18 Wheeler American Pro Trucker - GameCube

After previous outings on Dreamcast and PS2, Sega’s all-American, arcade juggernaut simulator comes to the Gamecube, complete with myriad denim, lumberjack shirts and Grizzly Adams beards – Yee-Haa. Obviously lacking the huge model truck cab of the arcade, this version places the player in the driving seat of a 10 ton truck in some of the craziest races you’re ever likely to see, retaining all the over-the-top qualities of the original.

The idea is pretty much straightforward: Race through the United States, against rival truckers, from New York to Key West, to Dallas, Las Vegas and, finally, San Francisco, totalling over 5,000 miles of road. It’s also against the clock, so care has to be taken and, although not much of a threat to a speeding truck, other traffic avoided where possible. The occasional time bonus can be found by hitting certain vehicles, thus helping a little towards making the next checkpoint, and shortcuts are scattered throughout, which are often a necessity when the clock is ticking. Between levels, skill-related mini-games, such as parking, reward the aspiring truck champion with power-ups for the vehicle.

As far as modes are concerned, 18 Wheeler features Arcade Mode, Parking Challenge and Score Attack. In addition, split-screen two-player Versus Mode, multiple raceways and several stages of mini games add a bit more life to what is, admittedly, not the longest game around. This is, at the end of the day, a pure arcade game. It’s a great deal of fun, it’s gorgeous to look at and it’s by Sega. Enough said.

“…And a big hello to all you truckers out there…”
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