Tokyo Xtreme Racer Game by Crave/Genki Reviewed by Robby Cox koi@magicnet.net Save: VMU Released: 9-9-99 Works with: VMU, Jump Pack **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: Tokyo Xtreme Racer is the American version of Shutokou Battle. I really wanted this game on launch day, but I couldn't find it then. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Description: Tokyo Xtreme Racer is the only Dreamcast racer that I've played, but if this game is any indication, the Dreamcast is an awesome machine for racing games. TXR is a street based racing game in which you race other cars one at a time. You pull up behind a rival racer and flash your brights at him and take off. As you race, you have yo avoid other cars and the walls of the expressway that you race on. I guess I forgot to mention that, the entire game takes place on an expressway. It's a big track, but there is only one track for the entire game. You can race it forwards and backwards, but there's still only one track. It is an awesome track, but if you want neat & different tracks as you race, then you should look elsewhere. But if you want kick-ass, seat of your pants driving, then this is the game for you. There are several different modes of play. The Quest Mode is the main mode and in it, you race rival racers for money. With this money you are able to buy upgrades for your car or entirely new cars. There are over 130 different racers to compete with and each has his own story that is very interesting to read. So this is kinda like Pokemon in that to see everything, you gotta beat 'em all. My favorite rival so far is Herr Schneider. His description says that most people think that he runs a QA Department for a game company, but he's secretly a racer at night. In case you didn't catch the joke, they're talking about Peer Schneider, former Q&A Guru for IGN64. It's these little details that will keep you playing. Liked: Kick-ass gameplay. Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: TXR is a gorgeous game. The cars in the game put the cars in a replay of any other game to shame. The replays are even more breathtaking. I swear that this is one of the best looking games ever made. The track is almost as nicely detailed. The cityscape looks extremely reallistic, as well. The game package itself states that the game moves at 60 Frames Per Seconds. They're right, but only about 99 % of the time. Sometimes when there are lots of cars on the screen or there's 2 rivals on the screen plus your car, there is some slowdown. It's only until there's less cars on screen and it doesn't happen all that often, but I just wanted to mention that it's not perfect. It's just damn close. Liked: Amazing graphics. Hated: Slowdown. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: TXR has some awesome music. It has several different styles of music. There are techno tracks, heavy metal tracks, videogame music tracks, and even some kickass Asian pop tracks with vocals. The Japanese pop songs are awesome and you will catch yourself singing them even though you don't speak a word of Japanese. The song during the end credits is awesome. Thank god Crave recorded the tunes in Redbook Audio so that you can listen to them any time you want to, because the music select on the options screen doesn't allow you to access every song in the game. The sound fx are pretty good, too. Liked: Awesome music!!!!! Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: TXR controls nicely. The analog controls that the DC controller allows make this game a dream to control. The game design is good, but there might ought to be more modes of play. Liked: Great game design. Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Improve: More tracks? Just please make a sequel soon!!!! RIYL: Sega Rally 2. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Tokyo Xtreme Racer is an awesome game. If you like racing games in the least, then this game is worth the money. It is a blast and it is a worthy addition to your Dreamcast collection. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: ***** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 25 out of 25 Final Score: 100 % **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: None. Template courtesy of Philip Wesley.