Five Stars? For this game? Yes. And I'll tell you why. Back in day, when Moto Racer first came out for the PC, Ultra Game Players said in their review that it could be the last racing game ever made and they would be happy. Seeing as how the playstation version and the PC version are virtually identical (save for slightly more jagged graphics on the playstation and a bug or two on the pc), I have to agree with them that this game is indeed one of the great ones. I've played many racing games in my time, and this one rises above the pack, particularly in the arcade category.First, there are the graphics. Nice. Fast, clean, crisp, and bright. And there's lots of neat stuff going on in the background, like birds flying by overhead or windmills turning. Granted, today most games feature graphics that make old PSX games look pathetic, but style in graphics is forever, and the graphics in this game will always look great. They look just like a Daytona USA or Ridge Racer arcade game.
Then, there is the control. I must say, this is the only racing game I ever played where I actually WANTED to use one analog for steering and the other for braking. It just feels PERFECT. Control is also made more interesting by the turbo wheelies (the boost) which speed you up, but make it almost impossible to turn. Stategy in the controls? You bet.
The music and sound are VERY arcade-like. If you dig that sort of thing, you'll be very pleased. If you DON'T, well, it's pretty good for arcade-style.
Where this game really shines is replay value. Long after you've played through a season on the excellent and varied street and off-road tracks, you'll be coming back for more. You see, all of the tracks are awesome. You've got a snow track, a jungle track, a desert track, a beach track (you get the idea, every kind of eye-candy dressing you could imagine), and every track is very unique. There isn't one track that feels just like the other. And you can unlock mirrored and reversed modes for each track (and select them both for mirrored and reversed at the same time). And there is the code that makes every track at night, essentially doubling the replay value once again (thanks to GREAT lighting effects). And let's not forget the pocket bikes that look rediculous and go so fast you'll be flying off your bike left and right.
All in all, I would call this game a somewhat underappreciated classic. It's one of the best arcade-style games to be found for a console system, and even the sequels could never quite match the simple genius of the original. If you love racing games, this one is must-have.
