You’Ll Never Get Bored With This Game

Mon., Nov. 22, 1999

Tyler Laney Ferris

Crash Team Racing Platform: PlayStation

Developer: Naughty Dog Publisher: Sony CEA Players: 1-4

From the creators of the Crash Bandicoot series comes a game that redefines the standard for all kart racing games to come. If you have ever considered purchasing a mascot racer like Mario Kart for Nintendo64, then resisting Crash Team Racing will be quite a feat.

It is the newest and the highest quality racing game available. It is practically impossible to get bored.

The competitors and tracks are based on Crash’s universe, giving the game a rather enjoyable atmosphere. The racing experience actually revolves around an innovative turbo system, which gives the game more strategy instead of pure luck.

There are many choices of what to play. There is the adventure mode (it requires a memory card unless you play nonstop until the game is beat), which lets you race the different courses to get credits and prizes, which earn new levels and characters.

The second choice is time trial. If you beat the ghost in each level, no matter what race you choose, you pick up another identity.

Battle mode lets you challenge racers to one-on-one games. The great part about this game is that extras such as weapons can be opted for in battle arenas. Selecting extras give players new freedom.

Another option is VS for up to four players. This is a race between just the human controllers so there is no outside interference to blame your mistakes on. However, a multi-tap four player hookup is needed for the true racing experience.

If you do want to play against friends or the computer controlled figures, you can race in arcade style. This lets you choose the levels you want to race.

The game also features gorgeous graphics. In fact, the game seems flawless when it comes to looks and it never slows down or distorts, even when there are four people racing at the same time.

This is one of the best multiplayer games by PlayStation and the best mascot racer ever.

We’ve played other PlayStation racing games, including Roll Cage, 3Xtreme, Gran Turismo ad Jetmoto3. This beats them all. Even N64’s Mario Kart doesn’t beat Crash Team Racing.

Crash Team Racing has the great replay value. As you long as you have friends, this game should last you a long time.

At the very least, consider renting the game and seeing for yourself.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.