Simpsons Road Rage (PS2)

The first thing that leaps out at you when you pick up Simpson's Road Rage is Crazy Taxi--it's an unashamed copy of the Sega hit. The premise is simple: drive around Springfield picking up popular characters from the popular TV show and depositing them at their requested destination for cash. The graphics are colourful, yet not overly detailed--but then that's in keeping with the cartoon style of the show. This enables the PS2 to keep the action at a nice and frenetic pace. The levels are pretty big, with a multitude of flash jumps and short cuts for show-offs; most of the scenery is destructible, too, and that can add to the game's satisfaction. All of the locales are recognisable, from Moe's Bar to Grandpa Simpson's retirement home.

The main element of the game is the aforementioned Crazy Taxi-esque "Road Rage" mode. There are also Sunday Drive, multiplayer and mission modes. Sunday Drive allows you to pootle round the various levels at leisure for both sightseeing and tactical route-planning reasons; this is the best way to find those sneaky short cuts and hidden areas. Story mode adds a little extra sparkle to the game, with a set series of missions to complete--for example, Homer's skived off work for the afternoon and you, as Bart, have to sneak your dad past the evil Mr Burns and back into work.

As with most racing games, you're rewarded for reaching set point totals and completing the missions, but the difference with Simpson's Road Rage is that you get to choose your reward, be it unlocking one of the secret characters like Groundskeeper Willie and his tractor or opening extra maps like the Springfield nuclear power plant. The real high point of Simpson's Road Rage, though, is the sound. No Homer-a-likes here--each character has their own real voice from the show, the one-liners aren't too repetitive and do lend themselves to the type of situation that the characters find themselves in, and some of the lines are laugh-out-loud funny. All in all, recommended for fans of the show, Crazy Taxi nuts and those gamers who are partial to unpretentious pick-up-and-play gaming. --Laurent S Hall

There's road rage, and then there's road rage Simpsons-style. D'oh! Mr. Burns is up to his greedy tricks again. He's purchased Springfield's transit corporation and heinously jacked up the fares. Refusing to shell out for the new rates, the rage ensues. You'll take on commuters and jam-packed back-routes, all in an effort to help buy back the corporation before time runs out.

More than 25 Simpsons series characters climb behind the wheel or wander the streets begging for a ride. Careen through timesaving shortcuts and take on terrain that includes hills, mountains and forests. Wreak havoc in five Springfield neighborhoods that include landmarks such as Moe's Bar and the nuclear power plant. Busy traffic and wayward pedestrians confound your rage. However, two-wheel leans, speed-starts, power slides and other cool car-physics help you release that rage.

Multiple game modes let you go head-to-head in two-player split screen action that challenges your opponent in a race for the next passenger--or you can steal their passenger mid-ride. Complete up to 60 unique passenger deliveries in story mode. Or take a leisurely Sunday drive through the fair Springfield. A bonus system lets you unlock cars with specific characters, while intuitive menus make this game easy to play. And as Homer would say, "If it's hard to do, it's not worth doing".

The Simpsons Road Rage blends renowned Simpsons wit and edge-of-your-seat racing action into a rip-roaring, reckless and riotously-funny arcade-style driving game.

Mr. Burns is up to his greedy ways again, purchasing the Springfield Transit Corporation and jacking up the fares. Refusing to shell out the high rates, Springfield citizens are forced into humorous "road rage" as they brave angry commuters, jam-packed back-routes and the challenge to make enough money to buy back the Transit Corporation before time runs out. No time for donuts, Homer.