A need for virtual speed?
By Stephen Ryan
CNN Headline News
(CNN) -- If you feel the need for speed, there are three new driving games that can undoubtedly curb your craving. One lets you take street racing to your TV screen, another is a demolition derby game that leaves only your console intact, and the third brings NASCAR tracks straight through your living room.
The first title to get the checkered flag is Namco's "Street Racing Syndicate." It combines the roaming abilities of "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" with the variety of a real-deal custom street racing hobby. Here's how it breaks down: If you like cars, you customize them. But it takes money to get your wheels looking sharp. And to get money, you have to earn it. How you ask? By racing.
In "SRS," there are roll-up races, street races and club races. But it's not as easy as that. You better know how to drive, too, because you can damage your car in "SRS" and fixing it also costs money. "SRS'" custom shop "sells" the same brand name products you see in actual racing stores. It's got everything from BBS and AR to NOS systems and graphics. Here's a hint for you: Don't spend the money to get your ride looking nice until you spend the money to get your ride driving nicely.
The next game on track is Atari's "Test Drive: Eve of Destruction." Unlike SRS, the name of the game in "Eve of Destruction" is looking ugly. It's unadulterated, off the wall destruction. From figure-8 tracks and trailer races, to destruction derbies and gauntlet races, "Eve of Destruction" is guaranteed to crack you up. The game has a career mode, as do each of the racing titles in this story. In the career mode for "Eve of Destruction," the goal is to place well enough to win cash prizes so you can buy other cars that have more power, better handling, thicker chassis, and fewer dents. Career mode also unlocks several special features.
The third title racing into victory lane is EA Sports' "NASCAR: Chase for the Cup 2005." This game may be the best NASCAR title ever. It's more detailed than previous titles and has a better feel than other NASCAR games. The goal is not just to race around an oval track. In "Chase for the Cup," you build a name for yourself as you work your way through the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR National Series and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.
I would recommend checking out each of these games. They all fall under the racing category, but each offer so many different experiences under that classification. The graphics are sharp, the cars handle relatively well, and the soundtracks keep you floored.
The next hard-core racing title gamers are anticipating is SCEA's "Gran Turismo 4." The release date is still to be announced, but word on the street is that the game is expected to be super hot. We'll be sure to review it for you.
