Hot Wheels Stunt Track Driver

Copyright: KBkids.com

Any time a six year old and a fourteen year old fight over turns on the same computer game, you can be assured you have found a winner. This new Hot Wheels title is a sure fire hit, and is sure to bring out the little boy in any male member of your household.

With this new program, your kids can build Hot Wheels race tracks to their heart's content. They can also race on several pre-designed courses which trail through the entire 'house.' The graphics here are great. While not truly 3D, this video rendered 3D world will please any child. The only complaint testers had was the fact that onscreen instructions are severely lacking. It took awhile before scores, times, and race results made sense. No one really seemed to care, however, as this game was an immediate smash hit, instructions or no.

From the main screen, you have three choices. You can construct your own Hot Wheels stunt track in the virtual 'garage.' You will have all the parts your imagination could ever conjure, and more than you ever owned as a kid. By clicking on the track part you want, your track gets longer and more complex. There is no real 'right or wrong' way to build a track here, but your kids will learn tricks as they progress. You can then choose one of your Hot Wheels cars, and race through your own track. Although you can use the keyboard or a mouse, testers enjoyed using a joystick or gamepad instead. You can store up to four race tracks and continue working on your favorites.

If you want a pre-built track which winds through the house, and is a real challenge, you won't be disappointed. Several 3D rendered tracks are available for you to race on. Your races are timed, and you will be shown how many times you 'crashed' during each race. Watch out for pesky cats, and barking dogs! Crashes are very realistic. The small cars careen off edges, flip through the air, and fly across the room. This was not frustrating to young children, as your car immediately pops back on the track and away you go.

Those with a competitive edge can try their hand at the true race area. Here you will find the same pre-built tracks, but the objective is different. Each time you successfully complete a race course, you are awarded with a new Hot Wheels car to use. You can earn up to twelve cars. As you complete each 'level,' you are allowed to try the next track. If you are real pro, you can open two bonus levels tracks.

This program will be a hit at your house if you have boys (or girls for that matter) who enjoy Hot Wheels cars. They may have asked for a race track in the past, only to find you cringing. Now you can let them race all they like without picking up small plastic track pieces strewn throughout your living room.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 4

BrainGain: 1 1/2

FunFactor: 4

EasePlease: 3

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