For years, I've enjoyed numerous racing games that have have graced the consoles of our present day and the past. Till this day, I actually believe that the NES classic Mach Rider was one of the most enjoyable action/racing titles, full of replay value, challenge, and allowed players the ability to use their creative talents by designing their own tracks for future use. It's always been my hope that a developer, (if not Nintendo itself) would recreate a modern-day version, complete with some new features, and hopefully a slick selection of musical tracks to complement the entire experience.

Adjust your rear view mirror and check the headlights, Extreme G3 is approaching from astern and PS2 gamers ought to take notice. Developed by Acclaim Studios Cheltenham, Extreme G3 is a souped up, gravity-defying racing game that's as fun to play as it looks. Featuring 10 massive tracks that range from beneath the earth's surface up into the boundaries of space, the level design is rich in detail and packs a significant degree of diversity and background interaction.

Extreme G3 features several single-player game modes which XG League, League, Arcade, Time Trial and Championship Mode. Players that opt for some human competition can engage the two-player modes (each which are respectively in split-screen fashion, which includes Team Grand Prix, Head-to-Head; or you can just buddy up and battle against the CPU opponents via the co-operative modes.

The diversity doesn't end there, as Extreme G3 features a selection of 12 supercharged motorbikes, fully armed, consisting of detailed bike animation system which provides complete feedback relating to the bike's handling, including air-brakes, flaps, weapons and thrusters. The designs are quite stylish and high tech, which remind me of inspired from the classic anime Akira. Feel the need for speed? Not to worry, speed purists will feel right at home (especially those who are familiar with the intense speed from F-Zero as Extreme G3 features constant 60 frames per second. I felt right at home when I gave it a test-run at E3 (being a speed junkie and all), suffice it to say...the game is fast, and very intense. Don't spend too much time admiring anything else but what lies ahead of you.

Below is a brief brekdown of some of the other features, look for additional updates as they become available and we'll be sure to provide a full hands-on review when Extreme G3 races our way later this year.

Features:

• New techno soundtrack spun by Europe's world renown artist Ministry of Sound.

• All-new, advanced game engine, built from the ground up for the next-generation gaming platforms.

• Feel the force of racing speeds up and above the speed of sound, including sonic booms.

• Turbo boosts taking the bikes to extreme speeds and gravity defying environments.

• A landscape animation system, bringing lush worlds to life.

• Game Play in Dolby Surround Sound

· · · Bahn