F1 2002

"The first portable F1 game seriously worth considering for motorsport fans"

F1 2002 for the Gameboy Advance was a pleasant surprise. After playing and enjoying the game of the same name on the PS2, I had high hopes. And I wasn't disappointed.

Graphics - 8/10

The graphics in F1 2002 are pretty good. The cars look good, although when close up, they are a little pixellated but they don't get that bad at all. The tracks themselves are fantastic - unlike most other portable F1 games, I could actually recognize the track from the surroundings and track design. They are of great quality, too. Some barriers and walls are done in fake 3D, and look very good. The presentation is generally ok, with nothing wrong with it, but nothing outstanding either. The graphics category scores 8.

Sound - 6/10

Although the sound in this game are realistic, with the engines screaming like they do in real life, and the gravel traps sounding real, they are all a little fuzzy, and there are few sounds. All you are likely to hear in this game are the engine, the gravel, the menu music, and a few other sounds. The fuzziness of the sounds isn't too bad, but the sounds could have been a lot better. Sounds score 6.

Gameplay - 7/10

I was surprised at how good this game was for a portable F1 game. The handling of the cars is very good, the AI make mistakes, and the general racing is great. The lap times are actually very close to real life lap times for the tracks, too, unlike many other portable F1 games. The speed of this game is very good, too. It went much faster than I expected, and it goes as fast, maybe even faster, than its console counterparts, and without any slowdown.

There are three modes - quick race, season 2002, and championship. As you could pretty much guess, quick race is a single race, without qualifying. Season 2002 is a championship just like the 2002 season. Championship is a mode where you can make your own championship, with only the tracks that you want to race on. There is no time trial, although your lap record is saved from the races for you to try and beat.

Although F1 2002 is very fun, it lacks depth. It could have done with a few more modes, at least. If it had included a time trial, or a practice mode, then it would have been a lot better. Gameplay scores 7.

Difficulty - 6/10

There are two difficulty settings in this game - normal and difficult. Normal is quite easy, and ideal for those just starting out. Once you get good at normal mode, there' difficult mode, which is much harder. The AI brakes much later, and does a lot quicker lap times. So, there's a difficulty for everyone here. Difficulty scores 6.

Replay value - 8/10

F1 2002 on the GBA is the sort of game that's made for you to come and pick it up every now and then. Seeing as you can never finish it, it lasts you a long time. You have your track lap records to try and beat, the harder difficulty to race against, and of course, you can come back just to have a quick race. For the racing fans out there, this is a great game to buy to take around with you, wherever you go, and you can have a great bit of F1 racing in your pocket, that hardly ever gets boring. Replay value scores 8.

Reminders:
Graphics - 8/10
Sound - 6/10
Gameplay - 7/10
Difficulty - 6/10
Replay value - 8/10

Positive points:
+ Great racing, with AI that makes mistakes
+ Tracks are like their real selves
+ Good graphics
Negative points:
- Not many modes
- Sounds could have been better

F1 2002 is a good little game, and essential for those looking for a good, portable F1 game. I am sure that you will be surprised, like me, at the quality of it when you play it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/13/06