Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA

Your Driver's Ed instructor would advise you to drive conservatively, and to be courteous to other drivers. The developers of Rush 2 suggest running over stop signs, driving through subways, and knocking your fellow drivers through office building windows. The former may be sound advice, but the latter is Oh so much more fun.

With the maniacal spirit of San Francisco Rush still throbbing in their brains, the developers at Midway have designed Rush 2 to make its predecessor look like a leisurely Sunday drive with Grandma. Crammed with more tracks and cars than the original, Rush 2 pushes the boundaries of feasibility way past the snapping point. As you're jumping from one aircraft carrier to another, the phrase "Don't try this at home" becomes completely unnecessary.

Our first look at extreme racing was limited to the streets of San Francisco, but Rush 2 spreads the insanity all over the country. You can bash up your vehicle on 10 different tracks, where you'll find famous landmarks and familiar stretches of road. Artistic license is in full effect, so don't be surprised if you find huge ramps lurking where your favorite coffee shop should be. Hey, if the track designs were completely authentic, how could you end up soaring high in the sky over a block of office buildings? The Stunt track completely snubs its nose at reality, and provides an open arena stocked with obstacles and ramps designed to treat your car like a corn kernel in the Pop-O-Matic 2000. You earn points by performing flips, roll-overs, and spins; but basically it's all about pushing your car to the extreme.

Rush 2 allows you to either participate in a one race exhibition mode called One Race, or to rocket through a 28 race Circuit Mode. The tracks can be tackled forwards, backwards, mirrored, or both mirrored and backwards. Each approach provides different opportunities for short cuts and huge airs, so you'll have to re-learn every track to end up in the winner's circle. The Circuit Mode throws the tracks at you in a random order, with uncontrollable weather variations and track configurations. One race could have you driving a mirrored L.A. track in the rain, while the next could have you racing backwards on Alcatraz in the sunshine. Each Circuit is different, so your eyes won't glaze over as you replay the game.

If you plan to drive your car upside-down through tightly twisting tunnels, you have to choose your ride with care. There are 16 cars to test drive, including sports cars, a muscle car, a hatchback, and a van that looks suspiciously like a VW. Last year's Rush limited your creativity to choosing the cars' color, but Rush 2 lets you slip into the greasy coveralls of a skilled mechanic. Adjustable features include torque, suspension, tires, and durability. Don't expect the same rewards for fine tuning that you find in a true racing sim, but you'll benefit from experimenting with these features.

Phat air is fun, but replay value is forever. Rush 2 keeps you clutching the controller by tantalizing you with the promise of secret cars. To earn these mysterious vehicles, you have to find 12 keys and 4 soda cans hidden on each track. Some are easy to find, others are hard to locate, while some are easy to see, but tough to grab. To collect all of the keys and cans, you'll be forced to experiment extensively on each track. Some keys can only be found by racing the course backwards, and others require you to launch from ramps with the precision of Evel Kneivel. We're not sure why there are huge soda cans floating above the streets of Seattle, but extreme driving must be thirsty work.

While you have your eyes peeled for soda cans, you'll notice that the graphics in Rush 2 are much more crisp and defined than in San Francisco Rush. Since Las Vegas is rarely covered in fog, the developers couldn't use natural weather patterns as an excuse for hazy graphics. The vehicles realistically reflect sunshine and artificial street light, and the frame rate is fast enough to produce a realistic sense of speed, even during two player action. The subway rats found in New York look a bit like two dimensional billboards, but at least Midway is willing to pay attention to details.

If you're a fan of realistic racing simulations, the monstrous jumps in Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA may appear obscenely huge and a bit over the edge. If you're a racing fan who doesn't mind sacrificing authenticity for jaw-dropping jumps and crashes that'll make you cringe, then Rush 2 will give you what you need.

Source:

www.nintendo.com

*# RUSH ACROSS AMERICA!

Performance...Adrenaline...Speed! These are the ingredients in the next generation of Rush Mania! Feel the Rush once again as you blast through some of the hottest spots in America!*

• You want death-defying jumps and treacherous shortcuts? You'll find 'em, along with much more, in 8 new venues!
• Time to polish your speed demon driving skills! You'll be smokin' the radar guns in places like Las Vegas, New York City, Hawaii, Los Angeles and Seattle! And of course, there's that garden spot known as Alcatraz Island. Yeah, we're talkin' about The Rock.
• Choose your racing machine from 15 new vehicles. Then cruise on in to the body shop and trick out your ride: change the brakes, switch out the wheels or get a completely sweet paint job!
• New Durability setting allows you to pump up the strength of your vehicle! The heavier the setting, the more hits you'll withstand! And while you're testing your car's muscle, collect keys hidden on all the tracks and gain access to leaner, meaner and faster racing machines--cool things come to those who race!
• Decisions, Decisions--Rush 2 has 11 selectable tracks along with a 28 track circuit mode. Ignore the speed limit as you race through all of them or reverse the tracks to make even more! And while you're seein' the sights at the speed of light, crank up the radio - each city comes with its own killer soundtrack!

Source:

Back of Box - N64 (US)