Asphalt Urban GT (NDS) - Review

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With Asphalt Urban GT being a launch title for the Nintendo DS, it's easy to see that this title was rushed into release. Asphalt follows your basic straight forward racing sim, with good graphics for a DS. A lot of areas seem 'boxy' and pixilated. The layout of the controls were poorly thought out as well. Luckily you have control over this, as the game provides you with the ability to "fully customize" all controls the way you want them. This was a major plus, as most games will let you customize the controls, but only to a certain extent. Asphalt Urban GT does not utilize the touch pad as many would think it would. There is no steering wheel, but to be honest, using a touch pad for a steering wheel would be harder than it looks, and cumbersome to say the least. The placement of you as a racer is the worst point of the game. When racing in Evolution mode, (or any mode) you are placed last (every time) with seven or more other AI racers. Not only are you placed last, you get placed at the finish line while the rest of your opponents are placed about one second apart in front of you. This makes the game very frustrating as you try to progress through. As with most games, the starting AI is as dumb as a bag of rocks, but as you start to get through the levels of racing, the AI starts to get more challenging.


In Evolution mode you race in different cities with traffic going both ways and this can get annoying. Within the traffic, and on most of the courses, you will see trucks with ramps on the back of them. As soon as you even touch one of these ramps with your car, you go flying. Catch one of these trucks at the wrong time and you find yourself crashing into an invisible wall at any of the tracks corners. This would eventually put you at a stand-still when you land. This is were the Booster comes in handy, but in order for you to receive more containers of boost, you need to run over objects like patio sets, phone booths, little pillars (that look like road separators) and other road items. This will give you more containers of boost but doesn't hinder your speed when you hit objects. If you bump against a wall or other drivers however, your speed will decrease. Some of the AI racers can be mean. Hit a car in traffic, and you will most likely be put into a spin and in most cases, put your speedometer at 0 while the AI runs past you. Hit a car head on and you will stop all together, staring into the headlights of the car you just hit, trying to work your way to a viewable spot on the race course to play 'catch-up.' Other times you will just spin and it will only cost you about 10 miles per hour. While this title from Gameloft has a lot to be desired it is still a fun arcade style racing game. Being able to race the 25 different cars and trucks can be a blast. Each car has its own characteristics for weight, power and turning radius. but the collision engine leaves a lot to be desired. There are 3 different views you can choose while racing. Spot chase far, Spot chase close, and cockpit. For some reason, the developers of Asphalt Urban GT thought it would be cool to put cut scenes in the game while racing. While in one of the Spot chase views, if you hit one of those ramp trucks, have a major crash, or jump a hill, then it goes into a cut scene. After the Cut scene it returns you to the race. This can be very distracting as I was playing catch with what was in front of me to avoid.

I enjoyed this game as a arcade racer but only expect to play it when I have a few minute to spare. If you like racing games and want something on the go for your DS. I would recommend this title despite its fall backs, but do not expect to be thrilled by it.

For a title that was rushed out the door for launch, the graphics surprised me.

It was hard to tell if the music sounded like a Gameboy or actual music. It's just on the edge of both

To many problems were over looked in to many categories to make it outstanding

If your willing to deal with the drawbacks, then this could a fun racer from time to time but don't expect to much out of it.

Its a fun title to have if your willing to deal with the balance issues in the middle of the game.

For those Specification junkies out there, here is a list of the game Features.

• Three different racing modes
  • Arcade: Race in four different arcade modes for a fast an easy way to get racing
  • Evolution: Challenge AI racers in various championships to win money. Use the money to buy faster cars and upgrades to those cars.
  • Multi-Card Play: Challenge up to four friends with the same game, in a no holds bar race, Multiplayer style.
• Options
  • Volume Adjust
  • Controls (Fully Customizable)
  • Arcade Difficulty
  • Speedometer
  • Reset Profile (You only get one slot)
• 25 different Licensed cars including the dreamy Seleen S7
• Arcade Mode
  • Instant Play: Race with a random car, on a random track in a random mode
  • Road Challenge: a five series race. finish top three in each race to win the trophy to advance to the next challenge of five races.
  • Free Race: Pick your car, pick your track and race other AI cars and avoid the traffic.
  • Race the clock to get the best lap time.
  • Cop Chase: Chase the speeders, lock them in for a few seconds to make them stop. stop 7 cars in two minutes.
• Evolution Mode
  • Garage:
    • Tune your car or cars with the best upgrade you can afford and have unlocked.
    • Display Car: Gander at your ride
    • Sell: after your done admiring it, sell it! There's no Blue book value here. Even with upgrades.
  • Championship: Race for the gold to unlock more cars and upgrades. Not to mention the money.
  • Car Dealers: This isn't your uncles car lot. Only the top of the line cars at top of the line prices.

Here's your list of cars to unlock in championship mode.

Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin DB9
Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro
Chevrolet Corvette C6
Ford GT
Hummer H1
Hummer H2
Jaguar XKR
Lamborghini Murcielago
Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT
Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Gallardo Police
Lamborghini Diablo GTR
Lamborghini Diablo Roadster
Lotus Exige
Morgan Aero 8
Nissan Z
Nissan Skyline GT-R
Seleen S7
Shelby Cobra Concept
Shelby GT-500
TVR T 440R
TVR Segaris
Volkswagon New Beetle RSi
Volkswagon Golf GTI

Reviewed By:GyverX Reviewed On: Thu, 02 June 2005 19:56:51

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