Test Drive 6
Score: 60% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Infogrames Developer: Xantera Media: Cartridge/1 Players: 1 Genre: Racing
Graphics & Sound: This RC ProAm-type game didn’t look too bad. A nice top-down view with plenty of colors mixed with side scrolling seemed to fit. The different colors in the cars helped to distinguish the difference in the cars because, obviously, there can’t be too much detail on the Game Boy. The tracks were drawn out okay. I had no trouble in locating what was track and what was not, as well as noticing the different items available for pick up on the track. The sound did get a bit annoying, but it wasn’t too bad. I would have to say that the graphics for Test Drive 6 are all right.
Gameplay: Well, Test Drive 6 is a racing game. You have 12 cars to choose from, 24 tracks to race on, and different modes to play on. Of course, you don’t start out with all those options - you have to work up to them. If you win races, you win money. Use your money to buy better cars. Use your better cars to beat newer tracks. There are three modes of play in TD6. Single race is fun for instant action. The Tournament mode is where all the fun with buying and selling cars starts. And a different mode was added - Cop Chase Mode. In this mode, you play the cop. You still have to win the race, and you get money for citations that you issue. Just how all that works is still a mystery to me. I just turned on the lights and ran into the other cars. I do have one complaint with the gameplay. The game is just too slow. It runs choppy and sluggish. The controls are not very responsive at all. After a while, you get used to it, but in the beginning, it is very slow going.
Difficulty: I found Test Drive 6 to be very easy. At first, the lack of speed and apparent sluggish controls made things a bit difficult, but after the initial race, things got really easy. Not to say that the game is not fun - it is. I just found that the game was too easy. Learning to play the game was no problem at all. One button makes you go, the D-pad makes you turn. Easy enough for anyone. Once you get the hang of the game (takes about 30 seconds), it’s cake from then on.
Game Mechanics: Hey, the battery backup feature is nice. You get to save your progress. Unfortunately, the rest of the game mechanics sucked. Slow play, sluggish controls, and less than smooth side scrolling really hurt this game. It’s easy enough to play - one D-pad and two buttons, but the game just leaves a lot to be desired. I hate to beat a dead horse, but the game is just too slow. I thought Test Drive 6 was fun, but with improved mechanics, it could have been much better (and more difficult). It’s not a bad game; I even recommend it, but it could have been done better.
-Storm, GameVortex Communications AKA Jeremy Kelso
Metal Slug: First Mission Wacky Races