Reviews

One of the most popular launch titles for the PSP in Europe was Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, so it seems only natural that the series returns to Sony's hand-held device at around the same time that it makes its debut on the current generation of consoles. Despite cut-backs in a few areas from the "big" version of Midnight Club LA, this PSP remix does have a little something that even the HD generation doesn't get their hands on.

The key hand-held exclusive is the inclusion of an additional city to the action. Therefore, players will not only get to experience action in the City of Angels, but also in Tokyo as well. Admittedly, you do have to complete the LA career first before you can get a proper drive in the Asian locations, but you can also sample them early through the various Arcade modes as well.

All the shot's missing is nitrous flames coming from the exhaust

Midnight Club's basic story follows the same pattern as the console version, as you show up in LA looking to earn respect through your driving skills. This leads to you heading out on the street, defeating other drivers in pre-set races, or by challenging certain other drivers that are also cruising around. However, the various cut-scenes that help tell the story have been removed, with all interaction from other characters coming via your cell phone.

The career race selection also appears to be have been reduced somewhat, with Circuit-based, Ordered and Non-Ordered races the only ones available off the streets. Again, if you have a delve into the arcade mode, there are a few more additional race options, such as Time Trials and even Capture the Flag modes, but you won't be getting anything like the one-on-one traffic light races. Also, in keeping with the limitations of the PSP in comparison with its bigger brothers, you'll only have a maximum of three AI opponents at any one time (although there's plenty of traffic alongside them that you'll need to avoid).

Bored of cars? Then get on your bike!