Gumball 3000

Description

Once a year, a collection of the wealthiest, craziest people gather to take part in a 3000-mile road race across Europe or, in 2002, the USA. Racers over the years have included such names as Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Dannii Minogue, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Bez of the Happy Mondays, and the definitely certifiable crew from MTV’s Jackass. Lesser-known movie stars, racing legends, assorted playboys and social climbers have all taken part in Gumball, and now it’s your turn, dear PS2-owner, to take part in the spectacle that is Gumball 3000. The part of Gumball 3000 players will get most out of is the titular option, wherein you start your racing experience way down the pecking order and have to work your way through the pack. Mindful of the fact that in the real-life race, drivers are unaware of the route to take to get from A to B, there are no maps or routes indicated on screen when racing. Granted, an arrow signifying a turn or hairpin bend will show up once in a while, but you really do have to keep your wits about you if you want to progress. Then there’s the added distraction of being pursued by the police. Your driving is under close scrutiny throughout, and will almost always attract the attention of the cops. If they catch you, you’ll be `busted’, and you’ll have a lot of catching up to do. During Gumball 3000, you’ll be given challenges such as collecting items with your vehicle whilst avoiding obstacles. You don’t have to complete these challenges, but if you do succeed, you’ll unlock the vehicle you’ve used, and can choose to race it later on. Another interesting option is Gumball Squad, where the tables are turned on the racers, and you sign up to enforce the law. For each course in Gumball Squad, there is one particular troublemaker who must be stopped, and you’re the one to do it. Gumball King is where you and two fellow racers divide the 21 vehicles randomly amongst yourselves, and compete over seven courses to see just who is the ultimate Gumballer. You only get to use each chosen vehicle once, so make sure you get the best. This section of the game, and the aforementioned Gumball Squad, are not immediately available from the menu. They become available through completing the challenges issued in Gumball 3000. Yep, like any other self-respecting racing title, you have to work your socks off to get the full effect of Gumball 3000. Longevity is not a problem with this game, you’ll find plenty to do. Options you don’t have to work too hard for are the self-explanatory Single Race and Time Trial. It’s a neat idea to bring something as fresh and vibrant as Gumball to the PS2. Developer Climax has captured the devil-may-care attitude of the whole experience, and in two-player mode, Gumball 3000 is a blast, the between-course challenges in particular causing a right old rumpus.