Jet Moto

"Jet Moto offers an unique racing challenge all its own!!!"

Based around a frictional vehicle called a Jet Moto, some sort of hybrid het ski/ motorcross bike/ hovercraft, the racing experience in Jet Moto, indeed, resembles quite a lot to Nintendo's highly touted Wave Race 64. The sad thing about Jet Moto is that it doesn't seem to get enough attention that it actually deserves.

There are more than 10 tracks available, ranging from tropical beaches, oceans, swamps etc to ice and snow. Jet Moto features over 20 vehicles, and each with unique controls. The vehicles are then divided into four teams. During racing, you can either choose to race with all men or all women. Besides all these, the game also features a two-player split screen mode, a season-long championship mode, customisable race criteria, a practice mode and so on.

The next thing i want to talk about is the design of the game. It's not about memorising the tracks, but thinking. Vehicle contacts happen too frequently. Besides, there are so many hidden shortcuts to take, as well as many alternate pathways. This allows a longer replay value. Trust me! Even after you have finished racing a particular track, you will still try and play it again to find new shortcuts to save your time. Ultimately, the game is definitely deeper than Wave Racer 64 or Wipeout XL.

The graphics do get paler in comparison when you talk about games like Wave Race 64 or Wipeout XL. Still, the level designs are visually appealing and well detailed. In terms of graphics, Jet Moto again can't be simply classified as good or bad. There are numerous instances when the game environments are breathtaking such as the death defying leaps off tropical cliffs but there are other moments when the graphics verge on laughably bad such as racing around ''walls'' of swamp reeds.

The controls are responsive and inituitive but too often, the controls feel vague and slow, with jet moto acrobatics seemingly performed in an atmosphere consisting of molasses. This seems to be just the way the vehicles handles, not the result of sloppy programming. Perhaps, that's why the game can't be truly lambasted for its unique feel. Anyway, it does take a while to get used to. On the other hand, the physics is top-notch. By the way, don't expect to see any analog support as the game was made in 1997.

The sound effects are generally quite good. If you happen to fall off the track, depending on which you choose- a man or a woman, the scream is different for different gender. Besides that, the sounds of the engine are also quite realistic.

Despite all these odd control and graphic characteristics, Jet Moto remains entertaining. Featuring intense, challenging races with over twenty competitors on ten unique tracks, it never fails to be compelling. Several different kinds of jet motos, terrain sensitive traction, speed, alternate pathways, hidden shortcuts, ruthless computer Al, artificial intelligence, the final product is a game that requires not only strategy but reflexes.

Overall, Jet Moto can perhaps best be described as a game in which the whole equals more than the sum of its parts. Without any doubt, the level design is bound to impress you and i strongly assure you that you won't be disappointed.

Graphics : 8.0/10.0
Concept : 9.0/10.0
Control : 7.5/10.0
Sound : 7.5/10.0
Gameplay : 9.0/10.0
Replay : 8.0/10.0
Challenge : 7.5/10.0
Overall : 8.0/10.0

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/25/00, Updated 12/16/02