Top Gear Pocket Game by Kemco Reviewed by DeathPunk E-Mail: deathpunk@yahoo.com Size: 8 megabits Save: Password Released: 1999 Works with: GB color only **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: First off, let me say that i looooove racing games, but also being someone who appreciates the portability of the gameboy, it's a real kick in the face that it couldn't pull off a good racer in the GB's 10 year history. Admittily I was a bit skeptical that the GB could pull off a great racer, since f1-race [one of the worst playing racing games known to mankind] was the best thing it had for a desent, behind the car [NOT overhead] racing game. Let's just pray that TGP can live up to the weight that the rest of the Top Gear games carry, upon their crome plated bumpers. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: TGP play great in almost everyway possible!! The game is fun and addicting, and it gives you that "one more time" feeling when you lose:) Also, great A.I. cars, tracks that range from slight curve speed tracks, to powerslidin', brake mashing tracks! Oh, and to my surprize there are jumps too:) Top gear pocket isn't without it's imperfections though! Small problems stick out badly, but none are really that bad. Just things like the collision detection!! i've had cars go right through me! And also, when you get hit slightly, the game acts like you just got smashed by a mack-truck, slowing you down to dead-stop!! Oh, and don't forget about your inability to hit the other cars your self!!! Because when you do, it just hurts YOU not them!! While these problems would kill a console game, it really doesn't hurt TGP that much. I know these problems sound awful but, they really don't bother me THAT much. Hey, and even with the MINOR flaws the game is still the best ride you'll find for the gameboy. Liked: Good computer A.I. that never is too easy, VERY FUN, earning tracks and cars:) Hated: Collision detection is awful! illusion of speed could be better:) spinouts instead of crashes:( **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: Nice looking, well animated cars on sparcely populated tracks. Thats right only 2, count em' 2, cars on screen at once!!! Oh, and that's two counting you!!!! [But hey, it's two great looking cars] Very pretty graphics, I was very surprized by them oh and nice road scrolling effect, that they stole from F1-race [you know light/dark alternating] this gives a fairly good looking effect:) Don't expect Beetle adventure racing [n64] but it does look as good as any NES racing game:) Liked: kewl looking cars, road scrolling effects Hated: Bare looking foreground, repeated backgrounds, cars look like they're sliding instead of moving on a road **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: In the sound and music department TGP fails to deliver.The engine and skid sounds are some of the best heard on gameboy, but even then it isn't very convincing:( Also, there isn't any music while you race, but i think it's for the better!! In any racing game, bad music is a big downfall,And with gameboys history of great music it REALLY is better to have no music, than not being able to turn off bad music ALA f1-race Liked: some of the skiding, and engine noise Hated: the Hi-powered, cars sound like wimpy lawnmowers:( **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The game has a nice "floaty" feel, kinda like wipeout [psx and n64] but it's not THAT floaty. Really responsive control though, Oh and you can POWERSLIDE!!!!! i didn't expect to be able to, but TGP pulls it off VERY well!!! There's also a great variety of cars and tracks! [8cars and 6 tracks] And unlike most games, each ca "feels" totally different, which is good. Also the tracks are well designed too, Dips and hills are plenty-full, most tracks have at-least one jump, and the tracks get progresivly harder as you go:) Liked: PowerSlides!!!!!! 8 cars, and 6 tracks [probly some hidden ones too] Hated: some tracks play a little the same **************************************************************************** Improve: Collisions, engine sound, illiusion of speed, improve background RIYL: NES racing games, top gear games, racing in general **************************************************************************** Final Words: If you want to get a rpg: get zelda! If you want a platformer: get Wario land 2...But if you what a racer: Get Top gear pocket!!! It does have a few flaws...but hey, what game doesn't? Plus it has what no other game i've ever seen has.....it's clear baby!!!! Hey if that alone doesn't make you run to the Toys R' Us, ya better check your pulse........ **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: *** Play Control/Game Design: ***** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 23 out of 25 Final Score: 92% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: