Test Drive 6

Last updated
Test Drive 6
Test Drive 6.jpg
PAL cover art featuring the 1999 Dodge Viper GTS
Developer(s) Pitbull Syndicate
Xantera (Game Boy Color)
Publisher(s)
Series Test Drive
Platform(s) PlayStation, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Dreamcast
ReleasePlayStation
Game Boy Color
  • NA: 16 November 1999
  • UK: 13 October 2000 [3]
Windows
  • NA: 17 November 1999
  • EU: 15 March 2000
Dreamcast
  • NA: 21 December 1999 [4]
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Test Drive 6 is a racing video game developed by Pitbull Syndicate for PlayStation, Microsoft Windows and Dreamcast. In the United States the game was published by Infogrames North America, while in Europe the game was published by Cryo Interactive. [5] The game featured 37 licensed cars, plus four police car variants. As a first for the series, cars from General Motors are not playable in this game, instead they appear as traffic cars. The soundtrack featured industrial rock and techno music from artists such as Fear Factory, Lunatic Calm and Cirrus.

Contents

A Game Boy Color version was developed by Xantera, a small developer that also developed other Test Drive titles for the handheld. [6]

As of 2019, the PC version of the game has compatibility issues preventing it from being played properly on modern computers. The game's soundtrack no longer plays due to the removal of Windows' CD audio compatibility for games. The installer does not work on Windows Vista and newer, necessitating a drag-and-drop install. Use of the dgvoodoo wrapper allows the game to be played somewhat accurately on newer systems, though music is still missing.

Gameplay

Test Drive 6 is an arcade racing game similar to previous titles in the series. The game features Single Race, "Race Menu" (career) mode and a splitscreen multiplayer mode.

Single race allows players to choose a car and track and play it without any of the requirements or repercussions of career mode. Likewise, this mode has a small selection of cars from all classes available even if the player has not unlocked or purchased them in Race Menu.

The Race Menu career mode allows the player to purchase a vehicle from the Tier 1 dealership and provides them with tournaments to race in, limited by tier. The player wagers in-game currency on each race in the tournament and can receive an extra bonus payout for overall finishing position. Tournaments increase in length, difficulty and payout amounts by tier. The mode also features Stop The Racers and Stop The Bomber modes wherein the player drives a police car in pursuits.

Game Boy version

Test Drive 6 was released on a black cartridge for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. The handheld version of the game is a RC Pro Am clone. It features a limited selection of licensed vehicles from the main game and tracks named after real world cities. A sequel was released exclusively for the Game Boy Color in 2000, called Test Drive 2001 .

Reception

Test Drive 6 received "mixed" reviews on all platforms except the PC version, which received "unfavourable" reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. [7] [8] [9] [10]

The writers of IGN gave many different opinions to each of the game's system releases. First, David Zdyrko said of the PlayStation version: "After six tries, they still haven't gotten it right." [32] Arun Devidas said of the PC version: "It's not the best racer in town, but Test Drive 6 still has a few redeeming qualities." [31] Craig Harris said of the Game Boy Color version: "Cruising along city streets in real cars should be more fun than this Game Boy racing title." [30] Matt White said of the Dreamcast version: "Infogrames struts their stuff, showing us that they have what it takes to slaughter an innocent game." [29] Jeff Nash of The Electric Playground gave the same Dreamcast version six out of ten, saying that it "offers some cheap thrills with its arcade racing style that may satisfy racers for a short time, but its lack of challenge, technical shortcomings, and unnecessary racing sim qualities make this game only worthy of renting." [39] Nick McElveen of Computer Games Strategy Plus gave the PC version two-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "While it is not as good as the last two Need for Speeds, Test Drive 6 nevertheless succeeds to some extent at being an enjoyable arcade-style driving game that gets the heart racing, so to speak." [40]

Matt Sammons of NextGen said of the same Dreamcast version: "This strange mix of bumper cars and sports cars is stunningly mediocre. Test before driving." [33]

In one review, Lamchop of GamePro said that the PlayStation version "offers a sweet sampling of exotic cars that you'll probably never own, but it has some stiff competition. Unless you're a hardcore driving nut, this game will eventually take a back seat to Gran Turismo and Need for Speed: High Stakes ." [41] [lower-alpha 3] In another review, iBot said of the same console version: "With all the race games out, picking a game has become very tough. Test Drive 6 packs all of the features you'll want, but it doesn't hold up graphically. If you are a hi-res graphics snob, you might just want to hold out for the Dreamcast version of TD6." [42] [lower-alpha 4] Dr. Zombie said in one review that the Dreamcast version "will satisfy your need for speed—and for entertainment. The excellent graphics and gameplay, plus the wide assortment of vehicles, tracks, and game modes ensure there's something for racers of all calibers. Don't just Test Drive this hot ride—this game merits a down payment." [43] [lower-alpha 5] However, Uncle Dust said of the same console version in another review: "Without breathtaking visuals, but with control problems, Test Drive 6 is not poised to be the leader of the Dreamcast racing pack, and the system desperately needs a good racer. Dreamcast owners should keep holding out for the next big racing title." [44] [lower-alpha 6]

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly 's review of the Dreamcast version, one critic gave it 3/10, two others gave it each a score of 4/10, and the other gave it 5.5/10.
  2. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 5.5/10, and another gave it 6.5/10.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 3/5 for graphics, two 4/5 scores for sound and control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor in one review.
  4. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 3/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, and two 4/5 scores for control and fun factor in another review.
  5. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version two 5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, and two 4.5/5 scores for sound and control in one review.
  6. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4/5 for graphics, and three 3.5/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor in another review.

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References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (10 November 1999). "Take the Test Drive all Over Again". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  2. ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (30 June 2000). "New UK releases". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
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  5. ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (2 February 2000). "Cryo to publish Test Drive 6". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "The Incredible Game Boy". Xantera. Archived from the original on 7 February 2004. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Test Drive 6 for Dreamcast". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
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  11. ↑ Licata, Jonathan. "Test Drive 6 (DC) - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
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  14. ↑ Kanarick, Mark. "Test Drive 6 (PS) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
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  16. ↑ Williamson, Colin (27 January 2000). "Test Drive 6 (PC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  17. ↑ Chick, Tom (15 December 1999). "Test Drive 6 (PS)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
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  19. ↑ Davison, John; Hager, Dean; Smith, Shawn; Chou, Che (February 2000). "Test Drive 6 (DC)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 127. Ziff Davis. p. 175. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
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  21. ↑ Hager, Dean; Smith, Shawn; Johnston, Chris; Chou, Che (January 2000). "Test Drive 6 (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 126. Ziff Davis. p. 232. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  22. ↑ "Test Drive 6 (DC)". Game Informer . No. 82. FuncoLand. February 2000.
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  31. 1 2 Devidas, Arun (14 December 1999). "Test Drive 6 (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  32. 1 2 Zdyrko, David (22 November 1999). "Test Drive 6 (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  33. 1 2 Sammons, Matt (March 2000). "Test Drive 6 (DC)". NextGen . No. 63. Imagine Media. p. 88. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
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  44. ↑ Uncle Dust (2000). "Test Drive 6 Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on 22 November 2004. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
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