"Too short, but still plenty of fun!"

Following the success (and failures) of other Arcade games being ported onto the Dreamcast and Playstation 2, Sega decided to take 18 Wheeler from the arcades to the Dreamcast. You are a truck driver that has to take loads to four different cities across the USA, Key West, Dallas, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, making sure the cargo gets there safely. Plus there are four drivers to choose from. Sounds simple right? Wrong. Not only is there a strict time limit, which you will most often lose to, you also have to race against another trucker named ''Lizardtail'', the self proclaimed best trucker in the US of A, and don't you forget it!

Graphics: 9

Just like in the arcade version, the people at Sega really paid attention to detail here. Especially with the tornado in the second level, and the way it throws cars around like toys. The trucks and cargo look just like they would in real life. Not to mention the stuff on the dashboard that moves around when you make a turn, which adds a nice touch. The cars there were detailed quite nicely too, but they can look a little bland, but this does not hurt the score.

Sound / Audio: 8

They added music to the radio. Nice touch, but you can not choose your music, you are forced to listen to that, even if you hate it. You are also equipped with the CB radio, which Lizardtail and other friendly truckers will talk to you (especially Lizardtail) but if you do not like this, this can also be easily ignored if you turn down the volume. The collisions, truck screeches, were done very well.

Controls: 7

They added the realism factor into the controls. It takes a while to speed up, plus if you are going fast into a turn you don't turn very well. I am not one of those simulation people, who would rather speed up very fast, like in the racing games, so this is a good area for me. But if you prefer to speed up really fast, and have unreal controls, you won't enjoy this area of the game

Gameplay: 5

Okay, this is where the game starts to take a downfall. Like I mentioned earlier, this game is really short, there is only four cities in Arcade mode. There is parking mode, where you have to do certain objectives to pass it, and two more you unlock once you pass the first four. Then there is score attack, which is like a single race. But you will see everything within one hour or two at the most. But you can still have some fun with the parking mode.

Replayability: 4

Again, this depends on how you look at the game. If you enjoy driving 18 wheelers, you will probably have lots of fun with this game, as do I once in a while. But if you just got this game to try it out, you probably will not want to play it again. It is just how you view the game.

Buy or Rent?:

This game is perfect as a rental, since you will beat everything within the time you have it. However, if you are looking to add games to your Dreamcast collection, find it for a great deal (8 dollars or less), or you love 18 wheelers, this game is a must buy.

Overall: 6.6 rounded up to 7.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/11/03, Updated 07/14/03