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Smashing Drive GBA Preview

Online Stock Market Trading Some gamers thought that Crazy Taxi GBA from Graphic State/THQ was a bit too tame. The new Smashing Drive GBA from Raylight Studios/DSI Games will definitely solve that dilemma since this game looks like Crazy Taxi on steroids. Smashing Drive was originally released on Xbox and Game Cube from Namco and hopefully the GBA version can revive some of the console insanity arcade gameplay.

Gamers take the role of a cab driver who must deliver passengers around areas in New York City, including Little Italy, Wall Street and others. Players must use all kinds of crazy driving maneuvers and six vicious power ups. The gamer faces a rival cab driver or another gamer while avoiding full-fledged NYC traffic. There are some shortcuts to give the player an advantage against the competition; however, the gamer might have to use some of the wicked power-ups to obtain the alternative routes.

Cool 3D engine

The game boasts arcade, 2-player mode and survival modes. The arcade mode is the majority of the game played. Arcade mode is played against a single cab driver in three different levels (and their three sub-routes). There are three levels of difficulty with easy, medium and hard difficulties. Once the gamer beats the three courses, then there is a hidden bonus stage to unlock! Survival mode is just as wild and fun as arcade mode. But the only stipulation is that once the cab is destroyed, then it is game over! There is a two-player mode as well.

The cab can be totally damaged, which is a very uncommon trait for most GBA games; so do not smash up the cab too much now. The game has a fully interactive environment which means the gameplay reacts to collision with the cab while avoiding buildings and cars. Some traffic vehicles include buses, normal sized cars, ambulances, semi-trucks, and school buses. Some of the areas of NYC include West Central Park, 5th Ave to 34th Street, Sea and Air Museum, Brooklyn, and Time Square.


Results screen

The special power ups for the cab include sonic, turbo boost, glider, 4x4, cutter and crash. Sonic gives the cab a potent sonic horn which is used to waste all other traffic in the cabs path. Turbo boost gives the cab faster speed for a limited time. Glider gives the cab wings which enable the cab to reach shortcuts easier and jump longer. 4x4 gives the cabs tires an ATV feel with morphing the cab into a wicked truck. Cutter gives the cab the ability to cut traffic with its new blades. The final power up, which is crash, gives the cab a hardcore battering ram to whack the traffic.

Smashing Drive GBA is clearly an amazing game for arcade racing fans. DSI Games continues their successful ways, despite their first few abysmal GBA titles. Raylight Studios expects to release Smashing Drive GBA sometime in September. Raylight Studios is a leader in the 3D gaming (with their Blue Roses Engine) for the GBA and is always looking to improve their 3D engine with new games. It looks like Smashing Drive GBA might lead DSI Games/Raylight Studios in the right direction with this smash arcade hit!

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