Okay, this is another one the reasons that Playstation just had to be created. It is showing off its stuff and doing it in style with this game of pedal to the metal!  Racing just does not get any better than this. I have to interject here that I am a huge racing fan of real time racing as well as gameplay, so I am a pretty hard critic when it comes to this genre. Like all true blue racing fans I want to feel the speed beneath my wings if only virtual time.

You have a choice here of twelve cars and not just twelve cars per se. You can choose drive a NASCAR, gotta love it! Or a Mustang. Too bold? How about a Escort and for the piece de resistance how about a self built one? From bolts to tires it’s all your baby and you know that it is a winner from the moment you see it shine.

Now that you have the vehicle of choice the time has come to choose a track to race it on. You have ten choices to choose from and each one has its own special quality. You can choose to run the race standard style, sprint style (short race) or endurance (which really gives you the feel of the track and real time racing. For fun try out the backward style where you hit your laps going clockwise. Not only fun but guaranteed to bring a few chuckles of appreciation.

Some playing options are head to head, championships or practice. Now if you have been playing racing games for about as long as you can remember than jump into the head to head. On the other hand, if you feel a little rusty (as in Wallace) you may want to take a few practice laps to get the feel of the track and get comfortable with the car you will be driving. The practice is just as much fun as when you get into the thick of the race and gives you a chance to try several cars and see which one you are more comfortable with and gives you the feel of total control.

When you feel as if you can go for the gold the time has come for the Career Mode. Like real time NASCAR you will set up your car and driver. Remember that this is for the long haul so you will have to work your way up the ladder. You will find yourself trying to win the little challenges to work your way into the big time. As with real-time racing make sure you place well so that you can unlock new cars and new tracks. I love the choices you get and each race big or small still affords the same fast gameplay and this is something you just do not find in every racing game. A winner on all counts!

Install: N/A

Gameplay: 9.5
Plenty of fun and fast gameplay goes with this game. You can feel the rubber burning and you turn in your chair as the car turns. No matter what level you choose you can be assured of it all being fast and furious!

Graphics: 9.5
Each car is beautifully detailed and no one is exactly alike. Everything from flags to track is as realistic as they come which makes this true style racing in every sense of the word. Drivers are perfect as they help reflect you personality and how you choose to run the course.

Sound: 9.0
High quality sound in every way. From the gunning zoom of the engine to the real time sounds you hear at any track this game is a winner on all counts.

Difficulty 9.4
One thing you will notice immediately is that the difficulty factor never falters at any junction. Although championship gives you a more challenging level, practice speed can also be just as challenging and never feels as if you are just in it for the practice.

Concept: 9.3
Racing has been around for almost as long as consoles themselves. What distinguishes this game from all the others is the style in which it is presented. Playstation always gives you that extra edge and pushes the envelope just a little further. Plenty of options on everything from tracks to cars give you the feeling of several games in one package.    

Multiplayer: 9.4
One or two players. Either option will give as much good gameplay as the other but I recommend to get the most out of the game that you try both at least once.

Overall: 9.4
This is one of those racing games, which is as much fun for a die-hard racer as someone who just enjoys the challenge of racing itself. I have been playing for hours and have to admit that some of the fun is just trying out the different cars afforded. It really lends to different gameplay each time and that is something that all of us gamers are always on the lookout for. Racing just doesn’t get any better than this!