18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker was released on May 18th 2000 by games developer Sega-AM2. In the arcades it had been quite an attraction, with a huge cabinet, giant truck steering wheel and lever, which when pulled emitted a loud 'HONK!' almost as loud as the real thing. And the scenes onscreen were just as pretty as the cabinet.
It was another simple idea, pick a truck from a choice of four, pick a load to pull and hit the American highways and by-ways in a bid to reach the next stop. And as an added incentive you also had a rival (The Lizard Tail) which on beating him gave extra money.
It truly was a joy to play, and little touches like magazines skidding around the cab's dashboard and cow skulls swinging wildly from the rear view mirror everytime the truck bounced around added to a great sense of actually 'driving' a big rig.
The stages were cool too, tiny chunks of America squeezed into each stage/level. There was what looked like Nevada, with truck wrecking cyclones, and small towns found in most parts of the United States complete with diners and gas stations on the roadside. The player even visited San Francisco, hurtling down its many hills in careless abandon!
Unfortunately there was a major downside - the games length. It could easily be completed in 20 minutes, and thats not 20 minutes per level, thats the game entire! And once completed there was little to no replay value. It might not have hurt so much if 18 Wheeler had been bundled with an array of cool extras but sadly it offered only one, a truck parking mini game in which the player had limited time to park the rig. It was totally inadequate.
All in all, Pro Trucker worked well in the arcades, where its shortness were a strength because of the busy nature of the places. But at home, with unlimited 10p pieces it was a major flaw on an otherwise playable title.
On 9th September 1999, Sega released a new console to an excited public, the now legendary Dreamcast. Many would argue the first in Next Gen visuals, and online gaming, the Dreamcast was overtaken by Playstation2 but never forgotten. To this day, a decade on, it is still a powerful force in the gaming world. This is my tribute to the console and games, where a poet becomes fanboy.
Sunday 31 January 2010
Crazy Taxi (Sega)
Crazy Taxi was first released in arcades in 1999, and brought to the Dreamcast in 2000, by games developer Hitmaker and published by Sega. The game was simple, pick a driver (young punk Axel, sassy Gena, old dude Gus or the totally cool BD Joe), then head out onto the streets to pick up passengers and drop them off at their desired locations. And these passengers didn't mind how many times you threw the cab around (in fact they gave bonuses) as long as the bumps weren't too rough and they arrived on time.
For a 'pick up and play' game this was hard to beat, and with its colourful, vibrant graphics, it instantly brought quality arcade gaming into the home. The cityscape was a mixture of downtown Los Angeles, with those ever popular hills in San Francisco thrown in for good measure (and crazier stunt opportunities). The inclusion of real life stores/eateries Tower records, KFC and Pizza Hut was also a nice touch, giving a wink to realism whilst the cars dynamics were anything but real and kept everything in balance.
For me, and many others, Crazy Taxi was the shot in the arm that console gaming needed, it really is this good. It has a few cool extras to keep on giving the player more. The one downside is the soundtrack which is very repetative because of the few songs on offer, and those offered are only by The Offspring. Thankfully those can be switched off.
So a truly wonderful title which stands out making other games look dreary beside it on the shelf. Crazy Taxi is pure arcade gaming bliss and can be returned to again and again whenever a quick arcade blast needs to be fulfilled. Just remember to bring your own music.
For a 'pick up and play' game this was hard to beat, and with its colourful, vibrant graphics, it instantly brought quality arcade gaming into the home. The cityscape was a mixture of downtown Los Angeles, with those ever popular hills in San Francisco thrown in for good measure (and crazier stunt opportunities). The inclusion of real life stores/eateries Tower records, KFC and Pizza Hut was also a nice touch, giving a wink to realism whilst the cars dynamics were anything but real and kept everything in balance.
For me, and many others, Crazy Taxi was the shot in the arm that console gaming needed, it really is this good. It has a few cool extras to keep on giving the player more. The one downside is the soundtrack which is very repetative because of the few songs on offer, and those offered are only by The Offspring. Thankfully those can be switched off.
So a truly wonderful title which stands out making other games look dreary beside it on the shelf. Crazy Taxi is pure arcade gaming bliss and can be returned to again and again whenever a quick arcade blast needs to be fulfilled. Just remember to bring your own music.
Speed Devils (UbiSoft)
Speed Devils, by software publishers UbiSoft, was released on October 30th 1999. It is a racing game where the player could choose from a range of decent vehicles and shred various colourful courses that included Louisiana, Mexico, Nevada, Aspen & Hollwood (full list at bottom). There are 4 classes to compete in, with the added plus of being able to place bets on the races, and if the player wins each race/bet they are able to spend the money on vehicle upgrades.
Initially I disappointed with this game due to the sluggish controls. The tracks are wonderful with UFO's, King Kong, Jaws and cyclones among just a few of the perils awaiting the racers. But you do get used to the controls after a while I can happily report, and while not as responsive as the controls for say Ferrari F335, they are pretty efficient after you get used to them.
I recommend this title if only to experience the different circuits, they are BRILLIANT and I never get bored of them.
Race with the devil, you'll be happy you did!
Full tracks:
Louisiana, Louisiana Tornado, New York City, New York City Winter, Mexico, Nevada, Aspen Summer, Aspen Winter, Canada (northern Quebec), Canada Light Winter, Canada Heavy Winter, Montreal Industrial, Hollywood, and Hollywood Disaster.
Initially I disappointed with this game due to the sluggish controls. The tracks are wonderful with UFO's, King Kong, Jaws and cyclones among just a few of the perils awaiting the racers. But you do get used to the controls after a while I can happily report, and while not as responsive as the controls for say Ferrari F335, they are pretty efficient after you get used to them.
I recommend this title if only to experience the different circuits, they are BRILLIANT and I never get bored of them.
Race with the devil, you'll be happy you did!
Full tracks:
Louisiana, Louisiana Tornado, New York City, New York City Winter, Mexico, Nevada, Aspen Summer, Aspen Winter, Canada (northern Quebec), Canada Light Winter, Canada Heavy Winter, Montreal Industrial, Hollywood, and Hollywood Disaster.
Disclaimer
The 'reviews' in this blog will never slip into technical details or data information, or any other gobbledegook so beloved of supposedly 'real' gamers (see: nerds). The games posts here will be free of such grandois pomp. This is where the HEART and SOUL of the Dreamcast's mighty software catalogue speaks, concentrating on the playing ability of level design and fun, not the technical intricacies or the in-depth search of the morals of the games stories. Lighten up, this is Sega; gamings balls out and play console!
Saturday 30 January 2010
Introduction To The Arcade Shell
The Sega Dreamcast was always my favourite console design. It reminded me of a beach shell, the ones you put to your ear and listen for the sounds of the sea. Only instead of waves crashing, it would be plasma guns firing or Sonic wading through another mob of cartoon enemy. The design was fantastic; solid, compact and a lid that opened, not with the urgency of a dvd player, but with the calmness of a zen ninja, inviting you to load another colourful adventure.
Everything about the Dreamcast rocked. The design is still (quite rightly) lauded to this day, and never more so deserved. Its rival at the time, the PS2 was a clunky doorstop next to it, whilst todays consoles, either Playstation3 or Xbox 360, look awkward, almost clumsy next to it.
Sega was wearing its 'Divine Inspiration' hat the day the wonderful Dreamcast was designed. Revel in all of its arcade goodness.
Everything about the Dreamcast rocked. The design is still (quite rightly) lauded to this day, and never more so deserved. Its rival at the time, the PS2 was a clunky doorstop next to it, whilst todays consoles, either Playstation3 or Xbox 360, look awkward, almost clumsy next to it.
Sega was wearing its 'Divine Inspiration' hat the day the wonderful Dreamcast was designed. Revel in all of its arcade goodness.
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