Furious fun (Micro Machines V3 (GB))

Member Name: Stalin

Product:	Micro Machines V3 (GB)
Date:	29/06/01 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Challenging, Instant fun, Multiplayer is a hoot

Disadvantages: No battery backup, Slowdown in places

Micro Machines is a long running series of top down racers that has appeared on every platform imaginable, however it is particularly good on the gameboy due to its simplicity and 'pick up and play' style.

For those who don't know, you race over various everyday surfaces such as kitchen tables, science desks and ponds over land, sea and air in various vehicles. This version includes loads of new levels and vehicles, but at heart it is a similar game to its predecessors. But this is no bad thing.

The main game mode is challenge, where you race on progressively harder circuits against progressively harder opponents. This is good fun, and offers some replayability. The computer opponents are pretty good, although rather predictable. Also on offer is the usual time trial mode, and head to head, which is the classic style of play, in which you score points for driving far enough off the screen so that your opponents disappear from view. This can also be played in multiplayer which is particularly fun, and can even be played on a single gameboy (although things get a little cramped).

Vehicles all have very distinctive handling, and require completely different driving techniques. It takes a lot of skill to master them all.

Graphics wise, things are simple but fast, the way it should be, although at times there is a little slow down.

The big problem for me is the lack of battery backup. This means that time trial times are not saved, defeating the purpose in my opinion. There is a password system for the challenge mode, however. If you don’t mind about this, bump the score up to 5 stars.

This is a very fun game that requires more skill than you may think. Buy it if you like racers.

Summary: