Review: Big Trucks in a Little Package
Monster Truck Madness is a GBA title that tries to take the excitement of Monster Truck Racing and cram it into the small package that is the Gameboy Advance. For all intents and purposes it is a successful transition, although it is lacking in a few areas. However, Monster Truck Madness is an enjoyable racer that will satisfy fans of the genre.
Monster Truck Madness doesn’t really bring anything new to the racing formula, offering gameplay that can be found in countless other racing titles. Despite its lack of originality, Monster Truck Madness is undeniably fun, offering players the opportunity to choose a monster truck and race against other trucks. The graphics are especially sharp and attractive, with multiple viewpoints that are easy on the eyes. The illusion of movement is convincing, but perhaps the programmers could have made the movement faster, since there is never really a feeling of speed, even when your truck is supposed to be moving upwards of 100 mph. At most, players may feel as if they are traveling at a drowsy 45 mph.
Players will race on a number of tracks in three different circuits, the Rookie, the Intermediate, and the Professional. In the game’s beginning, the player only has access to a few tracks and vehicles, but good performance unlocks new tracks and trucks. The game also offers a Time Attack mode, where you are allowed to try and set records for tracks, and an Instant Action mode, for gamers who just want a quick race against the computer. There is no multiplayer option, which is a shame, since that would add a lot of needed replay value.
While racing, powerups litter the track, offering temporary boosts to whomever rolls over them, a la Mario Kart. Some examples include a glue pickup, which will make a player’s truck stick to the track; super tires, which enhance traction; nitro, which gives an instant speed boost; and the bomb, which will momentarily stop all other vehicles, giving your vehicles a few seconds advantage. Players are also rewarded for hitting destructible objects on the track through the destruction meter, which fills as players annihilate obstacles, and offers a Hulk-like invulnerability and speed burst when filled.
Unfortunately, Monster Truck Madness' sound is functional at best, offering forgettable intro music and no in-game background music. Sound effects are well-done, punctuated by the occasional exclamation (“One more lap to go!), and the player has the ability to initiate a satisfying “Yee-haw” or a musical horn by pressing the shoulder buttons. However, for the majority of gameplay, all players will hear is the sound of their engine.
