When I first played this game, I actually hated it. However, it came with my N64, so I had to learn to…not hate it. I learned pretty quick, as, unlike at the local Zellers, I actually got the opportunity to play the game from the beginning.

Graphically, with or without the Expansion Pak, the game looks amazing. However, as soon as you start the Expansion Pak up, you ain't goin' back. Trust me. The explosions are very cool, there are not many noticeable flaws, and it runs very smoothely, even at 1000 miles an hour…

Yes, speed is the reason to play this game, and you do go INSANELY fast, especially with my favourite racer, Mars Guo. Yeah, I actually prefer that one to Sebulba, even though Sebulba's got his flame-thrower thing…I prefer insane acceleration and handling to insane top-speed…that I can never reach. Anyway, handling is pretty good, although some races in the last two tiers get really tricky. All you really have to do is master a technique called the Power-Slide (which I, being the putz I am, didn't…and still haven't). After that, it's ALL good.

Race design is very cool, with some interesting challenges here and there, but as soon as you have them memorised (and they are VERY easy to memorise), there's nothing to worry about. It's that simple. Also, some of the races are just pretty to look at, like the cliff-side races…actually there's a lot of those…anyway, just don't get caught up in the scenery, or you're fucked.

In many racing games for consoles today, there is an element that has been in wide-spread implementation since Top Gear 2 that really popularised the racing genre: Customisation. Pump up your transmission, engine, breaks, cooling, whatever you need to so long as you got the cash after each race, so that you can get better and win more. Well, that's Racer, not Top Gear 2…Top Gear 2 up to 3000 was a bit simpler…no coolant required. What is the coolant for, you ask? Well, when you go into turbo boost mode (kinda like a TG2's N₂O (aka Nitro), but your speed boost percentage is way higher), your engines start to heat up. The better the cooling unit you have, the slower the heat-up. However, the better the engine, the faster the heat-up. So it's kinda of a balancing act with the engine and the cooling unit for boost length. When your engine overheats, it ignites, and you have to cut down your speed to repair your engine. Not fun stuff. There are also traction units (tires, pretty much…except that you're flying…so…yeah), and you'll need repair droids, too. Buy those up early in the game (you can have a max of 3, I think) and then you can focus on parts with little worry of having to constantly replace them.

Depending on your racer pilot will depend on the parts you choose to buy at first, and there are many racer pilots. Some have higher acceleration, others higher top speed, others better traction, etc. You get the idea. Each racer has their perks. Sebulba has a flame-thrower attached to his right engine…but it's useless against the CPU. I have yet to play my step-brother, though…

With very nice graphics, excellent frame-rate, super-fast racing, awesome race design, pod racer customisation, and different racers with different pro's and con's, this is certainly an excellent race title. No Gran Turismo, but then again, it doesn't try to be. An excellent racing game effort. But I gotta ask, will you ever make Gran Tourismo: Pod Racer Edition? 230 mph is too slow…