Beetle Adventure Racing

The gameplay in Beetle Adventure Racing is just right for both beginning and advanced players. The main object is very simple, like most other racing games on the market: complete each track and finish ahead of the seven computer-controlled opponents. However, the designers have added some additional twists. Similar to Rush, every track is loaded with shortcuts, some of them very visible, while others are cleverly hidden behind bushes, windows or walls that you must break through. In order to finish first in the more advanced levels, taking these shortcuts and finding the carefully placed nitro boxes that give speed boosts is key. There are a total of four difficulty levels and six racing tracks, which is due to the fact that so much went into each track. The tracks are some of the most detailed ever to step into the racing scene, and because of all the shortcuts, players find new areas in the stages every time they run through them. Also, unlike many other games, the stages are completely interactive: you can crash into a phone booth that talks, and you can jump into helicopters that fly overhead. It’s absolutely amazing. In each track there are a total of 100 bonus points located throughout the level; if you smash a certain amount of point boxes in each level you’re awarded a continue, and if you smash all of them in any given level you unlock a new battle board. There are also special flower boxes or groovy boxes hidden in each level, which unlock cheats that can be used in both the battle and racing aspects of the game, similar to the keys in Rush. The handling and control of the cars is excellent. Some of the turns and curves seem impossible, but BAR has incorporated powerslides and handbrake turns so that these can be achieved with ease. The game also allows for high and far jumps that sometimes defy the laws of gravity; however, the game’s four-point suspension system and the heavy feel of the cars give it much more authenticity and a more life-like feel. At the start-up screen, you can select either Championship (one player only) or Single mode (up to two players). Championship is similar to any other racing game, where the object is to finish first among a pack of computer-controlled players, and as you progress through the difficulty levels you unlock new tracks as well as new beetles, though unfortunately there are only six total tracks in the game. Single mode is divided into three different modes: Full Grid, Duel and Time Attack. There is also a battle mode in which four players can battle it out in a selected arena using various objects, similar to the battle mode in Mario Kart. Unfortunately, in order to save your progress you must use a Controller Pak, but it’s a small price to pay for a game of this caliber.

BAR is based on Paradigm’s second-generation graphics engine. The track detail and the texture of each map are some of the best ever, and the frame rate is also excellent, as the game never goes choppy. The interaction with the scenery is simply awesome: the cars leave tracks in the snow and skid marks on the pavement, dinosaurs jump out of the woods, and helicopters fly overhead. However, the most unbelievable sight is the reflection produced on the cars when they drive by things; for example, if you drive by a sign, it will actually reflect in your car’s paint.

Along with the great gameplay and excellent graphics, BAR also has great sound. Every sound is lifelike, such as the revving of the engine and the sound of running over different terrain; skidding on a street will sound different from skidding on sand or on snow. Also, each car has the ability to honk, and if you unlock the police beetle you’ll be able to use the sirens, and other beetles will actually pull over. The music isn’t the most creative, but it doesn’t get on your nerves like the music from many other racing games does.