XGRA: Extreme-G Racing Association

Publisher: Acclaim

Developer: Acclaim

MSRP: $49.99

ESRB: Rating Pending

The Extreme-G series has certainly had its ups and downs since its debut on N64 in 1997. But with XGRA, the racing franchise has finally come into its own and can now be counted alongside games like F-Zero and Wipeout as one of the futuristic-racing genre��s defining titles.

It��s not that XGRA does anything particularly unique��it��s just that the game is so thoroughly polished. You turn it on and everything feels right; the music, graphics, and even the menu system all complement each other perfectly. And the little touches��like the sound effects going completely silent when you reach a track��s zero-grav area��really add to the whole experience.

The racing itself is superfast, with twists and turns that get on you faster than Anna Nicole Smith on a Big Mac. But the control is so tight that it takes only a bit of practice to deal with the ridiculously high speeds and technical tracks. The only problem I had was with targeting and destroying specific competitors, but I could feel myself getting better at it the more I played. And there��s nothing wrong with having to build your skills up a little bit, right?

My only real complaint about XGRA is that too few bikes compete in each race. The way the game is now, you don��t get the feeling of racing in a pack. The inclusion of a bunch more racers would add a whole new dimension to an otherwise excellent experience.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Copyright © 2003 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.