Gaming Target - Xbox: Big Mutha Truckers

Written by Ryan Genno on July 23, 2003

Full Review: It might be missing a Lynard Skynard themed truck, but you can always create one with the custom paint job.

Driving video games have been popping up like crazy lately and the competition is really started to heat up. To separate itself from the pack, Big Mutha Truckers here does things a little differently. Just imagine racing down some scenic southern U.S. locations with a gigantic 18-wheeler at your helm while you wheel and deal your way to fame and fortune. That's what you have to do in this wacky simulation game and since the Big Mutha Truckers are your typical tough rednecks stereotypes, you have the freedom to drive as badly as you want. Is this Grand Theft Auto with trucks? We'll see, Сy'all'.

The story revolves around the Jackson family in the fictional but well named; Hick State County. Big Mama Jackson is getting up in years and she's ready to retire so she's looking for a successor to manage the family business. This is where the 4 siblings Rawcus (the cool black guy), Bobbie Sue (the sexy chick), Earl (the old fat guy), and Certus Jackson (a skinny dude with no front teeth) come into the picture. It's your mission to amass a huge fortune with one of these characters so you can prove to Ma that you are the one who can take over the Truckin' profession.

Although you're driving in most of the game, there are moments when you take a break and can manage all the goods you're trucking. After completing a run why not go to the local Bar to either get a loan for some money, play a slot machine to try your luck or you can just talk to the locals to get info on who's buying what and then go to the Store to buy some of those shipments. The Store is also used to sell your goods in make a profit but be careful not to get the wrong stuff or it not sell well in other towns. There are 60 days (not 6 like it says on the back of Сta' box) to make your fortune and you better make sure your truck holds up by making trips over the Garage. Sorry folks, you have to use your darn ol' brain on this one even though the product seems to be dumb downed with its whole cartoon-like redneck theme.

When you're done making all the necessary decisions, it's time to go back out on the open road. The controls of these four trucks are as good as controls for trucks can get but that's my only problem here. The big rigs sure eat up a lot of room and since you have to worry about the truck and the cargo, it's too easy to get hit and get damaged in the process. Big trucks are great for wild rides but they are not good for precise driving.

I guess that's the beauty of BMT's game play. If something gets in the way like a sign, trees, or even other cars you can just ram them off the highway. Few things can stop and argue with a 10-ton truck. Heck, you may even earn some extra cash by doing extra damage on the way believe it or not. Be careful of all the Cops and Bikers on the road though. The Cops will fight back if you decide to hit one of them and the angry Bikers will jump on the back of your rig to try and steal your load. It looks very funny when a biker jumps on the back of your rig and the only way to shake him off is to drive like a maniac.

That brings me to BMT's graphics here. The trucks look alright thanks to all the impressive glare and reflection effects plus I was surprised in the amount of detail too even though these are not licensed vehicles. УWho doesn't want a good truck?Ф The rest of the game's graphics aren't so impressive because of the dull locations and the low frame rate. Another problem was that there was no lip-synching by the characters, they look at you and speak. BMT looks all right but it's sure not the most stylist racing game on the market, whether it was intentional or not?

These trucks are so advanced, they even have there own radio. УYee HAW!Ф Like in Grand Theft Auto Vice City you pick what you want to hear while driving. It's not all good though. Why are there only five radio stations? I can understand the generic Country and Rock stations but why in the world is there something called Space 103 that plays high-energy techno music here? УYou can't square dance to that stuff!Ф