Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! What's with Monster Truck exhibitions and Sundays, anyway? Monster trucks are big vehicles with spectacular over the top stunts, amazing crashes, and everything huge. But can this game live up to the huge factor on the small screen?

Initial Impressions

When I got to the first menu screen, I had to double-check the box for developer and publisher. The menu screens look almost identical to the MX vs. ATV series menus. Nope, different developer--I guess imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

The game does well to capture the environment of monster trucks, including stadiums and outdoor tracks, but graphics are blocky, even for a PS2 game, and the engine noise just doesn't sound very "monster." The focus of the game is on the crash, getting bonus points for breaking things, but this is hit and miss, as you never know what's destructible and what's not until you slam into something and screech to a halt. On the positive side, even the trucks themselves show signs of damage. In some modes, you can even lose wheels, which makes control rather difficult.

Gameplay

The controls use a standard system, so nothing complicated there, except that getting used to controlling these beasts takes some getting used to. My 7 and 10-year-olds were able to understand the controls and enjoy playing, but I would not consider "control" to accurately describe what they were doing.

Part of the problem is the collision system. Smashing into a semi pulling a trailer full of logs makes a big boom, but it barely slows your truck down. But driving over a pile of cars, what monster trucks were really designed for, sends you flying into the air, completely out of control, and the sheet metal wall of an airplane hanger can stop your truck in its tracks.

The other part is simply control. These beasts can turn on a dime and will often do so at the slightest bump. Control, especially for kids who tend to over-compensate their steering, is extremely difficult and needs a certain degree of precision in some spots that just doesn't quite happen. The camera also has a hard time keeping up, so if you get suddenly spun around, you have to wait for the camera to turn around so you can see where you're going. Add in a stadium full obstacles with a turn every few yards, and you have an exercise in frustration. That said, the game isn't all bad.

Modes

Championship (1 player) This is the equivalent of the "Career Mode" in many games. Play events to unlock more events, trucks, tracks, and stunts. It combines most of the modes below.

Eliminator (1 player) A race to the finish line with one truck eliminated each lap in an outdoor setting.

Circuit (1-2 player) A more standard race mode, outdoors again.

Freestyle (1 player) Focusing on stunts, this stadium setting is what most people expect at a monster truck rally. Rack up points with stunts and smashes, but if you land upside-down, you're done.

Stadium Racing (1 player) A race to the finish line in a small stadium, my least favorite because of the difficulty, plus some of the tracks are so short, you have no time to catch up after even a small blunder.

Stadium Circuit (1-2 player) Stadium Racing with additional tracks.

Cross Country (1-2 player) A practice mode, allowing you to drive all over the Circuit tracks for as long as you like. My kids love this mode, because it's like a giant game of bumper cars. My 7-year-old laughed until she started coughing. "I'm going to get you, Daddy!" That said, I really wish they meant the name of the mode. If you stray from the track, though, it puts you right back. A 4-player option or online play would really improve this mode as well.

Time Trial (1 player) Race against the clock--standard stuff here.

Battle Royale (2 player) Similar to the Freestyle mode, players smash up as much as they can, including each other, in a stadium, which makes it even more like bumper cars than Cross Country, although this one has a timer and clear winner. The kids enjoyed this one as well until both front wheels fell off.

Final Word

Monster trucks are supposed to be huge and glorious. but these just aren't there yet. Rent it for a weekend if you have kids aged around 6-12 and let them have fun smashing each other and you up, but as a purchase, I couldn't recommend it.