V-Rally edition '99 Game by Infogrames Entertainment Reviewed by [FA]----RueGorE RueGorE@netscape.net Size: 8 megabits Save: cheap password Released: 1999 Works with: Gameboy Color only **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: I heard this game's a hoot. Hey, a racer for Game Boy? Why not? I'm starting to get tired of platformers and RPGs... **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: Kick arse! This is so freakin' fast, and I almost forget that I'm playing a Game Boy game! This game rocks, and it has hills, road hazards, insane opponents bumping you off the road and into posts. This game is wild and pretty. The graphics are super sharp and very fast. There is absolutly no blurring. And the controls are right on. Awesome handling. Ride this baby...you'll love her. Liked: Everything! Except for... Hated: The fake crash scene. The box says "Amazing crash scenes!" ...what scenes? The car rolls over...so what? Oh and I don't like the small "killer" jumps...go too fast and you crash-n-burn. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The graphics are incredible. There are some effects I've never seen a Game Boy do that this game does. The artists definitly took their time to perfect this title. I just love the car animation. There are four cars total with different handlings. The cars are shown in full 3-D rotation view, which is also super-sharp. But just wait until you get on the road. Nice scenery that "rolls" with your direction, and the road has a real eye-perspective. It's not a "fixed" road that looks the same, it looks like a real road. Try crashing on the far side of the road and see the game center your view to see what I mean. This type of road makes realistic hills and bumps real. Watch out for the animals! Liked: Beautiful! Hated: No bridges? No jumps? (Bigger jumps please w/o the "crash-n-burn" on a 3-point landing....) **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Catchy stuff, but *GASP!* no tunes on the road?! You spend more time on the road and they don't supply you with at least 4 songs to choose while you race? Bummer man... But the music is pretty good and is not annoying. The engine sounds are not annoying, and are quite informative since you need to keep your peepers on the road for those turns; the engine sounds tell you how fast your going. This is really needed when making jumps, you'd know if you're too fast... Liked: Nice. Hated: Not really bad.... **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: Solid control equals great gameplay, hands down. Turns are realistic enough, and they are responsive according to which type of vehicle your driving. Everything is solid. This game has me sold. Liked: Solid controls Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Improve: Put bigger jumps in the game. Since the point-of-view graphics make the game look so real, Infogrames could make a jump look "big" by cutting the road (for a jump) and have another layer which looks like the ground or whatever way below, and if your car falls, they can just use the "shrink" animations of the opponent cars. Maybe a puff of smoke to make it look like you did crash. And take out that stupid "speed" crash after making a jump too fast. Instead, if you get bumped or jump off the side of the road, then you can "crash-n-burn". Try adding some more scenery to make each track look more distinct from each other. Add a two-player practice/tournament mode. That would really rock. A rumble feature perhaps? And put some nice cuts when you're on the road; driving without music really bites. Who here listens to CD's/tapes/radio when in the car? I think you all know what I mean... RIYL: Actually, this is one of the first of it's kind in the line of fast racers for Game Boy Color. Some games that come "close" are Top Gear Pocket and that old Indy game... **************************************************************************** Final Words: The best game I've played in a long time! Definitly has high replay-value 'cuz I still haven't beaten it. No I do not "suck", it's just CHALLENGING! :) I'd like to see a sequel to this game, but improved. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: **** Play Control/Game Design: ***** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 24 stars out of 25 Final Score: 96% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: Passwords to unlock ARCADE Medium and Hard Modes: Medium: FAST Hard: FOOD Enter these passwords in the options screen and press A when done. Then you'll pick your car and can drive on the other tracks.