Pimp Ze Auto!

Reviewed by StormGryffen on October 05, 2007  |  report this review

Let it first be said: I don't like racing games. I haven't traditionally liked them at all for their one player element, and only occasionally played them back in the days of arcades when a few quarters was worth trying to publicly decimate whoever you happened to bring with you.

I got hooked hardcore on Midnight Club 3 DUB edition for the PSP. Though the gameplay in THAT version is still fast and furious (with slow load times), it cannot reach the pinnacle of adrenaline that is Midnight Club 3 DUB edition remix for the PS2.

Firstly, it doesn't matter what you like, how you race, or even if racing is your thing. This game is packed from head to toe with those precious 'booyah!' moments. You can like fast cars, you can like luxury cars, you can like choppers or tuners or muscle cars. Not only are their tons of awesome classic and new hotness, but you can pimp it out all over and watch the paint spark off when you slam on through traffic a little too close.

Each class of car has a special ability (I call it the 'panic button' ability) you can unlock through joining and outracing class-specific 'car clubs'. Luxury vehicles, trucks, and SUV's build their power meter, once it's unlocked, by mowing down lightpoles, streetlamps, fences, trees, and assorted other debris foolish enough to stand in your way. Fast, classy cars develop their meter by 'driving clean' and avoiding obstacles. Their ability, 'zone' allows for 'matrix-style' slow motion, for handling those tight spots. Choppers and muscle cars develop their ability 'roar' by power sliding around corners. Your powerful engine thunders so loud, traffic screeches out of your way.

Those tools aren't enough to face the potent A.I. in this game. You've got to learn how to navigate the road like a pimpninja and use other driver's slipstreams to save on your nitro. You've got to upgrade your wheels to keep winning, and pick just the right pimped out ride for your next career race, or tournament. Feel like keeping it casual? Just run an optional race for some spare dough.

There isn't enough one can say about the customization options, and the sheer addictability for unlocking new parts as you race, so I won't bother. If you own the DUB Edition Remix, you've got almost more customization than you can handle.

If all the action isn't enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, the soundtrack to this game will keep your pedal to the metal. Every beat is handcrafted to make you speed like you mean it, and you can rifle through for your favorites on the fly.

All in all, an easy game to get into, and easier to be addicted to. Even if you're not a pimp.

Your first car...

Should definetly be the Dodge SRT4 (replacement for the Neon)