007 Racing

And don't forget the stinger missile — you'll need it to destroy the helicopter that will dog you as you try to made your getaway.

007 Racing, an Electronic Arts release for the PlayStation, loads up on the Bond mystique and then treats gamers to an arcade-style romp. You have to drive through suspended missiles to add them to the arsenal, or through medical kits to restore vitality to your vehicle, and extend the game play.

No matter what you do though, Q (sounding a lot like John Cleese) will be looking over your shoulder, admonishing you to be careful with the finely tuned vehicle, a.k.a. weapon. There are 11 missions in all, each containing several objectives. In order to advance, you must complete every objective outlined in the briefing.

As far as the cars themselves are concerned – you get the option of driving (so to speak) some of the classic 007 vehicles, including the BMW, Aston Martin and Lotus. Each is fully equipped with the Bond arsenal, like smoke screens, rockets and machine guns.

Controls are relatively easy to use. You can use either the D-Pad or analog stick controls to pilot the car, and the weapons arsenal is inventoried easily through the ‘R’ and ‘L’ keys.

This program does support two-player gaming, though not in the mission's mode. Basically the two-player game is a race, with some interesting side elements. In the Challenge, you try to collect weapons and health packs and eliminate your opponent. In Pass The Bomb, you race toward the finish line with one player carrying a bomb. You collide with your foe to pass the incendiary device.

007 Racing is a program that features Bond-style missions simplified and spliced in with solid racing action. It is very much an arcade game, but is quite enjoyable nonetheless.

This program is rated for Teens due to animated violence.

Install: N/A
This product will use one block on a memory card

Gameplay: 8
If arcade style action on good-sized map boards appeals to you, this game has exactly what you want.

Sound: 8
Though consisting mostly of high-revving engines, machine-gun fire and explosions, this program also features solid vocal characterizations.

Concept: 8.5
The James Bond world just keeps expanding, but with quality elements.

Overall: 8
Console racing fans may find this a little lacking, but for those who enjoy doing more than just circling a track, this has just the right flavor.