Knight Rider Special

"Easily the best Knight Rider game"

When I say this is the best Knight Rider game, this isn't counting the PS2/PC game, seeing as how I haven't played it yet. It's not surprising this is the best Knight Rider game, considering the previous ones were on the Atari, Commodore 64, and NES. It is also not surprising that Japan can make a better game based on an American TV show then America can. Ah well, on to my review.

Music: 6/10
The music is not great, but it isn't gut-wrenchingly irritating. Unlike the NES version, the opening song sounds nothing like the theme from the show. Either the Japanese version of Knight Rider had it's music changed, or they were to lazy to program the theme. The level music is quiet and barely noticeable as you play.

Sound: 4/10
There's only one reason I gave this section such a low score. Instead of the normal engine noise one gets with racing-type games, we are treated to a high-pitched ring. As you move faster, the beep gets louder and faster. Since there isn't much to shoot at until you get to a boss, this can just drive you insane. The rest of the sound effects, like the gun fire, explosions, and the Japanese version of Mr. Feeny.......er, I mean K.I.T.T., sound just fine.

Graphics: 8/10
Typically, games on the Turbo Graphx 16 look really good. Knight Rider Special is no different. K.I.T.T. is very detailed. When the car shifts position, the shading and reflection of light on the car changes. The other vehicles have this same attention to detail. The backgrounds have some variety to them. As you chug along through the different areas of the levels, various changes will happen. The lighting of the sky will change, a city will pop up in the background, you'll go into a pitch-black underpass, etc.

Controls: 8/10
The controls are very straight forward. A switches weapons, B shoots, and C is jump/speed boost. The controls are somewhat realistic to, like if you hold left or right to long, you'll spin out of control.

Gameplay: 8/10
Unlike it's predecessors, Knight Rider Special is a fun game. While driving through the levels, you aren't getting shot at every 2 seconds, until you fight the bosses anyway. The fact that you can spin off the road, get bumped by other cars, and crash into lamp posts makes you have to pay attention to what you're doing. The bosses are a pain in the butt. You're under constant fire from them and there's no meter that shows their energy. Also, you only have one life for the whole game. This can get frustrating, because the bosses will usually kill you once or twice.

Buy/download?

If you want to play a good Knight Rider game, download it. Even non-Knight Rider fans should be entertained.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/13/03, Updated 06/30/03