Top Gear

"Queen: "Another one bites the dust!""

Top Gear is one of the few racing games that have tons replay value. Nearly every racing game becomes boring after a while. Most of them require no skill at all, and seem to lack realism to spice up the controls. But there are a handful of racers that have the right stuff in the replay value department. Racers like Super Mario Kart, Gran Turismo 3, F-Zero, and Road Rash. Then there is Top Gear. It is one of the most fun racing games that I have played. With great sound and cool innovations, Top Gear is a game that everyone with a Super Nintendo should own. It was so close to perfection.

Graphics: 9/10
The tracks and the environments were amazing to say the least. It shows that SNES games can never be outdated. There is no slowdown at all, even in the two-player mode! The only problem was that all the cars looked the same. The only thing that makes them any different is the color. That’s it. But they are nice-looking cars.

Sound: 9/10
I love the music in Top Gear! Even the music in the title screen is good! Most of the music during the races are pretty good too, and are very clear. The only flaw was the sound effects; they could stand to be better.

Gameplay: 10/10
Top Gear is loaded with innovative creativity! It keeps track of where you finished (duh), and you get a certain amount of points depending on how you placed. After the set of races that you are competing in, the game sums up the points and if you have enough, you can unlock more tracks! Also, there are pit stops. There is a fuel meter in your car, and when you get close to running out of fuel, you have to refuel in the pit! Finally, there is nitro to make your opponents bite the dust! It has an arcade feel and is realistic at the same time.

Replay Value: 9/10
The only thing that can really bring you back for more is the tracks to unlock. There are more-than-a-few tracks that you can unlock, each are pretty diverse. But the thing that brought me back the most is the sheer fun of the game. That is the main part of Top Gear. Fun!

Challenge: 5/10
The only real flaw to this game is that it is so very easy! It doesn’t take much to come out as the victor in a race.

Top Gear, despite having a few flaws, is a must-have game for every single person with an SNES! If you don’t have this in your collection, why? Buy Top Gear now and you won’t be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/27/03, Updated 01/27/03