Top Gear Rally

by Nintendo

Product Features

• great game for everyone

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002STHZ
• Item Weight: 5 ounces
• Media: Game Cartridge
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,320 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

While realistic driving games might just bring to mind the image of grown men buying blow-up dolls, Boss Game Studios' first entry for the Nintendo 64, Top Gear Rally, is a title of some inarguable merit.

TGR comprises four different racing modes: time attack, practice, arcade, and championship. In time attack, you go up against a ghost car that represents your best time (much like in Super Mario Kart). In practice and arcade modes, one or two players race in a variety of weather conditions on any track and in any car opened up in championship mode - the former with unlimited time while the latter requires drivers to reach checkpoints.

The main starring attraction of the game is the championship mode, in which you, a lone driver, take on six seasons of two to four races each from your choice of three camera angles (first person, first person with rearview mirror, and third person). The courses include jungle, desert, mountain, and coastline environments, mirrored or standard directions within sunny, foggy, rainy, and snowy conditions. You begin in 20th place with only one other car in sight and must spend much of the entire three-round race playing catch-up. That's not a particularly easy thing to do initially because the game has a steep learning curve.

The physics engine of Top Gear Rally is often painfully realistic, making cars that have spun around spend an agonizingly long time turning face forward. And while the courses thankfully have varied terrain (does anyone really like flat ovular racetracks?), outcroppings, inclines, and dips will often send vehicles careening out of control if drivers don't navigate just right. True, the N64 controller allows for excellent precision, but conversely, it introduces a wider berth for screwups. Everything gets easier later on, once you have familiarized yourself with the courses, have found the best handling configuration (several settings of suspension, tire, and transmission), and faster cars with different engine placements (back, mid, and front) become available.

On the positive side, the graphics in Top Gear Rally are flirting with incredible, as the backgrounds and foregrounds seamlessly blend in an effect that's nearly photorealistic. Unobtrusive objects such as planes, hawks, and balloons can occasionally be seen moving into the frame; the rain and snow effects are spectacular; and the high frame rate experienced while driving the game's faster cars creates an impressive illusion of speed. Other features such as the paint shop mode (in which you can custom-design the colors and decals for your vehicles), shortcuts (yes, it's a realistic racer where you can cheat to win), hidden cars (a milk truck, beach ball, and helmet car to name a few), and bonus track (a strip mine) are also quite good.

But on the negative side, the learning curve is perhaps a little too steep, and the physics model a tad too realistic. Those who rent TGR as well as less-stubborn players will likely give up several hours before the game ceases to be frustrating and starts being truly fun. Unfortunately, by that point, they're also likely to become tired of the game's four basic tracks and even the bonus course will do little to assuage. Overall, probably the most disappointing feature is the two-player arcade mode, which leaves too small a window to adequately see the surroundings, and since all computer-controlled cars are missing, it's fairly dull.

In the final analysis, Top Gear Rally ends up being a game that demands respect for its graphics, physics, and track design, although it receives it grudgingly through tightly clenched teeth. Let's hope that Boss Game Studios' next title, Twisted Edge Snowboarding, focuses more on fun than reality. --Joe Fielder
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Product Description

Shift it into high gear in one of the most realistic games of any kind to hit the N64. Already something of a legend, TOP GEAR RALLY allows you to choose from one of four high-octane modes: Time Attack, Practice, Arcade, and Championship. Time Attack pits you against your own best time, while Practice and Arcade modes allow you to take your choice from nine different vehicles and race in a number of weather conditions. Championship mode the game's crown jewel has you racing through six seasons (of two to four races apiece), and gives you control of everything, right down to your camera angle. You'll start in 20th place in each of these races, playing catch-up as you try to prove your mettle. You can customize your transmission, tires, steering, and even your paint job! The physics of TOP GEAR RALLY are so studied, they often become painful; a crash is really going to feel like a crash. With nine different cars to choose from, five intense tracks, and ultra-detailed 3D action, it's no wonder this game spawned so many sequels and knockoffs.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate in Fun, November 23, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Top Gear Rally (Game Cartridge)

When I first turned on this game, I was dissapointed - I thought it sucked. But then one of my friends came over, and we played it until we opened up all the cars and tracks. After we got done, we started messing around. We drove backwards, set up mid-air collisions, etc... Needless to say, it became absolutely hilarious watching the 4 minute long instant replays after we went through the courses. Top Gear provides SO much fun and laughter. Not only is it fun, but the graphics are great. When Snowblind made Overdrive (instead of Boss), I was very dissapointed. No longer are you able to fly off the track - you instantly blow-up. How lame! I still play Top Gear and consider it a classic.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Satisfying "Driving Feel" on N64 - BAR NONE, July 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Top Gear Rally (Game Cartridge)

Other racing games "look" okay, but TOP GEAR RALLY has realistic physics that will take your breath away. Your car has mass. Your car develops momentum. Your car has a center-of-gravity.

Just before speeding over a drop, try tapping your brake. The weight of the car shifts forward ever-so-slightly, and you come down more on your front wheels.

The replays of your last lap will take your breath away. Watching the entire last lap leading to your stunning victory. Seeing your car take turns at top speed from intelligent cinematic angles. Your car bounces up and down slightly with bumps in the road - frequently getting air - as gracefully as watching birds fly through the air. Your car banks as it turns. The individual shocks for each wheel operate independently. There is a reflection on the window glass that correctly is seen based on the position of the sun in the sky. The car "slides" on gravel going around corners; it is predictable, and "feels right". You get used to it, and rely on that to take corners faster and faster and that is one of the keys to winning.

The scenery is gorgeous. The controls are simple and easy to learn. I even like the music tracks, but you can turn it down and play your own CD if you like, of course.

The initial first cars are kind of slow, but don't give up! Stick with this game and soon you'll be rewarded with some VERY fast cars that you will be very excited about putting into TOP GEAR!!!

Cons: By todays standards, graphics seem a little "low-res", especially if spoiled by Game Cube, etc.

Beware! TOP GEAR RALLY is the best and original... the sequels TG2, TG Overdrive and TG2000 never lived up to the original.

Enjoy!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smell My Exhaust!, November 15, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Top Gear Rally (Game Cartridge)

This is the best racing game I've ever played. It is a little bit hard at first because of the handling, but you'll get used to it. You get through this game by winning the seasons. After you win a season, you win two new cars. If you're thinking about getting a racing game for your N64, please consider getting Top Gear Rally.