Summary Uninspiring and strange

Pros: The sensation of speed is the best thing in this game. I also enjoyed in chicanes that your co-driver says which turns comes first, e.g. "chicane, left-right". He says the corner in good time to react and steer. Several countries in three different classes may give this a bit longer lifespan. I like racing games that are more arcade-like than sim-like, meaning some hard bumps can be taken w/o totalling the car. Brakes work very quickly so only a little clicking is needed, even for sharp turns.
Cons: All tests in driving school drive you nuts instead of being a tutorial. Hit a cone or a barrel and you have to restart it. First it take a while when braking, then you come to a sudden halt. (Luckily not in championship). It's not bad and its not good , "Plain" is written all over the game - graphics, the excited co-driver and gameplay. Sometimes you can drive 20 yards outside the track (and continuing) and sometimes, a foot outside resets the car immidiately on track. Sometimes steering is good and sometimes it isn't.

Reviewer's Comments

I wanted to hate it, because of the driving school, but I just can't. I wanted to love it, but w/ stage names like "England 1-2-3-4", I get no familiar feeling as in Colinseries "Clyvedog" or whatever stage name. Probably I will get the last cars w/ codes, since it's just too uninspiring. It does its job, but have not a single original thing (except telling which turn comes first in chicanes).
Buy Rally Championship if you only have a gamecube or go for the Colinseries (other consoles) but let this rest in peace. Total: 3 of 5 - as grey as it gets.