WipeOut Pure Mini Review

This game is getting almost all the attention from me at the moment.

The graphics are a complete stunner, and the racing--particularly at the 2 later speed classes--is blistering. Many folks in our group aren't too crazy about it. I suspect it's because the controls take a little while to master, especially with chicane turns and homing missiles flying at you at the same time. If you use the D-pad in conjunction with the L-R triggers for the airbrake though, you'll fare much better. It also helps to memorize the courses. A single turn, speed-boost marker, or weapon pick-up pad can mean the difference between 1st and 2nd place. If you're a veteran you'll expect the AI in single player to be a challenge, as you and one ship battle it out for the top standings in the racing tours.

I love the sound effects too: the ships hum over the tracks, and clank convincingly against each other when they make contact. The weapon sounds also do a great job immersing you into the action, while the thumping techno music pours out of your headphones like aural honey. It's a complete package like no other game on the system, although I do feel like we could have used a few more tracks, even if they could have been reversed, like Ridge Racer. Multiplayer is smooth, though it's best if you are both equally experienced.

Best Moments:

• Engaging the quake weapon when riding on the fastest class. Your ship is moving almost as fast as the quake itself as it rips down the course. It's almost like racing blind--a total gas.

• Using the turbo weapon as you're going up a hill, to fly past many tall skyscrapers and land just in front of the finish line.

Score: 9/10