Project Gotham Racing

"Get behind the wheel and get ready for a wild, wild ride!"

The infamous X-Box is launched with multiple titles on the market, but only one really stand out. A fast paced racer taking place in the streets of famous cities. Riding fast, and placing first is not your only goal in this game. Collecting points, also known as kudos, by getting some air, or skidding on a sharp turn. It's gonna take some speed, and some style to be the best. It won't be easy, it won't always be fun, but someone's gotta win...someone's got to be the best. Will it be you?

Obviously by now you have figured I am talking about Microsoft's ''Project Gotham Racing'' exclusive to the X-Box. Take it to the streets with one to four players. Use a wheel instead of a controller to double the fun and enhance your experience.

So now that your behind the wheel, your ready to break the speed limit and take the gold, but there's a problem...you have to choose what type of race you'd like to participate in. Kudos Challenge may be your choice since your a trickster and can easily rack up a high amount kudos, but what about Quick Race. How much time do you have? If you don't have much just take a few laps and your done! Ahhh....wait, don't choose yet! You still have one more option...Arcade Race, if you enjoy the closest thing to the REAL thing than this will take the cake. All of these will allow you to try to get a medal, bronze, silver or gold.

In Kudos Challenge you must maintain the lead while doing a special task, like getting a certain amount of Kudos. Quick Race and Arcade Race offer the same thing but without a special task.

Although those are the main three types of races you can compete in you can also try Time Attack Mode if you want to prove that you are #1.

Don't forget that you've gotta keep on playing if you wanna master the game. No I don't mean practice makes perfect, I mean that you get special awards and bonuses for many things even down to how many miles you've driven in all your cars.

Multiple levels and cars will keep you on your toes. Trying to access all the levels and unlock every car. If that isn't enough there is even a secret mode you can unlock, but that is for you to find out yourself.

That's not all. Crank up the TUNES!!! Choose from over ten different stations to listen to as your burning rubber. Record songs to your X-Box and insert them into the game to listen to your own favorite songs.

As your putting the pedal to the metal just take a few seconds to look at the scenery. The graphics are superb! Try not to gaze at them for too long or you'll slack behind it the race.

The controller in PGR is a snug fit. It's easy, and simple. Nothing to your discomfort. It's a very 'sensitive' game, a slight touch to the analog will move your car, so it is easy to overturn.

So start your engine and get to your local retailer and purchase Project Gotham Racing for the X-Box...you won't regret it!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/03/02, Updated 01/03/02