Monaco Grand Prix

by UBI Soft

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00000JX33
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: July 15, 1999
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,468 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

As the person who put the Nintendo 64 version of Monaco Grand Prix through its paces, this reviewer wasn't expecting too much from the PlayStation port. All too often, games get "watered down" as they get translated from one system to another. Fortunately, that wasn't the case with Monaco Grand Prix. Whatever limitations the 32-bit system may have imposed on the developer, Ubi Soft has overcome them without sacrificing this game's strongest points: realism and graphics.

In terms of realism, Monaco Grand Prix provides 16 true-to-life tracks, each of which is rendered convincingly well. In addition to single race and time trial (the latter offers a "ghost" mode so you can race against your best lap), the game has arcade and full-season simulation. The arcade mode is reminiscent of Pole Position, in which racers must get to first place before time or laps run out. Since winning races unlocks additional tracks, it offers incentive to keep playing.

The game's main focus, however, is its championship simulation. This game succeeds thanks to a highly realistic physics system that effectively responds to car modifications (there are nine total, covering tires, gear boxes, and wing angles, just to name a few). Take for example a car that has too much understeer as it makes a turn. When you go back to the garage and make minute adjustments, you can see and feel the improvements when controlling the car in that same turn later on.

If that weren't enough, the physics engine makes car collisions more realistic and a bit more exciting as a result. In other games collisions are usually handled in a generic manner. In this game (aside from its arcade mode), collisions can vary depending on speed and impact. In some cases, a car will catch air and get up on two wheels. In other cases, a car will spin out. And unlike in some racing titles, skidding and spinning out isn't automatic once it begins. Imagine this reviewer's satisfaction at being caught in a skid, then correcting it halfway through and keeping control of the car without spinning out. This variety adds depth to the game's realism while forcing you to treat your car a lot nicer. Adding to that realism is an option to race between ten to 100 percent of an actual race's laps, depending on how much free time you have on your hands. Details like the ones mentioned above help boost this racing game's credentials.

The graphics also do not disappoint, mainly because of a smooth frame rate and decently rendered tracks. Although the PlayStation's limitations invariably force cases of background pop-up, they're hidden rather well by the game's designers. More importantly, at no point does the game slow down or get choppy, regardless of how many cars are onscreen. The decent graphics are augmented by nice details, including extras such as real-life ads, grass or sand coming off tires, and track marks showing the best line. Another plus in the graphics department is the game's many racing views that can be changed on the fly, including an in-cockpit view with a built-in dashboard.

As in the Nintendo 64 version, the computer AI tends to drive defensively. In the simulation mode, this works well. If you try silly moves on other drivers, chances are good that you'll spin out and wreck instead. However, in arcade races that AI profile works less effectively. You can just muscle your way through the field by outbreaking opponents or sometimes just by pushing other cars onto the grass. Although fun in a "road rage" sort of way, it dampens the skill level a bit.

If this game has one major flaw, it's that its interface lacks polish. While other titles in this genre have full commentary and in-game graphics comparable to television broadcasts, this game suffers with a clunky interface that looks imported from a first-generation racing title. The music isn't much to get fired up about either, although the game has a nice multiple-motor sound effect that's great to hear when a competitor's catching up. Finally, although there's a button that toggles a rear view, it doesn't work as well as having a smaller built-in rear-view inset - a feature other PlayStation titles have been able to incorporate.

Still, these shortcomings are a small price to pay for an otherwise solid title that is as good as - if not better than - anything else on the market in terms of pure racing simulation. Don't buy an F-1 title before first taking this game out for a spin. --Nelson Taruc
--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.

Manufacturer Description

Innovative 4-point physics engine calculates and monitors all 4 tires independently creating the most precise simulation of Grand Prix style racing you will ever experience. 16 international courses. All tracks to scale with realistic dimensions scenery and environments. Cars modeled to Grand Prix specifications. Dial in track specific parameters for your suspension wing angles steering alignment brake balance & body height. Up to 22 racers competing on each track-Amateur Expert and Pro Modes-indestructible cars or real-life damage dents & shrapnel-With or without penalties-Weather effects & multiple road conditions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best of the best, November 30, 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 

If your into open wheel racing this is the ultimate. The cars have more adjustments than any game I've played and the computer cars react in a realistic manner. If you want to play a Indy car or Formula 1 game, this should be the one.