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Is there really a need for more speed? When driving's this much fun, you can't go wrong. Bring it on!
Gideon Kibblewhite

Some PlayStationers have taken a snobbish line towards the Need For Speed Series in times gone by. 'Oh, it's alright,' they might say, 'But it's not brilliant, and certainly not better than... ' blah blah blah.

But despite its B-list celebrity status the series has always been extremely popular, combining great driving action with a sense of humour. Instead of monotonous racing circuits we've always delighted in great road tracks from all corners of the world and, in the latest edition, Hot Pursuit, we're treated to marvellous antics options involving cops and robbers. What more could you want?

Need For Speed: Road Challenge is an excellent addition to the series. Polished to a shine, it's the details which give the game its charm. For starters there are telephone boxes by the English 'Durham Road' track. Catch these just right and they disintegrate before you in a satisfying shower of glass - and as an added bonus there are more to be hit just over on the other side of the road. Knock one lot over on your first lap and take out the others on your second, crossing the finishing line in spectacular style.

There is no opportunity, alas, to run over the inhabitants of the sleepy virtual villages which you career through: perhaps terrorised by the demonic driving on their streets, they all seem to stay indoors.

Some may argue that the definition of Road Challenge's graphics are not much better than the original's but that would be harsh. You need only drive through the stunning grove of violet blossom-laden trees of the French track to see the care and attention which has gone into this game's looks. State of the art it may not be, but neither is it slap dash.

Future Gamer also believe that just once in your life you've got to experience the dual shock effect of driving over the cobbled roads of France's 'Route Adonf' - it's sheer PlayStation joy.

Past critics of the NFS saga have derided the series' driving quality, saying the cars are notoriously difficult to handle. Well, the fact of the matter is that the driving thrills of Road Challenge are tremendous. It's true you can easily loose it and slew around on some corners, but patience, and a little skill (ever heard of that, eh?) will see you right.