F-1 World Grand Prix

Paradigm Entertainment
Nintendo 64

Formula 1 98
Psygnosis
PlayStation

The console world gets a double dose of Formula One with a new game apiece for the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation formats.

It may seem a chance to compare the merits of the two systems. The trouble is both games show the limits of translating the sport itself.

That is, they may be the fastest cars in motorsport but they just don't feel that way.

Both go for accuracy over out-and-out kicks - effectively giving you a flight simulator (at 5cm above the tarmac) of the world's great grand-prix tracks. But if it's out-of-the-box speed thrills you require, both these need the sort of patience and finicky technique that only someone with a serious motorsport habit would possess.

Both do offer your chance to be Michael Schumacher or most any other big name from the big-name teams. The Nintendo system predictably is bigger on the bells and whistles department, including weather conditions, ability to replay the 1997 season and greater efforts at recreating the joys of keeping the car going. It also offers the startling cockpit-eyed view.

And points on for having pit-crew radio advice as part of its high-octane soundtrack - whereas the PlayStation has the max rpm voice of commentator Murray Walker who, fortunately, can be turned all the way down.

Graphically, unfortunately, Formula 1 98 looks like an older generation racing sim with just a few tweaks.

The more responsive F-1 World Grand Prix gets the soft-edged Nintendo look with its quirky eye for detail (and if you think racing is over-festooned with sponsors' logos, you should see it from the drivers' point of view).

But both feel a little remote even when you're hitting 350 km/h, and in the balance of gameplay-to-merchandise both titles still swing towards the latter.

Sure, there is fun to be had, like the man who braked not soon enough before the bank at Monte Carlo.

But unless you're a big fan of the premier league petrol heads, both these Formula One titles feel, well, formulaic.

-- Russell Baillie, 7DAYS, 19/11/98