rush Castle, and are able to find the pit stop by following another team, stepping on the mat.

Edited by DecafGrub47393 on Jun 29th 2025 at 9:08:26 AM

Here's looking at you, kid.
pizzastropes180 Charlie Disco from your wallet (Season 2) Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Charlie Disco
#1844: Jun 29th 2025 at 6:08:08 AM

(..and seconds later the couple faceplants onto a castle wall.)

"And for one night only...you can get your revenge." / NEW
iReekOfLemons Truman X from SUPERIOR (Troper in training) Relationship Status: I'd need a PowerPoint presentation
Truman X
#1845: Jun 29th 2025 at 10:21:29 AM

OP forgot to point this out, but Wanderlust isn't the only one waiting for teams at the check-in mat. Ralph and Vanellope are there too, the latter of whom arrived after every team completed the Roadblock. In order, Wanderlust reads the placements to the teams...

Wanderlust: Pecky & Pierre, you are team number one! As the winners of this leg of the race, you have won yourselves an all-expenses-paid trip to a fictionalized version of South Korea, which you will be able to enjoy after the race. Mirabel & Luisa, you are team number two! Hopefully you'll be alright after catapulting yourselves here... and them too. (referring to Dongrang & Samjo, who landed on the wall as earlier stated and whom Wanderlust can see through one of the glass windows) Tsubomi & Erika, you are team number three! Nigel & Abby, you are team number four!

Edited by iReekOfLemons on Jun 29th 2025 at 1:21:39 PM

Truman X: Technology expert and son! (RIP Jansen Panettiere, 1994-2023)
YourEternalTroper Matikane Tannhäuser from Tracen Academy (Uma Earth) Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Matikane Tannhäuser
#1846: Jun 30th 2025 at 12:01:45 AM

"Pit stop! Make your way to the Sugar Rush Castle."

The sisters are lagging behind the competition, but they have to reach the castle before they're eliminated.

But...what if those idols make it first?

Don't worry about them. Focus on getting there first.

Suddenly...

Is that the castle written on the clue?

They see the castle, they huffed and puffed and scratched and clawed their way there. Eventually, they see the pit stop at the castle and, with what little breath they have left after making their way to the castle, check in at the pit stop...flat on their bellies and totally drenched all over.

Did we make it...?

Edited by YourEternalTroper on Jul 1st 2025 at 2:04:16 AM

Matikane Tannhäuser, now departing for the front line! Ei, ei, mun!
pizzastropes180 Charlie Disco from your wallet (Season 2) Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Charlie Disco
#1847: Jun 30th 2025 at 12:17:22 AM

(after some minor recoiling, the two check in as well.)

"And for one night only...you can get your revenge." / NEW
TroperNo9001 Dragon in Waiting from the Dollhouse (Wise, aged troper) Relationship Status: I turn to stone when you are gone
Dragon in Waiting
#1848: Jun 30th 2025 at 3:58:51 AM

Mirabel and Luisa soon come to, and they see the other contestants, Wanderlust, and even Ralph and Vanellope surrounding them.

"Did… we… make it?"

"We landed ahead of the piñatas, didn't we?"

"Sorry girls, but they still got ahead of you," says Ralph.

"That was still a sweet entrance you made, though!" adds Vanellope. "And 2nd Place is still an achievement! Congrats!"

"Really?! Gracias!" says Mirabel.

Luisa, on the other hand, looks at Ralph's muscles in awe and gets up to shake hands with him.

"A Nicelander told us about you, and you do live up to your name, huh? Nice meeting another strong person!"

Still waiting for someone to break him free...
iReekOfLemons Truman X from SUPERIOR (Troper in training) Relationship Status: I'd need a PowerPoint presentation
Truman X
#1849: Jun 30th 2025 at 11:16:58 AM

~Just Normal Music Lover The leg's about to end, in case you you want to drop by and check your characters in.

Wanderlust: Barbara & Jean, you are team number five. Dongrang & Samjo, you are team number six.

And just like that, only one more team has yet to check in. Will Aya & Chisato's race reach an end or will they be saved once again?

Truman X: Technology expert and son! (RIP Jansen Panettiere, 1994-2023)
starmate3 Come to the place where party is king! from Piñata Island Since: Jun, 2024 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]

Total posts: 1,954
Top