DESCRIPTION

In a turbo-charged mean machine called the Rad Racer II, you're given the challenge of tearing through these eight tracks with a dizzying array of twists, curves and hairpin turns through locations such as the mountainous regions of California, to the exotic neon-filled streets of Las Vegas Boulevard, all from a behind-the-car perspective. The Big Apple with its nighttime track, overcast Gettysburg, sunny Key West, desolate Monument Valley, appropriately named Rocky Mountains and San Francisco Bay Bridge also await.

At speeds of up to 255 miles per hour, it's quite easy to skid off the road into your stereotypical rural pie stand or local convenience store, so an included Preview Direction Indicator warns you of upcoming turns and helps compensate for your breakneck speeds. In addition, you'll have to weave your way through plenty of other cars, such as Volkswagen Beetles or Mustangs, most driven by perturbed drivers attempting to slam into you and otherwise make your day unpleasant.

Hopefully the included, selectable tunes "Gumball Crash," "Coast to Coast" and "Sing Yourself" will keep you in a chipper mood, the last being silent and allowing you to hum the tune from Super Mario Bros., belt out a couple songs off the latest chart-topping album, or just sit there quietly.

Next to where your CD player would be is the control panel, displaying your Lap Time Counter which shows your time from checkpoint to checkpoint, Tachometer showing your RPMs, the aforementioned Preview Direction Indicator, Speedometer, Trip Gauge listing your current progress on the course and most importantly, your Turbo Boost Gauge. Charging up your Turbo Boost Gauge allows you to speed off at 250 MPH from a dead stop, most likely spilling your orange juice while the g-force pastes you against your seat.

So if you feel your radness is sufficient to take on this challenge, or you would just like to increase it, tighten up those gloves, get a firm grip on your OJ and slide yourself into the Rad Racer II. ~ Geoffrey Douglas Smith, All Game Guide