Gaming Target - GameCube: XG3: Extreme G Racing

Written by Matt Swider on April 15, 2002

Full Review: Unlike the XFL, this Xtreme game will last you more than one season.

Back in 1997, when Nintendo 64 owners were eager for games, Acclaim released a title with a futuristic, speed driven theme, similar to Wipeout or F-Zero. Acclaim followed the game up with a sequel one year later, but the videogame series ended as a short-lived, one console wonder. However, years later the third installment of Extreme G appeared on Playstation 2 showing off its gaming might on the next-generation system. It couldn't be denied that the previous Extreme G games were some of the fastest racers to date, even offering the ability to break the sound barrier for a quality special effect. Despite bearing a few minor problems, the Playstation 2 version seemed to be racing with overall success as well. It has been a few months since then, but a port to GameCube has brought even more improvements to the series, yielding praise from Nintendo fans once again.

Extreme G 3 features an arcade mode, which enables players to utilize any of the weapons within the game, however tracks within can't be played until they are unlocked in the heart of the game, its career mode. Here, players must chose between six teams and also one rider while advancing through each league. Over time, you can use cash you've earned from the races to upgrade your bike with additional weapons and extra speed. Of course, at the same time, the tracks become increasingly more difficult with additional twists and turns throughout. This is something that makes the Extreme G series exciting and here the courses are built more intense than ever. You'll rush in and out of tunnels and up steep inclines, only to come barreling back down, hoping to not careen into the sides of the track.

Maneuvering your bike through the course does take some practice and taking advantage of the shoulder buttons when making the sharp turns proves to be very wise. After playing both the PS2 and NGC versions of the game, it must be noted that the overall control scheme fits the GameCube controller better than it did on Playstation 2. Don't get me wrong though, both versions handle suitably well. As long as players know where the buttons to boost and fire are, things turn out rather well. When approaching straight-aways, you must learn to fire your weapons and utilize your speed boosts in order to perform a hit and run operation, clearing the competition out. The only other concern you should have is maneuvering through the twists and turns that follow.

Extreme G 3 does require that you use a good deal of strategy while racing. Following the second lap each rider is given the chance to use their boost and selected weapons. However, they are limited to the amount of energy they have available. The boost power doubles as the bikes shield, so unless you can handle each turn without grazing any walls, it is a good idea to save some of your energy for any bumps that come along the route. At the same time, you don't want to waste your weapons on unnecessary targets. Approaching each course with the right tactics will ensure a speedy victory at the finish line. Just as each of the ten different circuits are skillfully constructed, so to are the more than twelve bikes at your disposal. The graphic theme stays within its futuristic realm through the entirety of the game and things also remain at a steady frame rate that helps give Extreme G that intense feeling. There is even a very appealing special effect where the rain hits and sticks to the TV screen and falls quicker when the boost is enabled, making things seem like an actual dashboard.

Here once again is one of our favorite effects to be brought to the racing genre: breaking the sound barrier. When traveling over 750 mph, your bike will take a seemingly unreal sense where sound is diminished and your vision is slightly altered. Building up enough energy to perform a boost and enable this special effect is rewarding in and of itself but can be a costly maneuver to use if you are not careful. While Playstation 2 remains somewhat the same visually, noticeable differences and improvements can been seen when played on GameCube's enhanced power.

Speaking of GameCube's enhancements, the exclusive ability to race with three other friends is readily available for anyone who has the guts. With Playstation 2 only offering two players match-ups, this GameCube option sets its value much higher when deciding which is the wiser purchase. Additional multiplayer offerings include two-player co-op mode to race the leagues against enemy AI, providing less of a constant bore for anyone who dismisses the main portion of games simply because of it being isolated for the single player.

To add to the ambiance of XG3, techno music can be heard throughout the game and is most fitting to the overall futuristic sci-fi feel. Of course, the bike's engine effects are present and help to make the atmosphere complete. The game doesn't sound too shabby, especially is you enjoy those techno tunes.

XG3 Extreme G Racing

Full Review: Unlike the XFL, this Xtreme game will last you more than one season.