Pocketbike Racer

"Now everyone can get glorified violence and sex appeal with their value meal!"

Pocketbike Racer is a promotional game recently released by Burger King to, well, promote Burger King. You can choose from 3 games, Pocketbike Racer (the best), Sneak King, and Big Bumpin, each of which are 3.99 with the purchase of a value meal.

Graphics

Well, quite suprisingly, the visual appeal of this game is quite nice. Some of the levels are very nicely done, with nice little details such as puppy dogs and peacocks. The explosions aren't the most incredible thing ever, but they pass. This game in no way can compare to Gears of War, but for four bucks, it holds up nicely. The character models are well done, the textures look nice, and the diffrent weapon effects are acceptable. Overall, 7/10

Sound

The music in this game is... interesting to say the least. In no way can this contend with MGS or Halo's soundtrack, but it definitely has a unique sound to it. Some of the songs are some sort of weird pop/death metal complete with guitar rifts and screeching microphones. The sound effects though are nothing out of the ordinary, you have your typical tire screech and explosion effects, nothing too original or creative here. 5/10 (average)

Gameplay

Fun! Yay! In game you race around on your pocketbike, go off jumps, shoot off missles and other stuff. It has a very Mario Kart-ish feel, and doesn't try to go for realism. You can do powerslides around corners, and boost for extra speed. Also scattered throughout the maps there are pairs of cones that you can drive through to fill up a bar on the right side of your screen. The higher this bar fills up, the better the item that you can use. For instance if you fill it up a quarter of the way you can fire off a missle, which would then deplete some of your energy. You can save up to get better items, or just use it to boost.

There are five diffrent stages total, each one changing in location, layout, and length. All of these stages are suprisingly fun, and have you zooming through backyards and across construciton sites. There are a few minor issues that detract, such as going to far off course results in you getting reset, with the reset wall being very hard to avoid in a couple of places. Overall, gameplay is very fun, and for four dollars, its a real steal. 9/10

Replay Value

You can do four player splitscreen, with four diffrent game modes, on five diffrent courses, with eight diffrent characters. A very fun pick up and play game. Not a whole lot of courses detract from the replay value though. Overall, 8/10

Rent or Buy?

Its four bucks, question answered?

Overall

A very fun game for four dollars, with a few minor flaws. Worth every penny. Great level design, fun characters, lots of diffrent pocketbikes each with their own set of stats. And plus you have missles that you can shoot into people while screaming BAMBAMBAMBOOM!!! >_>

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/30/06