From Sega, creators of that other job-based driving game Crazy Taxi, comes 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker. While hauling logs, fuel and heavy machinery over vast distances might not be the most tantalising of prospects for a video game, Sega have thankfully condensed the mundane experience into bite-sized chunks of arcade action. 18 Wheeler's main mode is "Arcade", where players can test their skills against a direct port of the coin-op original. Here your mission is to deliver four increasingly valuable trailers in a whistle-stop tour of the US, avoiding the perils of traffic, natural disasters and of course the ever-decreasing time limit. While the arcade machine's juggernaut-sized steering wheel is missing, everything else is present and correct, including the ridiculous taunts from your evil nemesis "Lizard Tail". This motor-mouthed fiend makes your life difficult by attempting to run you off the road and littering your path with his jettisoned cargo. Beat him to the end of the stage, though, and you'll be rewarded with a sub-game that sees you attempting to park your truck as quickly and accurately as possible to win improved parts. Other features in the main game include special bonus cars that can be run over for extra time, and shortcuts to help you skip ahead of the opposition.
When you tire of the "Arcade" mode" there are a couple of other mini-games to play. The best of the bunch by far is the "Versus" mode where two truckers can compete in a split-screen race to finish the chosen circuit with as much cash as possible. Unfortunately, this is the only mode with any real replay value. "Score Attack" is a rather dull single-player take on the versus mode and "Parking Challenge" is a more sophisticated version of the "Arcade" mode's between-levels sub-game. Ultimately, the meagre four circuits on offer mean that even with a good buddy to play against 18 Wheeler won't last the long haul. --Tim Cant
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