Top Gear

"Intense racing, but not the best"

The SNES has produced many great games and Top Gear falls into the category as one of the greatest racing games on the system, although not one of the best overall. Speed, mind-bending turns, and of course the use of gears that not many racing games include accumulate to a great addition to any SNES collection. Its only flaw is a slight lack of variety.

Most racing games feel like a fun, effortless ride through a set course with no surprises. If you are expecting this from Top Gear, look elsewhere. Never have I felt a sense of speed so great, that I actually broke a sweat. As the race starts you start out in gear one. Gradually as you gain momentum, you'll switch to gear two, three, and so on. Eventually (if you're brave enough) you will come to gear five. If max speed is reached on this gear, the landscape becomes a blur and the only thing to focus on is your car and the road. However, if you bump or run into anything at this top speed, your car will quickly lose its momentum and you will have to switch back to a lower gear. At times the rapid changing of gears makes you feel as if you're working a machine, rather than racing. The desire to reach this maximum speed again is the only reason that the gear system maintains its purpose. Along with the gears, pit stops are an amazing addition to the gameplay. If you choose a car with a high max speed, the downside is a high fuel consumption rate. The opposite goes for a car with a low max speed. Whichever car you choose, the pit stops are an essential part to finishing a lengthy race and the only thing that will differ from car to car is the duration of the stay.

For a game so solid in the gameplay category, a variety of cars to choose from seems appropriate. However when you start the game, only four cars are available from the menu screen. No, not forty, just four! At least minimal amount of your time will be spent choosing a car and that time can then be used on playing this excellent game. Another problem is the course variety. Yes, with many different countries to race in the possibilities could be limitless. The courses bear striking resemblances to one another in terms of course design. Sometimes I cant tell whether I'm in the UK or US due to the fact that both feature courses that are green and laden with trees. At least the car models and landscapes are solid and there are no noticeable glitches.

Top Gear features the weirdest combination of music that I've seen in any game. It is has a rock feel to it with a hint of techno. Whether you like it or not, the producers could not have done a better job of choosing songs. New York has the big city rock, while Las Vegas has that open country endlessness music. Intense speed is what Top Gear is all about, but sound comes into play too. What happens when two cars collide when traveling at 200mph plus? Loud sounds! It never feels awkward hitting cars at such high speeds due to the high quality of these animation sounds.

As you progress through the game you are given codes so you don't have to travel to the previous countries you've vanquished. It would get old if you had to continue beating the first level over and over to get to the newest course. Along with the single player racing mode there is also a two player mode in which friends or family can duke it out for the title of World Champion!

Overall, Top Gear is a classic that will not soon be forgotten. It is one of the first games ever to boast full-blown, in your face speed that would make professional race car drivers go cry to their mommies. The pros outweigh the cons and that makes any game worthy of your collection. Top Gear will make you think twice next time you step inside a car to drive. Don't get any ideas!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/14/06