Test Drive 4 for PS1

Other products by Sony

Product Features

• 5 Modern Super Cars: Jaguar XJ 220, Dodge Viper GTS, Chevrolet Corvette, TVR Cerbera and the Nissan
• 5 Powerful Muscle Cars: Shelby Cobra 427, 69 Chevrolet Corvette 427, 71 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, 70 Chevr
• 5 Exotic Tracks: San Francisco, Keswick England, Bern Switzerland, Kyoto City Japan and Washington D
• Realistic Driving Physics: Accurate recreation of each vehicle's unique performance characteristics.
• Extensive Variety of Racing Modes: Single Race, Ghost Car Mode, World Circuit, Masters Cup and Multi

Product Details

• ASIN: B000038I9V
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,967 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

When I was thirteen, my favorite game was Test Drive II for the Amiga. I don't know what made it so much fun, the variety of extensive cars to drive or the exotic locales that I got to race through at fast speeds. At the time, the concept was new, and Test Drive set the standard for other driving games to follow. I spent many weeks playing that game, and needless to say, the Test Drive series has always had a special place in my heart. Therefore, I was quite excited to pop Test Drive 4 in my PlayStation and revisit the series that I hadn't seen in so long. Sadly though, it's not as much fun as I remember it being. I've played many driving games in the past eight years, and I have liked most of them. Test Drive 4 made me realize something though, and it finally hit me: I don't have the same sense of awe when playing driving games now. Why? Because I have a driver's license and my driving experiences take place outside of the home.

Everything I remember about the old Test Drive game is here. Test Drive 4 features five super cars, (the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper GTS, Nissan 300ZX, Jaguar XJ 220, and TVR Cerbera), five muscle cars (the Shelby Cobra 427, '71 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, '69 Chevrolet Corvette 427, '69 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and '70 Cheverolet Corvette SS 454), and five tracks (San Francisco; Bern, Switzerland; Keswick, England; Washington D.C.; and Kyoto City, Japan). The game also has multiple gameplay modes, which include circuit racing, multiplayer tournaments, two-player racing (including a link mode), and a drag strip race, and all of the nuances of the Test Drive series are here, from oncoming traffic to highway patrol.

The graphics in Test Drive 4 look good and easily compete with the other driving games out there; the 3D animation is smooth and there is a minimum amount of pop-up. The game's seven perspectives are enough to hold you over during the gameplay, and the game also offers a replay of your past race. Hands down, this game looks good enough; it just seems to lack in other areas.

Test Drive 4 feels like driving your car while on medication - you know how to control the vehicle, but for some inexplicable reason you can't. It's not that the play control sucks, rather you will have trouble controlling your vehicle at high speeds, and, every once in a while, you will spin out and stop completely. This is the most annoying thing that happens during the game, and every time it does happen the action comes to a standstill. Each course is also full of twists and turns, meaning that you rarely get to reach your vehicle's maximum speed.

The cars in Test Drive 4 offer a good amount of variety for driving fans. Each car controls differently, but the diversity is pretty superficial. It's good that Accolade gives players a choice, but I for one don't get too excited about driving a Jaguar, let alone a Dodge Viper. I mean, come on, it's a video game - getting excited about driving a particular car in a game is about as sad as remarking that Chun-Li is hot. The five courses presented are fun though and provide a good variety of racing terrain. However, these tracks are rather short compared with some of the other racing games out there and don't contain the depth that other games do (for the best comparison, compare any track in San Francisco Rush with the San Francisco track in this game). The music is also lackluster, failing to build any sort of excitement and perhaps proving once and for all that European-sounding techno is played out.

With so much competition out there, it's hard for this game to rise above the rest. Most games of this type are virtually the same, and it's amazing to see the genre so crowded with look-alike titles (but then again, how much variance can driving games have?). Surprisingly, the game's most unique feature is its drag race mode, which allows you to step on the gas in a mad dash to the finish line against another gamer. That aside though, this game fails where other Test Drive games have succeeded - instead of leading, it feels like it is merely one of the pack. --Glenn Rubenstein
--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

Test Drive 4 is more than a spin around the block. It's a race in some of the hottest production cars from around the world. Choose from today's high technology wonders or from yesterday's powerful American muscle cars. It's Beauty versus the Beast. Test Drive 4 takes you to international locations to race down country roads and through city streets. You'll see the picturesque town of Keswick in Englan's beautiful Lake District. You'll wind through the streets of San Francisco including the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf. Blast down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Back in Europe, head for the Swiss-Italian Alps and catch a glimpse of Bern and wind your way through the majestic mountains. Wrap up your world tour in Kyoto, Japan with its startling mix of old and new.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This game is very bad, January 12, 2002

By A Customer

Test Drive 4 is a stupid game. Every time I start it my car goes really slow at thhhhe very beginning while everyone else passes by.Every car in the game does this,unless you start slow instead of slamming down on the go button. And you still lose. I'm glad I gave my friend Pok'emon cards for it instead of buying it.

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Burnin' rubber!, December 8, 2001

A Kid's Review

This sweet game really "drives you up the wall" with all of the cars and levels on it! It's for all ages, but only for people who love cars, and really hot ones at that!!!! This game is a must have for all people who like to Test Drive cars, screeching the tires, and burnin' rubber, all at the same time!!!