Tokyo Xtreme Racer Advance (Game Boy Advance) - Review by Andrew

Introduction

There's no question that there's less GBA titles being released now due to the phenominal success of the DS and while major releases are still produced for both formats, original titles are almost non-exsistant. It's perfect timing then for new European developer Liquid Games who aim to bring new and unreleased titles to the games hungry GBA audience. Better still their all at a budget price making an impulse purchase all the more likely. Tokyo Xtreme Racer has been out for some time on the consoles and even this GBA version is over a year old Stateside proving to be a favourite amongst petrol heads. Europe wise it seems to have suffered multiple delays and while this generally spells doom for the majority of titles let's hope the same isn't true here.

Gameplay

After starting TXR up you'll find a variety of modes most of which are self expanitory: quick race, free run and time trial. These are fine if you are against the clock but the real game is all in the 'quest' section. This takes place over three cities (Tokyo, London and Los Angeles) on six congested freeways with everything from busses and trucks to small cars pulling out in front of you with absolutely no prior warning. As you travel around you'll come across rival drivers which are obvious because of their location on the map and the rather large icon floating above their car. To challenge them it's simply a case of pressing the 'R' shoulder button and the countdown begins. The races themselves take part over the very same road you've been driving around with the finish line some two miles away from the races start. If you are successful (and early on you will be) you'll be awarded prize money which can be put towards purchasing new parts or even cars. As you continue to race the opponents become more difficult although the prizes are also greater. We did mention that there are six tracks in all and the majority of these are locked initially and only become available after you've beaten a given number of drivers.

Controls

This is actually very pleasing indeed with the cars having a genuine feeling of weight especially when navigating corners. There is the usual problem of simply bouncing off other vechiles rather than suffering any damage but this is only a game after all and you will find that the car you are racing against is doing the same.

Graphics

As you are looking at the screen shots just remind yourself that at the GBA's launch Nintendo were reassuring gamers that 3D games wouldn't be possible on the format. Impressive looking 2D but 3D, no way. It a testiment to developers like David A Palmer that games like this exsist at all. Yes, there's a short draw distance but what is on screen appears very solid. Most impressive of all are the various vehciles which populate the road which are not only well modeled but also feature those finer details such as brake lights flickering and debris flying up frm the tires should you brake too suddenly.

Sound

If you've ever been driving along while you passenger is attempting to find a decent radio station to listen to only to hear on finding one 'definately not that one'. This is possibly what the soundtrack for TXR will bring to mind and you'll no doubt be reaching for the volume switch to escape it's bland attempt at anything approaching a driving soundtrack. The sound effects are a little better but this is in no way a title which will be recognised for it's audio contribution to gaming.

Final comments

Given the obvious power constraints here Tokyo Xtreme Racer Advance is just about as close as you could get to the console version using the GBA's hardware. There's a fair few challenges to indulge in too although it does take a little too long to get going and the first track is far too simple even for beginners. Overall though the developers have managed to produce a fun and engaging driving title which should sit well in any GBA racing collection.

Pro: Loads of Rival Challenges, Impressive Visuals.
Con: Early Courses Too Simple, Terrible Music .
Final score: 6.9

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