Asphalt Urban GT (Nintendo DS) Preview

That is of course a tad harsh, the game looked decent on the N-Gage and looks decent here. Actual cars have been imported onto the Dual Screened wonder and look crisp and clear, if a little bit block like, that all handle differently (Some worse, some better), and the amount of different locations within the game is very impressive, all using shadow and lighting effects to give different feels to them, and not go down the Need for Speed route of having everything as painfully shiny.

The top screen displays the cars and the race itself, leaving the bottom screen for the race track layout, and location of other cars, that allow you to predict when is the best time to use your precious (And probably very illegal) turbo boost and beat your opponents to the finishing line. The racing also is seen from the usual inside the car and behind the car view for those who want a bit more in-depth racing experienced.

Although the way in which you gain your turbo boost gives a few nods in Burnout's direction, the crashes and collision detection are nothing like what Criterion hand crafted. Unfortunately you can pass straight through other cars, and objects without it affecting your speed in the slightest, but when bumping along side a car, the result looks very unrealistic and more importantly never benefits you.

There are a variety of modes on offer including; the essential cop chase, where strangely you play as the upholders of justice and not the people fleeing from the law. Other modes include free play, instant race, time attack and road challenge. The main draw will be the Evolution Mode where you do the standard racing championship mode, as you win races and can use your winnings to soup up your car with new upgrades or just buy a whole new car altogether.

The four player mode supports both the free race and the championship mode, allowing you to select which class of cars you want and which locations to choose through. (And thus making sure that the more experienced player does not use their powered up auto) Sadly Asphalt Urban GT is another one of those games shunning download play, so to get some multiplayer from this game everyone will need a copy.