"A gorgeous car-chase game."

Well, I promised in my Galaga review to be back with a Spy Hunter review, so here I am.

So what's up? Well, let me clarify that I really like the ''car chase'' games. I love the Driver, Grand Theft Auto (I MUST have GTA III man... it's the best PlayStation2 game ever made so far!), A2 Racer (only released in the lowlands) and Need for Speed series. And that's why I like Spy Hunter too.

D Mattsen, the other guy who's written a Spy Hunter review, said that this is the best old school game ever made. Well, I don't agree with that, since the sequel, Spy Hunter II was MUCH better then the first episode. But in the time it was released it WAS the best game by far. It was far superior to ANYTHING else out then, in terms of graphics, music & sound and gameplay. This once was what GTA III is now.

GRAPHICS - 5/5

I HAVE to give it the highest rating possible, of course. And here are the reasons why:

-The tracks are long, and well designed. The landscape changes as the track develops, wich is nice. Grass, trees, bridges, water, sand... you'll all find it back on the tracks.
-The cars are well designed, and there are always plenty of cars on the road.
-There's always plenty of action. Chases, shooting, it's all there.

Also, everything goes REALLY fast and the animation always goes smooth. Might I add that the game DOESN'T slow down ONCE! For such an old Arcade game, this is groundbreaking! Now gimme a reason to NOT give it the highest rating possible...

MUSIC & SOUND 5/5

Well, the sounds of the cars, crashing, firing etc are all well and good. But the REAL reason it's got the high rating is ofcourse... it's got the infamous theme to Peter Gunn! I think the Peter Gunn theme is one of the best themes ever made! Marvellous.

GAMEPLAY - 5/5

Well, like I said, the game goes fast and is a real challange for the hardcore gamer. On the road are other cars you have to encounter. Off the road are obstacles like trees you have to encounter. And then there are those nutballs who are firing at you two. Everything goes with an incredible speed. I swear ya, you can play this game for hours! As for gameplay, I really don't think Spy Hunter is less good then GTA I or II. Wich says alot, since those games were made twenty years or so after Spy Hunter...

OVERALL - 10/10

Well, what else is there to say? While it's an old game, it's still (fun)2 to play. And if you like car chase games (like me) you HAVE TO play it! I've spoken.

Next time I'll review another of my favourite Arcade games. A game that everybody has played once or twice (at least I think), namely Pac-Man! See you then!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/26/02, Updated 05/26/02