It seems a majority of the Game Boy Advance games released today are not top shelf material.  If a big movie is released, then you can probably find a GBA game based on the movie.  From time to time there are some gems released for the GBA, but a majority of the titles can be overlooked.  However, every now a then a title is released that offers players an enjoyable experience. 

Monster Trucks are exactly what their name says, Monsters.  The trucks might seem big on television, but you need to see them in real life to appreciate their size.  So how do you package a huge monster truck into a Game Boy Advance game?  By offering an entertaining racing game that doesn’t rely on the size of the trucks.  Monster Truck Madness is a racing game that allows you to race Monster Trucks across several different tracks. 

There are three different modes available in Monster Truck Madness: Instant Action, Race and Time Attack.  The Instant Action mode allows you to race on a randomly generated track.  The Race mode, allows you to race on 30 different tracks and compete in three different difficulty levels.  The Time Attack mode allows you to try and set the new track record.   

The biggest challenge in the game is the Race mode.  There are three different difficulties, Rookie, Intermediate and Professional.  Each difficulty level is made up of 10 tracks, which are divided up amongst three different types of tracks.  You start off on the Rookie difficulty setting and have to complete all 10 of the tracks on the Rookie setting before moving on to the next level.  The three different type of Race tracks are the Circuit Tracks, Rally Tracks and Monster X Tracks.  

Even with the race track name of Monster X, Monster Truck Madness doesn’t provide a car smashing racing atmosphere.  You race against five other trucks and similar to other racing games the goal is to finish first.  In the Race Mode, you must finish first before you can move on to the other tracks.  If you finish 2^nd to 6^th, you cannot move on to the next track.  This isn’t a racing simulation game either, but more of an arcade racing game.  

Each track has seven different pickup items that can provide you with an extra bonus while racing.  The pickup items range from a boast of speed (Nitro) to sticking on the track regardless of going over bumps (Glue).  Picking up the items on the track can help you get ahead on the competition.  Another important part of the game that can help you is the RAMPAGE option.  By using your Truck to destroy different objects placed on the track, you fill up your destruction meter.  When your destruction meter is full, then your truck will be in RAMPAGE mode.  Think of the RAMPAGE mode as your truck being invincible and having a temporary boast of speed.  The RAMPAGE mode can be a tremendous asset in a close race.

In such a small package, Monster Truck Madness offers an entertaining racing experience.  A real surprise is how smooth the game plays, since Monster Truck Madness is a 3D racing game.  There is even an in-truck view available in the game.  Another impressive bonus is the real time damage that occurs to your truck.  The damage isn’t enough to destroy your truck, but it adds to an already impressive game.  However the controls can take a while to get use to get comfortable with.  The trucks seem to float around the track at first, but it shouldn’t take long to get comfortable with the controls.  Another issue with the game is a lack of variety with the game modes.  You race across 30 different tracks, and the tracks are very similar to each other.  A little more variety would have been a nice addition.  But Monster Truck Madness is a nice addition to the vast GBA library and offers players a big experience, in a small package.

Gameplay: 7.5

Monster Truck Madness provides a smooth racing experience.  The trucks seem to float at first, but it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to get comfortable with the controls.  The different power ups on the track can give you a quick and necessary bonus, while racing.  The gameplay is good, but nothing that hasn’t been done before.  The game has a polished feel that other GBA games seem to lack.  The game provides an automatic save function, which is very handy.  Instead of stopping to save the game, the computer will save your results after each race.

Graphics: 7.5

For a GBA game, Monster Truck Madness should impress most gamers.  The 3D graphics are very impressive, for a GBA game.  Just the fact that the GBA can produce a 3D game is amazing.  Now the graphics aren’t Gamecube quality, but come across very smooth on the GBA screen.  You can switch between three different camera views, behind the truck, in-truck and overhead.  Switching between the different views can be done right away and will not impact the gaming.  The different tracks are detailed but can get repetitive with the same look and feel.   The real time damage can be viewed on your truck, but is missing from the computer controller trucks.  There isn’t any slow down during the game when all 6 trucks are on the screen at one time.

Sound: 6.0

The game includes a track announcer for each race, and sound effects for your truck.  The sound effects come across clear during the race, but are nothing outstanding.  The track announcer is limited to a few words during the race, and the few phrases can get old quickly.  There isn’t any music during the race itself, and the only music track is during the title screen.  But you do get a nice “Yee Haw” sound effect that you can use throughout the race!  YEE HAW!!

Difficulty: Medium

Getting used to the controls at first is probably one of the most difficult parts of the game. Most of the races, especially at the rookie difficulty, will have you starting the race off near the back of the pack.  Then around the 2^nd lap, you would usually catch with everyone and then jump ahead.  The rest of the race was a piece of cake after you past the rest of the drivers.  The intermediate and professional difficulties does bump the difficulty up, which might be provide more of challenge to experienced gamers.

Concept: 7.0

A racing game isn’t anything new, but a 3D Monster Truck racing game is unique for the GBA.  If the game provided some more options, such as a car smashing competition, then maybe the score would be a little higher.  You race on different tracks, across different areas is a concept we’ve seen a thousand times before.  This is a tried and true arcade racing game that won’t surprise gamers. 

Multiplayer: N/A

This a single player racing game. 

Overall: 7.0

Monster Truck Madness does what a game should do, provide a fun experience.  For most GBA games, the fun experience might be a temporary fix, such as waiting for the next flight or traveling with your parents or significant other.  For quick, pick me up & play game, Monster Truck Madness will not disappoint.  The 3D graphics are impressive and the racing is smooth & polished.  However those gamers looking for a more in-depth racing experience will be disappointed.  With three difficult settings and 30 different tracks the game seems to offer a wide variety of gameplay options.  But the racing experience can get repetitive after a while and the only other option is the Time Attack mode.  A few more game options would have definitely helped the score.  But Monster Truck is a solid racing title and packs a big “YEE HAW” in a tiny, little package.