18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker

"Arcade truck racer, may touch some or may offer too little substance."

18-Wheeler: American Pro trucker, one of Sega’s classic arcade racers comes crashing onto the PS2, by way of the good people Acclaim, who have already teamed up with Sega, to bring the memorable Crazy Taxi, from the arcades to PS2. So the next arcade instalment, 18-Wheeler has much to live up to, and, well, it delivers in part.

The only real problem with the game, is its slight lack of substance to the more hardened gamer. The game is over a bit to quickly for some, whilst others keep on enjoying the arcade novelties it has to offer. Game modes include a wonderful set parking mini games, where you must park and maneuver your rig in different spaces allocated to it. This is my favorite mode, it is challenging but not impossible, I wish they’d included more levels on this one, oh well. There is a time trial, where you try to set the best time, on all the tracks, and an arcade mode, which is a port from the original arcade version of the game, racing against a rival trucker, you must drive from Key West to New York. The only problem with this one is that it is very hard, a little too hard for me in any case. Also there are single races, for you to practice your trucking skills, or just mess about.

In all modes you get to choose a driver, whom each have their unique set of stats and even a trailer, which can range from a digger to a portable home! Whilst racing, if you hit cars or walls etc, you damage your rig and loose money but if you hit a bonus car you earn extra cash which goes towards your final score, as well as all that your racing against a rival trucker, so plenty to do whilst racing.

Graphics 9 – Shiny, big, arcade graphics make it a pleasure to play on, a very impressive job, with good detail in places, and nice environments, which are breakable! You can break boxes and fences etc – great fun!

Gameplay 7 – Plenty to do whilst racing, and racing in huge trucks is a novelty in itself. The parking levels are fun to play on as well.

Sound 7 – Good rig sounds and voice-overs, although they do get repetitive. Menu music is fitting, but also repetitive, but overall, no a terrible job.

Life Span 6 – Not super, but not terrible either. If you’re touched by it’s hearty arcade novelties, you’ll love it and if not, then this isn’t one for you. A nice game overall, but may be too short for some. Also there is a 2-player made, and records for each mode, which will lengthen it.

Overall 7- Note that the game can be found very cheap now, so I’d go for it at £20, I think that it will be a good buy. Don’t be too put off with what I’ve said about it, it’s arcade charms certainly touched me, and it’s worth the money to me. May be an idea to rent, if your still not convinced.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/23/02, Updated 10/23/02