emember your first car? If you’re like most of us, it wasn’t a make or model that’s been in an episode of Cribs. It was a hand-me-down from a sibling that smelled like smoky fried tacos, no matter what kind of freshener you threw at the problem. Much like your first car, this is a game that has that pre-owned smell all over it. Tokyo Extreme Racer 3 is actually developer Genki’s fourth title in the series, and it hasn’t gotten any fresher through the years.

Publisher Crave has changed its philosophy and decided to release budget titles, of which this is certainly one. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fan of the series, it’s just that so much has happened in the street racing genre since Crave switched its focus. Cruising around real sections of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka looking for rival gang members to race is a great concept, but with Need for Speed: Underground and Midnight Club 2 available, this title is too simple on many levels. The races are staid and the maps require too many load points. They are dull in comparison to MC 2’s shortcuts and inventive AI. What saves this game (besides the price) is the amount of customization, which includes making your own stickers. You’ll also get a kick out of seeing what crazy name your competitors have christened you with depending on your skills.

To say this is the poor man’s street racing game is quite an understatement. However, to completely dis Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3 would be a little harsh. It gets to where it’s going; even if it’s a little beat up in getting there.  

JUSTIN LEEPER   6.75 This series – which started in 1999 on Dreamcast – was around before The Fast and the Furious made street-racing cool. Its core gameplay hasn’t changed much since then, however. It’s a little tamer than you’d expect from a late-night, illegal race. The roads are basically void of traffic, you can only go one way, and there aren’t any branching paths to speak of. You also spend a lot of time cruising around looking for opponents. I like the life bar system, which goes down when you’re trailing or when you damage your car. Speaking of vehicles, the customization options are incredible. Tweak headlight types, window tint, rims, and even use a comprehensive paint program for your own decals – like the Black Flag logo I put on the hood of my sleek hooptie. It’s just sad that the tweaking is more enjoyable than the game itself. Tokyo Xtreme Racer is a neat idea that has run its course.