Okay, it's been a while ...

After taking time out to rest up for the release of the PS2 - I'm back. That's right "Little D" is here once again to tell you how it is. I'll start gently to work my way back to my best with these three cheeky little reviews exclusively for the PS2 format:- ... lets go!

Nintendo64

• Goldeneye

Sony Playstation

• Ridge Racer Type 4
• Metal Gear Solid
• Rollcage

Sony Playstation 2

• Midnight Club
• ISS (International Superstar Soccer)
• Timesplitters

[N64]

Goldeneye

Hidden Cheats Table
Multi-player cheat

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[PSX]

Ridge Racer Type 4

It has been a long time since any racing sim has looked like rocking the throne that sits Gran Turismo on the Playstation. Now with the release of RRT4 comes the first real challenger and what could turn out to be a Gran Turismo beater.

There are similarities between the two that will put the pressure on for the long awaited release of Gran Turismo 2.

RRT4 may lack the fantastic variety of cars and stylish extras that Gran Turismo boasts, but the two-player mode is the best there has ever been. That combined with the brilliant graphics and smooth game play, the likes of which I have only seen on Rollcage makes this for me better than Gran Turismo. If it weren't for the limited variety of cars and the fact that you would have to complete the game 112 times to unlock those that it has got, RRT4 would be the best racing game out there, until the imminent release of GT2 anyway.

If you don't have GT, buy it, if you have got GT, buy it, if only for the variety of tracks.

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Metal Gear Solid

Finally, how long did Konami want us to wait? There, that was one of my only complaints about this truly brilliant game. If you could use more than one item in your inventory at once it would be perfect.

I would place this game somewhere between the Tomb Raider series and Resident Evil 2. With the aim not to be detected the controls handle superbly. Where the inventory in RE2 was a complicated procedure the MGS inventory is readily available via one click of the L2 button. The whole game runs smoothly right through the ranks, from the detailed story line of a Nuclear Conspiracy to the in-depth and extensive video sequences that mean you won't lose the story anywhere. There are a wide range of enemies and weapons to finish them off with and plenty of action wherever you turn.

This is a great game, Konami have spent as much time on the huge VR Training section as they have on the game itself. Buy this game now!!!

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Rollcage

The first and most important thing to notice about this title is the way Psygnosis have got so much out of the Playstation. Rollcage is a great idea for a game that in my opinion did not reach its full potential. Don't get me wrong the game play is enough to please anyone, but ideas that could have made the game great are sadly absent. For example the choice of vehicle is limited to the driver, and to be honest it doesn't take that long to finish. That all said, the tracks are great and there are plenty of 'em.

The game runs smoothly and without a stutter. There is also a great advance from the days of Grand Theft Auto where the loading screen took ages. The two-player mode is brilliant and there is a nice selection of weapons to destroy your mates or the computer drivers with.

One bit of advice, I found that playing this game with an Analogue Controller enhanced the game play even more.

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[PS2]

Firstly, I'll say to all you pessimists out there (who probably bought a Dreamcast) the Playstation 2 is without a doubt the most powerful Console out there right now! (Not to say something better won't come along but at the moment it is - SO ACCEPT IT!)

Midnight Club

(The Game that came with my console so a lot rested on it's shoulders.) You can well imagine what was going through my mind when I first pressed the power button on the console, ( " I bet it's gonna be shit" )but I was proved wrong. The game play is fantastic, fast and the control the player has over the vehicles is very responsive.

However, you are limited to just New York and London as tracks, which can become tedious no matter how much detail they have gone into for each city. (There's only so many times you can drive round London and be impressed by the Look of BIG BEN!)

Generally a good idea that was handled well. The lack of tracks is outweighed by the gameplay, graphics, speed. The game is not too easy by any stretch of the imagination, with lots of cars to unlock and various challenges. No regrets in choosing it. If anything it's good to have a capture the flag game for when you get back from the pub with your mates.

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ISS (International Superstar Soccer)

I found myself in HMV with Fifa 2001 in one hand and this in the other. Having always played Fifa games since 1996, I thought it would be nice for a change.

After 12 games, I eventually erased the Fifa controls from my brain ( a problem lots will suffer with ) and managed to get to grips with the Dual shock 2 analogue sticks as controls instead. This feature of Playstation 2 takes you right back to arcade style controls - I LOVE IT!

Graphics, again, are beautiful and very smooth, with more camera angles than Sky and ITV put together. These prove useful in replays, as you can move the camera into any position and prove your innocence, or if you are like me, rub your opponents face in it when your given a "dodgy" Penalty.

All the real Players are there, but only countries, not league teams. A brilliantly skilled kickaround and worth buying if you can drag yourself away from FIFA and you can put up with Terry Butcher's Commentary - You can always turn the volume down!

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Timesplitters

The creator of this website your on, would disagree with me here (damn right! -ed.), but this game pisses all over GOLDENEYE! for the N64. In all the games I have played on the PS2, they have shown Graphics and speed in a class that Nintendo and Sega could only dream of. This game is worth buying the console for. Many a night spent playing till the early hours and not wanting to sleep.

I don't really understand the story, but I don't seem to care, the gameplay is enough. 12 Levels each completely different to one another, each housing completely unique enemies. That's just the "Story" game which can be played single or multi-player (4).

The game really shows off when in arcade mode. Picture the Scene - You and four pals, in a room with 12 other Nutters, and all of you have Rocket Launchers. YEAH BABY YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mat Harden has played this game and I know he loved it, if you can get him to admit it, you're a better man than me. (i think it is a good game & the makers have had Goldeneye as a basis to build on & better the genre, but Rare have also come a long way since with the aptly named 'Perfect Dark'. Which is just the best 1st person shoot 'em-up around [also with much improved weapons, gadgets, scenarios, AI enemies, customisation]. -ed.)

Arcade and Story are two of the many different ways to play this game, others include - DEATHMATCH, CAPTURE THE BAG, ESCORT, LAST STAND, KNOCKOUT, etc. Each brilliant in its own special way.

With a wide range of artillery,( as many or more than GOLDENEYE), this game certainly blasts its way into my hall of fame for the PS2 so far.

Here I leave you to get back to my own PS2! If you haven't got one, you must have a girlfriend that won't let you. Never mind, come and play on mine. If not you won't here from me till after the release of METAL GEAR SOLID on PS2. There really isn't any need till then.