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by THQ
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This was a game that
I just wasnt that thrilled to review. I looked at the box and I thought
that racing monster rucks on a GBA seems a little ironic. The great
thing about monster trucks is their size, and here I was squinting to
make out my behemoth. It seemed to lack the grandeur and pageantry of a
monster truck rally. However, as I played, I saw that the game had more
in common with kart racers than I would have expected. Racing games just
havent held a lot of sway with me. There is really only one racing game
that has truly gotten me excitedMario Kart. I was genuinely surprised
at how much like Mario Kart this game is. There are plenty of Power-Ups
peppered throughout the tracks to give you that added advantage and
serve to make the game more than the tedious routine of going around and
around.
The graphics are
the real highlight of the game. Every time I think that Ive seen the
best that the GBA can produce, along comes a game like Monster Truck
Madness that just blows my expectations out of the water. This is one
great looking game. What really stands out, in my opinion, is the level
of detail in the trucks themselves. Youre not just choosing between
three trucks in three different colors. Each truck is nicely rendered
and distinct in both appearance and handling. It really does make a
difference what you drive and how. The sound is functional for the game.
I was surprised at the absence of music, but not unpleasantly so.
The tracks are long
enough to be challenging, yet short enough to keep you interested. The
game is broken up into three types of racing; circuit, rally, and
monster x. I really enjoyed the variety. With so many tracks and trucks
to choose from, Monster Truck Madness has a lot of replay value even if
it is missing a multi-player mode.
The damage feature
is kind of fun. Youre actually rewarded for demolishing breakable items
littered throughout the tracks. I mean whats the good of being in a
Monster Truck if you cant crush things under your oversized wheels? If
you run over enough things youll engage the Rampage mode where youre
pretty much unassailable for a few moments.
Details like vehicle damage and mud are impressive. This is a great game
to show what the Gameboy Advance can do. Is it a terribly innovative
game? No, not really. But its entertaining and its got plenty of
tracks to keep you coming back for more. To be able to go head to head
with one of your friends would add a great deal to replayability, but
with so much to do already in the game, it wont really be missed. So,
if youve had youre fill of Mario Kart, but still crave a little more
of the same, theres a lot to like in Monster Truck Madness.
Jason Frank (12/02/2003) |
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Snapshot
Ups:
Trucks are fun to race, excellent graphics
Downs:
Derivative of other titles
Platform:
GBA
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