Nintendo 64 £49.99
With Diddy Kong Racing, Nintendo has moved the benchmark for the cutie car-racing-game further up the grid once again.
Not only is Diddy Kong Racing a racing game, it is also an adventure game of sorts. For a start, there are bosses, and to take these on you must win races. Once beaten, they will give you a second mission to complete and just when you think you have seen the last of these nasty little fellows, there they are again.
In Adventure mode, when you win a race you win a golden balloon. Possession of one of these balloons unlocks course-doors, allowing you to race for more balloons and providing access to further racing areas. In fact, such is the game's free-roaming structure that you'll never find yourself short of tracks or areas to explore.
All 30 courses (five worlds) are built into an Overworld and although many of the courses are a bit on the short side there is a host of objectives to complete besides just plain racing. The ultimate goal is to reach the Trophy Race of each world: this is where the skill and experience gained in earlier sorties is all important.
Of course there are the usual power-ups to give you a helping hand, including magnets, which pull you up to the racer immediately in front of you - or your opponent back to your position.
Coupled with the power slide, sharp-turn technique and Rumble Pak (not included) Diddy Kong Racing is sure to take over the mantle of Mario Kart 64.
Graphics: 90%, Sound: 85% Gameplay: 85%