L.A. Rush - PS2

Also known as: Rush

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L.A. Rush (PS2)
Also for: PC, PSP, Xbox
Viewed: 3D First-person / Third-person Genre:
Racing: Car
Media: DVD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Pitbull Syndicate Soft. Co.: Midway
Publishers: Midway (GB)
Released: 21 Oct 2005 (GB)
Ratings: BBFC PG
Features: Vibration Function Compatible, Analogue Control Compatible: analogue sticks only
Accessories: Memory Card

Summary

The Rush franchise is one of the American publisher Midway’s big names. LA and San Francisco Rush and their spin-offs were big games back in the nineties, and they put you in the driving seats of big muscle cars in which you were invited to pull as many exciting jumps and stunts as you could manage. Of course, this was back when arcade games were still big money spinners, and Rush was definitely an arcade franchise.

These days it’s the home console that can shift the most units, and there’s been a spate of big racing games. In view of this, Midway have dusted off the old Rush name and commissioned north eastern developer the Pitbull Syndicate to create the next in the series.

Media outside the games industry have a lot to answer for when it comes to the recently massively increased output of games featuring the ‘tuning scene’ in some way. Where did it start? Well, first of all an increased availability of after market parts fed the car modding scene. Then this was reflected in the visual media – with films like The Fast and The Furious, and TV programs like Pimp My Ride. The MTV series famously features West Coast Customs, specialists in the tuning, and, indeed, general ‘pimping’ of vehicles, and West Coast Customs feature exclusively in this game.

A storyline sees you playing as West Coast Customs themselves, when they return from holiday to find all their ‘rides’ have been nicked by a rival tuning co. You’d think the procedure when a whole load of one-off distinctive vehicles had been stolen and the culprits were known would be quite simple – just call the police. But you would think that, because you’re not nearly as ‘street’ as the boys, sorry, bwoyees, at WCC. You decide to get your fat whips back by stealing them, winning them in races, or building the cars up from scratch again.

The game features real cars, from wallowy American lumps like Chevies, ‘lacs and Dodges, to more refined cars from Europe and Japan, such as the Lotus Elise 111, and, most notably, a selection of vehicles from the most revered car manufacturer or all, the Nissan Motor Company, including the legendary Skyline GT-R and S15. There are some funny little trollies from those wannabes at Mitsubishi, too. If you’ve not bought a car tuning game yet, then this is the latest one so you could consider it.

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Credits

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