Racing is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it - Why Not You?
Quad Desert Fury isn't the best quad game out there, but I have found it to be pretty challenging. This was another one of my son's Christmas gifts in which I am already addicted to. I have found myself picking up his GameBoy Advance SP just to play through a quick race. I don't really know what it is about the game, but I love the competition. Competition is good, Right???

When the game starts you have the option to do a quick race or you could choose the Challenge Mode. The quick race mode is great if you just want to quick action packed race. It's also excellent for practicing and getting a feel for your controls and even testing out and practicing on different tracks. In this mode, you can choose to race on any track and in any order that you wish to. This is okay but in my opinion, I'd only use it for practice. I need a good challenge or I get bored with the game quickly. What's the fun then if it doesn't make you work for the win? (Believe me, it doesn't take much to challenge me when it comes to video games) *wink* The competition is there, but for some reason I don't seem to take these quick races as serious as the races you are working on, in the Challenge Mode.

As the game begins, you and three other ATV's are lined up and getting ready to race. 3 - 2 - 1 - GO----- And you're off!!! Feel the motor rev under you and watch out for obstacles in your way. Things such as Bushes, Cactus, Water Holes and even other quad racers will cause you to crash, or slow you down one way or another. To complete a race you MUST drive through EVERY single check point in their proper order. If you're cruising along and zip past a check point, don't even bother trying to go through it in reverse, it just won't work... (Believe me, I know, because I tried it) You will actually have to reverse or do something, but get that ATV turned around and go back through it. But hurry, because time is precious.

You have a directional arrow in the top center of the screen, it's purpose is to help guide you toward the next check point. The track is obvious, but why stick to the track, you're on an ATV... Go off the beaten path, and race to the next check point. The arrow points the way. I found this little trick to be helpful. The track seems to take you just a tiny bit longer, and in this game, every split second counts.

You'll also notice on your screen that you have an elapsed timer in the upper left corner. This simply shows you how long you've been racing on that particular track. Honestly, I don't pay any attention to that, because who cares how long I've been on that track, but if it showed me how far behind the other or something like that, then I'd pay attention.... I have noticed that Nascar video games do that, but not this one. If it were that way, I'd probably pay more attention to that feature. Now the Position Indicator, THAT is what I pay close attention to. This is located in pretty bold writing there on the upper Right hand side of your screen. To be in 4th place is not funny, and 3rd, is just No Good, 2nd, now that's getting there, but 1st... YEAH that's where you want to be!!!!

If you manage to get to 1st position, watch yourself very carefully, the slightest screw up could cause you to lose valuable time. Beware of what you hit, obstacles in your path might cost you the race at this point. During the Quick Race Mode, I don't feel that it's as bad or intense if I lose. I just lose and say "So What", and try again!!!

The REAL Challenge: Choosing to race in The Challenge Mode!
Now this is more like it... When you choose this mode you MUST WIN a race in order to proceed to the next track. There is NO chance of picking tracks, because in order to move on, you have to complete the races in specific order. I think that this is a big challenge, it's great. You feel the competition level rise, and THAT'S what racing is all about isn't it? If by any chance you don't win, you are given 2 more try's to win, in order to move on to the next track. Otherwise "GAME OVER"

I'd certainly love to tell you that I've passed and won many tracks, but if I said that I'd be a liar... I have been SO CLOSE to winning. I've been in first place and heading for that last section to go under the start/finish line, and then suddenly out pops another ATV out of nowhere and bumps me, my guy falls off, and the guy that bumped me takes first. And if that's not enough to make you mad, the game adds insult to injury by putting BIG BOLD RED PRINT on the screen saying "YOU LOSE" By this point I'm mad, and the determination and the competition level rises inside of you. Now you just HAVE to try again - and again - and again - and again!!!! I swear, you have to maintain perfect control and most likely be some sort of race game expert in order to breeze through this game.

From what I've read in the instruction booklet, there are also land mines that you have to watch out for, not that I would know it, because I CANT get my Win *grrrr* According to what the book says, the land mines will make you lose the most amount on time on the track if you hit one. Since I've been conveniently robbed of my win several times, I'll just have to wait for my chance to test them out. I guess by the time I get to a track with those on it, I will have learned to be even better at controlling my ATV. Right?

You may also find an icon with a picture of a gas can, if you hit one of these on the track it will cause your ATV to have a few seconds of extra speed. The gas cans are GOOD, but don't hit anything else, or you'll lose time.

There are a few helpful tips that I have found while playing the game. Obviously I already wrote about NOT sticking to the track. I have found that sticking on the trail you will lose time. Maybe more time than you realize. Jump off the track, jump some ditches and take short cuts, but make sure you follow the direction that the arrow is pointing, that will guide you to the next checkpoint. If you want some advice on how to make those jumps without crashing yourself as you land, just press and hold back on your control pad when you are jumping hills. (the down arrow) The landing will go much smoother, believe me, you'll need to save slivers of seconds at every opportunity in this game, and these things should help you accomplish just that!!!

The graphics in this game are fairly good. This isn't Play Station by all means, but GameBoy's have come a long way baby. It's full color and it's pretty cool. So who cares if you can see every detail or not, you aren't going to see detailed trees, and detailed parts on your ATV, but do you really need to see those things? I've been having lots of fun playing this game, that's for sure. The sound is awesome. In this game you have an upbeat rockin' electric guitar, and the sound of your ATV as it revs it's engine. It can't get any better than that, can it? When playing this game, it makes me want to go race and ATV for real. I have ATV fever man!!!!


See My Other GameBoy Advance Video Game Reviews:

» The Lost Vikings
» Monster Trucks
» Crash Purple: Ripto's Rampage
» Mighty Beanz Pocket Puzzles


© 2005 - Lynda Nielsen §



Recommended: Yes