ATV Quad Power Racing 2, Nintendo GameCube

It's true that ultimately no video game can duplicate the excitement of a real racing experience, but Acclaim's latest Quad Power Racing effort is still one of the most fun racing games around. Host to a commendable 15 circuits, five global environments, five modes of play, 25 tricks, split-screen multi-player mode, real-life sponsors and 10 genuine professional races including Kory Ellis and Tim Farr, ATV Quad Power Racing 2 is arguably one of the most extensive and in-depth racing games available after Gran Turismo. The circuits and environments alone emphasise the scale of Power Racing 2, and from a visual standpoint, the game looks gorgeous, highly detailed, glitches are very rare, and play isn't slowed down by split-screen gaming. Arcade style handling and simple controls mean the game is exceptionally easy to pick up, and with it's non-simulator approach to Quad racing, both newcomers and veterans of the genre will have no trouble pulling huge air, making incredible power slides and executing dozens of seemingly impossible tricks. Racing itself is quite intense. The computer AI is very much up to scratch and you'll more often than not find yourself in mid-race brawls with nearby racers competing for that elusive first place position. Feel free to kick and punch your way through races - you'll need to. Single Race, Time Trial, Career and Freestyle modes are all well and good, and victory is already satisfying when racing alone, but against a human opponent in split-screen mode, there's nothing more gratifying than stealing a race by playing dirty. Mario Kart for grown-ups, anyone? That pretty much sums it up.

Buy ATV Quad Power Racing 2 for 7.99 GBP

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