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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Monster Truck Madness Series Thoughts

John B. Marine | 8:37 PM |
I'll be honest- I'm not really into monster trucks. However, they still can be awesome to drive. Microsoft especially believes this with the Monster Truck Madness series. Be the coolest kid on the block treading in a monster truck across tarmac and non-tarmac roads. I have only played the demo to the first Monster Truck Madness. So that's why this is a Thoughts post. I don't post any reviews unless I have actually, legitimately played certain games. Anyhow- welcome to "John's Race Space!"

By the way... you mean to tell me I haven't updated this blog since May 2017? Well, welcome to a new post to show this blog isn't "dead!"






Monster Truck Madness Series


Let's get to know the Monster Truck Madness series a bit.

Forget about precise driving, proper racing technique, pit stop strategy and the like- Monster Truck Madness is all about racing powerful and huge trucks across on-road and off-road settings. This game was created by the tandem of Microsoft and Terminal Reality Inc. I didn't know Terminal Reality Inc. created this game. TRI also did the similar games "Terminal Velocity" and "Microsoft Fury 3." Unlike the games from the previous sentence, the Monster Truck Madness series is all about laying tire treads all over the road and in off road situations. You can run in a number of locations. The announcing is done by the legendary Army Armstrong. The Monster Truck Madness games have primarily been on PC, but there are also versions available for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance.

Even though I made mention to a lack of realistic driving technique, you do have to try to handle these monster trucks properly. You have to account for the incredible power along with the suspension and handling dynamics. These are not Formula 1 cars. You have to learn to handle these machines with care and precision. The most important thing to remember as you race is to clear all of the checkpoints in order.

Four styles of racing can be done to suit your monster truck racing tastes: drag, circuit, rally, and tournament. Drag has you in a one-on-one drag race against another monster truck. You will have to stage your truck while also trying to properly complete two jumps with a bunch of cars. And as usual, mae sure to beat that other machine in the other lane. Circuit has you racing on a series of closed circuit tracks. These tracks contain both tarmac and non-tarmac sections to add complexity and challenge to your monster truck racing. Handle with care. Rally features you racing on a number of massive courses. These are longer than the Circuit events. Try to reach the end as the winner. There are three rallies in MTM. If you want to be the best, prove yourself in the Tournament.


Monster Truck Madness (1996).

Microsoft Monster Truck Madness
^ from: (YouTube) - Get ready for down and dirty monster truck racing.

Monster Truck Madness was released in 1996. You are able to run a variety of licensed monster trucks across a number of tracks. This was one of the first games to take advantage of the new (or fairly new) DirectX model. That's right- DirectX was more or less in its infant stages with a game like this. Plenty of games years later would take advantage of DirectX. You even get to race certain licensed monster trucks such as the legendary Bigfoot, Carolina Crusher, and Grave Digger among many others. As many as eight trucks (including yours) can battle on any course. So if there are any monster trucks you are a fan of, you can race with your favorite monster trucks in this game. Or at least... the ones from the game of this game.


Monster Truck Madness 2 (1997).

Microsoft Monster Truck Madness 2
^ from: (YouTube) - Monster Truck Madness 2 offered the insanity of the first title, but this one offers a lovelier visual experience among others.

Monster Truck Madness 2 offered not only more content, but also a beautiful overhaul of the graphics. Trucks now have environment mapping and even functional lights. You can even sink your truck into streams and waterways. The racing action is now prettier looking. Just because it looks prettier, however, doesn't mean the racing is somehow softer, because it remains as nasty an experience racing these monster trucks. As many as eight trucks (including yours) can race in MTM2. A little better sound quality is also packed into this game. You can even choose certain weather conditions you'd like to face in the races. So this game lets you customize a lot of your racing action to your own tastes. The same race types are offered in this game (Drag, Circuit, Rally, and Tournament), but there are some new courses for you to race.

Many of the past monster trucks return to MTM2. However, as an interesting bit of promotion, some of the monster trucks featured in this game include various of-the-moment professional wrestler trucks. You could race the "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and Bret "The Hitman" Hart monster trucks, for example.


Let me leave you with some Final Thoughts. Read on, enthused ones...




Monster Truck Madness: Final Thoughts


The Monster Truck Madness series is a fine gaming series as racing games were becoming more complex and better looking than in times past. While I am not into monster trucks much, this is a great off-road racing game series. MTM and MTM2 represent two quality arcade racing games each with charming personality. Today's off-road racing thrills can be had mostly with the DiRT series, but Monster Truck Madness delivers incredible action. These are not bad games to add to your collection of games.


Video Previews.

Want to see the two games in action? Well, here is your chance! Take a look:


^ Monster Truck Madness [1996]


^ Monster Truck Madness 2 - Farm Road 29


I was going to show you where you could get this game online, but I unfortunately am unable to do so here. I'm sorry. You are sadly on your own to try to buy either or both games online.





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