Dakar 2: The World's Ultimate Rally

Minor gripes aside, Dakar 2 is an incredibly enjoyable game and the GBA linkup is truly unique addition. It also happens to include the missing Gameboy version so anyone lucky enough to own a link cable and a GBA will actually get the chance to play it. Hopefully more developers will embrace this notion of adding extras via the link cable and Nintendo themselves promise a push for this feature during the run up to Christmas. Overall if you were dissatisfied with ATV 2 then you should probably give this a whirl. It could be just what you're looking for.

Acclaim hasn't really done anything groundbreaking with Dakar 2. It's just a solid arcade-style rally racing game that happens to carry the license of a grueling 20-day, 6,500-mile road race that typically involves more than 400 competitors. Some people may take that to mean that the game should have more courses, longer stages, and dozens more vehicles visible during each race. There are other games out there if that's what you're looking for. For those of you who aren't as picky about the details, there's a passable amount of fun to be had right here.

Dakar 2 is a really good fun rally game. Easy to pick up and with a great control system. Visually it's very nice but experienced games may find it a little to easy. It may not last too long but it's great fun to play.

Overall, this game isn't the best graphically, or even in execution, but it is certainly good for a diversion or for a person who isn't looking for a full-fledged simulation racing title. If you're just looking for a good, fun, racing title that looks realistic, this could be the one for you, but if you're looking for something like Gran Turismo, you'll probably end up disappointed by the lack of depth and semi-arcadey feel.

Overall, this game isn't the best graphically, or even in execution, but it is certainly good for a diversion or for a person who isn't looking for a full-fledged simulation racing title. If you're just looking for a good, fun, racing title that looks realistic, this could be the one for you, but if you're looking for something like Gran Turismo, you'll probably end up disappointed by the lack of depth and semi-arcadey feel.

The Paris Dakar rally is one of the worlds most grueling rally races. It is an event that challenges the endurance of man and machine. Participants utilize specially equipped sport utility vehicles, dirt bikes, and trucks to carry them through the harsh road to Dakar. Now GameCube owners can experience it in Dakar 2 from Acclaim, a fun but flawed rendition of the legendary rally event. Rally fans that don't mind arcade style controls and unimpressive visuals will find this game worth its $19.99 budget price.

Le Paris-Dakar aura décidément du mal à être représenté dignement dans l'univers du jeu vidéo. Quelques bonnes idées pour cette édition, de gros oublis également mais surtout un gameplay pas très au point, parfois sympa, parfois franchement mauvais allié à une physique pas toujours très convaincante. Ca pèse un peu lourd dans la balance et on préférera se tourner vers d'autres softs arcades plus réussis.

Le Paris-Dakar aura décidément du mal à être représenté dignement dans l'univers du jeu vidéo. Quelques bonnes idées pour cette édition, de gros oublis également mais surtout un gameplay pas très au point, parfois sympa, parfois franchement mauvais allié à une physique pas toujours très convaincante. Ca pèse un peu lourd dans la balance et on préférera se tourner vers d'autres softs arcades plus réussis.

It is almost impossible to find a reason to actually recommend Dakar 2. Despite the lack of rally games on the Gamecube, I'm really not sure what Acclaim was hoping to offer with Dakar 2. Everything that it offers can be found elsewhere, only with far better execution and anyone looking for a rally game would do well to look at the couple of other rally games available, or indeed any racing game on Gamecube, before even thinking of handing over £40 for Dakar 2.

Dakar 2 is a below-par rally game with some good ideas, but poor engine and execution. No matter how much practice and effort you put in, it won't do much good at mastering the game. Hire it if you absolutely must, but if you're disappointed at spending money on this game, don't say I didn't warn you...

Dakar 2 is a very bad game, which should be reserved for children under five, and that bloke from The Fast Show who thinks everything's brilliant. It's not exaggeration to say it's the least fun of all the games we've played this year. While we can appreciate that Acclaim yearns for a hit game like the desert lusting after the rain, we can't see how throwing substandard, undercooked, multi-platform tat at the problem is going to solve anything. Do not buy this. Ever.