Get a car that is virtually the same as a standard road-going vehicle, and then drive it as fast as you can along a dirt track with hairpin bends, fjords, and terrain that the car wouldn't normally take too kindly to--sounds like fun, you might say, and Colin McRae Rally 2.0 tries to recreate that sense of fun. Coming into a field that is already jam-packed with great titles such as V-Rally 2 and the original Colin McRae, it has somehow managed to produce the goods not only in the form of a game that does what it does well, but also by introducing new ideas to an otherwise rather staid format. Every little detail has been taken care of, whether it's the Wip3out-style presentation of the option screens, or the dents on your car as you hurtle around the courses. 12 different cars and over 80 new rally tracks in eight countries will keep you busy, and if even this doesn't satisfy, then perhaps the inclusion of a large multiplayer section within the game, where you have the option to race six people in a tag team scenario, will. Improved graphics and better, more realistic gameplay have put this game among the greats when it comes to quality rally driving. --Stuart Miles
Pedal power meets polygons in No Fear Downhill Mountain Biking, a no-holds-barred cycling experience which successfully captures the essence and devil-may-care style of competition mountain bike racing. The menu screens feature clanging guitars and jolting graphics that put you in the mood for adrenaline-rushing action. Once you hit the slope, you'll immediately encounter high-speed rough-and-tumble racing featuring huge jumps and varied terrain. From riverbeds to steep city roads, the game is filled with challenging race environments. While the graphics aren't as crisp as they could be, the speed is certainly here, and when players switch to a behind-the-handlebars viewpoint they'll know what it's like to tread the thin line between fear and control.
Six riders are available, each flaunting personality and different strengths. Upgrades such as lighter frames or better tires are awarded after beating three separate opponents on each track. A strength meter decreases after holding the pedal button down for long periods of time. Players will learn to let the bike coast on downhill segments, supplying the riders with bursts of strength for pedalling on flat or uphill segments. This strategy, mixed with the visceral thrill of racing, makes No Fear Downhill Mountain Biking an exhilarating experience. --Jeff Young
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