02.01.99
For some, NASCAR and it's left-turn format make the ultimate race experience. But for those who crave variety in their racing games, those kinds of monotonous brain-numbing exercises just won't do. Some racing fans need a little of the unknown. Some racing fans need a little danger.

That's why there are games like V-Rally Edition '99 (VRE '99) from Infogrames for the Nintendo 64. Like any good rally-style game, races take place on roads any normal person might encounter while out on a relaxing drive. Of course, in VRE '99 you get to drive a lot faster without regard for human life. There aren't always guard rails and you won't always know exactly what way the road is going to curve or what may lie around the bend. However, in VRE '99, you can drive with a co-pilot who calls out the turns as they come, but that feature can be turned off.

In all, there are 50 courses located in eight different areas -- Indonesia, Corsica, Spain, England, Sweden, The Alps, New Zealand, and a Safari Trek. The tracks sport decent distance and a variety of turns to keep you on your toes. To start, there are 11 cars to choose from, but you can unlock four more. The cars are from an assortment of manufacturers including Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Citroen, and Hyundai. Each car can be customized according to gear ratio, suspension, transmission, and control. However, if you don't like messing with that stuff, the computer recommends a setup for each individual track before the beginning of each race.

Other features of VRE '99 include variable weather, three modes (Arcade, Training, and Championship), three difficulties, and 2-player split-screen (horizontal and vertical). Look for VRE '99 near the end of April.