Enjoy classic arcade style racing similar to Rush on the N64? You'll enjoy this game as well.
Remember those racers where you could chose from 10 cars and race on 6 tracks...and yet you still had fun? Asphalt Urban GT for the DS is an evolution of this style of game play, which if introduced on a current console would seem archaic.
The game features licensed cars, varied tracks and different play modes, ranging from quick races to a career style series of racers where money and car upgrading is the goal.
Lets start off with the presentation:
It's a sharp racer, and features one of the best portable graphics to date (PSP isn't here yet). On some points, it looks better then an N64 games, because it lacks fog, popup is minimal, and its not all blurry. On the other side, some items are hard to see, and some pixels are clearly visible.
As an N-Gage port, there are few uses of the DS hardware, besides its power. Although the menu can be navigated by touch, the icons are much too small, and you're better served with the D-Pad.
The bottom screen has a nice looking map, which shows tunnels and buildings, but lacks a clear finish line indication. Unlike Ridge Racers, there's no touch input method for races.
Unfortunately, I havent been able to try out multiplayer, however, the game sadly only supports multiple cartridges.
Sound wise, the game also goes back to classic racers, with a limited selection of looping techno tracks.
However, there are some touches that bring this racer to modern times. When going off jumps, or spinning out of control, the camera changes to the front of the car, similar to the effect used in the NFS games. And like Burnout, you have Nitrous at your disposal during the races, and its increased by hitting objects. near missing a car, or going on the wrong side of the road as a car heads towards you.
Speaking of traffic, each track has some in a limited, predetermined section of the track. Even though the cars are moving, they never leave their designated area, but on the next lap, you'll see a new set of vehicles.
One of the biggest complaints I've heard has been the collision detection, however, its not as bad as it seems.
If you hit a car straight on, you'll spin a bit and return on path. However, if you hit a car from behind, be it with the Hummer H2 or the Beatle, you'll slow down drastically. Worse still is when a truck decides to park right across the track. Hit it, and you'll have some "fun" getting back on course. Luckily, the AI drivers face the same issues, so its balanced.
There are some objects on the track you can hit for turbo points (tables, cones) and they don't slow you down. The trees in the Miami course can be raced through...which is actually a good thing IMO....
The game offers varied modes, from the perfect portable quick race, which puts you in a random track and a random car, a mode where you chose what car and track you want, cop chase, and the meat of the game where you must buy and sell cars, upgrade them, and race for money.
I've also read about how hard this game is....but for me, this wasn't a problem at all. Strange eh?
Over all, this is a fine buy, and a worthy racer for your new DS. Don't hesitate if you're looking for a solid racing title for your system.
-Multicart multiplayer
-No DS specific uses of note
- Nice graphics
- Varied modes
- Small font
- 1 save spot
Create an Account
Member Login
