Monster Truck Madness 64

I promise I won't use the expressions "redneck" or "dumb" when describing this game, although--as im Cordano has pointed out, that might limit me a bit. As an Englishman, comprehending the American male's fascination with big trucks with ludicrously enormous wheels is something of a challenge. What's the big idea? And then the whole wrestling connection. Why does my truck have Hulk Hogan's arms stuck to the wings? Huh? Oh well. As racing games go, I've played better. When Microsoft released the PC version of this, people went nuts for it, but personally I just don't dig the whole bouncy big-tire and extreme terrain thing. What saves the game from being a complete mess though is the less than serious attitude toward power-ups and collectibles. Seeing a big heavy truck streak across the landscape at ludicrous nitrous oxide-induced speed is quite a laugh...as is the weird "hover mode" that momentarily lets you fly around. As a multiplayer game it all comes into its own even more, but I still can't help feeling that the very nature of the trucks themselves is the biggest let down. They're not fun to drive. Graphically it's quite lovely, even if it does have that uniquely N64 "soft focus" look. It's very solid and smooth, and the tracks are nicely designed--if a little uninspired.

Just when I thought I'd seen the last of the mediocre N64 racers, BOOM--this thing appears. The control is sloppy as hell. It feels like you're hydroplaning out of control over a vast, open field. It's apparent the developers tried to capture the exaggerated physics of a monster truck but forgot to make it fun. On the plus side, there's a load of recognizable trucks. Big Foot, Grave Digger, etc. and the mini-games aren't bad. Give it a rent if you're a redneck.

I think the way the trucks control is terrible--they're so bouncy and ridiculous. You can slide around corners but it doesn't feel right. Maybe that's how Monster Trucks are.Jf it is. I'm glad I've never had to drive one. The power-ups are pretty cool, but there are only a couple that are really worth using--the missiles and the hover thing. Considering this was a big PC hit I'm very disappointed. I don't think it even looks that great to be honest.

Quite possibly America's greatest sport--aside from wrestling. Until now, my childhood dream of getting behind the wheel of one of these monsters was smashed when I realized they weren't street legal. After you get over the flighty control, you can begin enjoying racing around all kinds of terrain. Could've used more attention to the commentary, internal saves so you wouldn't have to write down passwords, and Expansion Pak support to clear up some of the fog.