Import Tuner Challenge
a game by | Genki |
Platform: | XBox 360 (2006) |
Editor Rating: | 5/10, based on 1 review |
User Rating: | 7.8/10 - 10 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Download Racing Games |
Genki is known for a few good racing games they have put out in the past, but Import Tuner Challenge might be an exception to their track record, not quite being known for its fantastic game quality. Although some parts of the game can still be enjoyed, it is not the best overall. Still, as they say, do not knock it ‘til you try it.
Visuals
Visually, the game is not bad at all. Granted, it is an old game, so things are not extremely detailed, with walls and roads being more of a solid block of color rather than concrete and asphalt. The cars, despite there being a lack of detail, have a good bit of customization available, with 18 different cars to choose from when first starting the game (even though you only have enough credits for 8 of them).
In racing games, however, the main objective is not to absorb the beauty of the world around you and appreciate the detail of the leaves that were hand animated in. The point is to get from A to B before anyone else does, a lot of times resulting in anything the player sees becoming a blur. For this reason, the graphics do not matter an extreme amount, making Import Tuner Challenge still an okay game in this aspect.
Gameplay
While there are a few different game modes in Import Tuner Challenge, the best one that anyone would consider playing is Quest Mode. After your car, custom license plate, and color are all selected, you are ready to race. In the common theme of street racing, the player is given the challenge of becoming the new king of racing after the old one has disappeared. Blazing through streets and highways of Tokyo, players must try to be first, but also need a clean driving record. The rules of racing here are a little different from other racing games, having something called a Spirit Point Battle (SP Battle). In SP Battles, players face against other racers with a meter. The meter measures how well they are driving (amount of collisions, how close to their opponents, etc.), and whoever has the most spirit points left at the end of the race is declared the winner.
Once declared a winner, upgrades and customizations will become available for the player to choose from, making it easier to win the next race (in more style too). Something that Import Tuner Challenge does that is quite nice is how the upgrades are implemented. In quite a few racing games, upgrades make the car faster and that is about it. Here, upgrades can alter the feel and handling of your car in good or bad ways according to how the player likes to race, making it a bit more of a strategy game when choosing upgrades.
Personal review
Tuner Import Challenge is in a unique category of games in that it is so bad it is enjoyable. The simplicity and odd elements of the game make it interesting to learn and even more rewarding to win.
Even though it is an old game, it can be played and loved by those that love the quirky, untraditional elements of the racing styles it presents. I rate Tuner Import Challenge with a 5/10.
Pros:
- Good amount of customization
- Multiple modes of play available
- Adds touch of strategy with accurate upgrades
Cons:
- Different racing styles from traditional games
- Lack of detail in art
- Other modes are not up to par
Download Import Tuner Challenge
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP