The NEED FOR SPEED. It resides in us all; that adrenaline rush that one can only get from
pushing a vehicle to almost unreal speeds... dangerous and insane speeds. There is something
strangely fascinating about flying down the road going far faster than you should be. If you know
what I'm talking about, then Road and Track's Need For Speed for the PSX is EXACTLY what
you need. 
  I've only had it for a few days now, but I've decided to write this because I can taste this games
beauty. It's endless. It is destined to become a classic, and a game in which many others will be
measured. I have been playing games since I was a kid, and I've never been so enthralled with a
game as this. 
  Right off the bat, you are presented with a host of options. The game includes eight screamin
street machines. From the Lamborghini and Viper to the Acuta NSX and the Toyota Supra
Turbo. Each car has unique characteristics that you must master, all with their own flaws and
strengths that make them the top of the line in street cars. To test these out, the game gives you
different game modes. The first is the Time Trials (driving on the courses to try and beat your old
record times), Head to Head racing in which you race against only one other car of you choice),
Single Race (in which you race seven other cars on any track), and the Tournament( where you
race against the other cars in your class, and you only advance if you get first). 

  The options are plenty. There is the ability to change music tracks and adjust volume, configure
your joystick (analog joysticks are supported), and memory card support (there are also
passwords). 
  WHen choosing your vehicle for any race, you can view different statistics and pictures of each
car, which is also narrated by someone at Road and Track. IT tells the specs of the cars, their
history, and gives you hints on the little querks each car has. 
  
  The games graphics are absolutely awe-inspiring. I saw pictures in magazines of this game, and
I wasn't overly thrilled. Sure they look ok, but nothing great. But the game has to be experienced
in order for someone to appreciate the flawless details of the graphics. There only seven tracks...
yet each track is huge, and contains a variety of scenery. You see ocean shorelines, mountains,
pawn trees, clouds, and anything else you see on the roads of America. You are also able to
choose for each track whether you want to race in the morning, midday, or evening. It's these
little touches that make the game so awesome. 
  The incredible graphics in no way slow this game down. The beautiful scenerey flies by at a
SCREAMING pace, in speeds like I've never seen. THere is NO redraw problems, and you can
see all the scenery far into the background, and watch as it approaches the screen. But I wont say
much more. They have to be seen in order for anyone to understand. 

  The control on the game is beautiful. It is the best handling racing game I've ever played. Each
and every car handles in vastly different ways, and your gameplay must adjust to each car. There
is no way to drive a Viper the same way you would drive the Corvette. Each car is supposedly
modeled after it's real life counterpart, so I assume they are supposed to handle realistically.
When revving up the RPMs and then jamming the gear into first, smoke erupts from your tires
and you can almost smell the burnt rubber. Another great touch to the game is the tire marks that
remain on the ground as you race. But when your tires grip the pavement... your off and flying.
The game doesn't allow you to go full tilt the entire time. Doing that is a sure way to finish dead
last, or get caught by the cops (yes, you outrun cops!). Each track has turns and bends, and if you
even think that the Viper is going to take a steep turn at 150 Miles per hour... you've got a big
suprise ahead of yo!
 u.!
 But if you panic and throw on the brakes (normal brakes and hand brakes), be careful: you could
find yourself spinning out of control. I've only played the game with the basic PSX controllers.
The control is good... but I can almost taste how the game will handle with an analog joystick or
a steering wheel. Then you can probably feel the road beneath you. 

  The sound and music is great too. Each car has it's own horns and engine sounds. You can even
hear the road beneath you on the pavement, and when you crash you can hear the metal grind and
glass shatter. THere is a variety of music, and some of it really rocks and is the perfect high
adrenaline music for insane speeds. 
  
  Need for Speed is a game you can play for ages. If a friend comes over.... yep. THere is split
screen action, and it works pretty damn well. There is also the ability to use the link cable, which
I haven't tried yet. Each track is huge and unforgiving, and every car reacts to those tracks in
different ways. All together there is more than enough to keep you coming back for more. I've
played for two days now, and I'm still not even close to stopping. Right after I write this, I'll be
back for more.

  There are only a few flaws in this game. It is supposed to be a realistic game, yet you can crash
into a car going in the opposite direction at speeds of 200 miles per hour and not get a dent. You
just reappear on the track ready to go again. This is really a minor complaint, and one that I don't
even consider a flaw... but some might. The crashes are often spectacular, but no physical
damage can be seen on your car. 

  This is the best racing game available. PERIOD. Lots of variety, kickin graphics, perfect sounds
and music, and incredible gameplay. I give thanks to Electronic Arts for this spectacular game.
I've been waiting for something like this for a LONG time, and it has finally arrived. Enough
writing... the game calls me. It's time to put the petal to the metal!!