Speed Kings - PS2

Welcome to the intoxicating - and forbidden - world of high-speed street motorcycling, where a daring few risk life and limb to challenge all conventions to earn the respect of fellow racers and bask in the temporary limelight afforded the bravest rider. This is a world ruled by Speed Kings, the elite biking enthusiasts who welcome any risk to prove that they have the guts, style and skill to beat any biker who dare meet them on their own terms. On the toughest tracks Europe and America have to offer, the Speed Kings maraud the motorways and highways, always looking for a challenge, never saying no to a test of nerve and speed. In a place where - far from being a part of the problem - the police are a large part of the fun, the only thing that matters is winning; anything less than the best is sneered at.

Speed Kings, developed by Climax, is an attempt to re-create the insane, 'seat-of-the-pants' speed of their marvellous Burnout games on two wheels. Performing tricks, having a few near misses with traffic, and catching some air (along with various other reckless manouevres) is all part of the game. Whereas in the Burnout games you had a meter to fill before you could really go ballistic, Speed Kings offers the powerband. It works in pretty much the same way as the meter in Burnout does; as you race along the streets, near misses and assaults on your opponents in a Road Rage-style will add to the powerband. Fill the powerband, hit the appropriate button, and you're away. Tricks such as wheelies, endos and surfing(!?) also add to the powerband.

With five multiplayer and three single player modes, mirrored tracks and hidden bonuses and rewards, there's plenty for the extreme biking nutcase to sink their teeth into. more