Score
Gameplay:	8
Graphics:	8
Sound:	6
FunFactor:	8
PlasmaFactor:	7
Overall:	7.4

Mad Tracks Review
June 20, 2007 by Cameron Noel

Mad Tracks isn’t your normal racing game; it’s not your typical adventure/challenge game either. This game is Twisted Metal and Mario Kart meets Monkey Ball. Sounds like a lot of themes rolled into one, but Load Inc. pulls if off nicely.

Spring loaded and Ready to Go

 

Mad Tracks features two modes that you can play. The multi-player mode is INSANE because you can add up to 8 players (via XBOX LIVE) including the CPU. Don’t feel like going head-to-head against other people? The single-player mode let’s you choose between adventure and arcade categories. Either way you choose to play, you must maneuver as a toy vehicle through various courses against other vehicles. Use your vehicle as a pool cue and sink your pool balls in the pocket before your opponent. Or, race to scoop up the most tasty treats while avoiding falling toy figurines. Or simply be the first to cross the finish line. This game isn’t short of creative surprises in the courses; and with names such as 8-Ball, Room for Dessert, Par 5 and My Balloons, you’ll be anxious to see what lies ahead. Also, the difficulty level increases as you go along, and the ability to change vehicles to suit the challenge itself is like money in the bank!

The cars are powered by a spring, which is visible at the bottom of the screen and represented by a meter. Remember those little spring-loaded cars you loved as a tyke? The kind that you pulled back until you couldn’t pull anymore, then let go? That’s the idea here. The spring is either recharged in short intervals by releasing the trigger and coasting, or you can grab a power-up box for an instant kick. About that power-up box. Why couldn’t Load, Inc. use something a little more imaginative than a yellow, question-marked box? Why not a curled bicep? Or a power pill? Oops, that’s Pac-Man, nevermind. As you race along, you can also pick up ammo and other destructibles like missiles, oil slicks and logs to take out the competition.

Saturday Morning All Over Again

I really like the 3D environments and backgrounds in Mad Tracks. To start, the elements are nicely done, and the colors are bright and reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons. Several of the environments are on a game table (tables often set up in a rec room), but you can catch glimpses of the larger background, which is the inside of a home. For instance, in the Foosball Challenge, you are inside of a Foosball table (obviously), but you can see elements of a kitchen, such as stools and countertops.

My Ears!

This game is so fun that you won’t notice how dorky the music is….really. In the intro screen, the track sounds like it was mixed by a 6 year old. During game play, it goes from bad to just….bad. The puny roar of the engines are annoying, however the sound effects of your missiles and other projectiles are more on point.

Fun for all Ages!

Controlling your vehicle isn’t too bad. It moves like a basic racing game. I mean BASIC, not Project Gotham or anything, but Diddy Kong Racing and the like. With minimal skill, you can easily weave around bends and corners without frustration, but be patient with hairpin turns. When it comes to vehicles, you can choose between 3 different classes: light, heavy and sport. What’s the difference, you ask? The make of vehicle you play as. That’s what makes this game kick!

 

 

Drumroll, please!

 

Overall, this is a good game worth playing ‘til the bitter end. Rip and roar your way through 15 unlockable challenges and/or download additional challenges to keep the fun going. Definitely worth adding to your summer gaming arsenal.