Evel Knievel Review

Evel Knievel is all about precision - knowing when to tap what, how hard, and for how long is integral to making an enjoyable experience out of this game.

Evel Knievel is all about precision - knowing when to tap what, how hard, and for how long is integral to making an enjoyable experience out of this game. Needless to say, the game puts you in the shoes of the immortal Evel Knievel, as he daredevils his way across two continents, including such memorable locales as London and Las Vegas.

The game is of the 2D side-scrolling breed, and the action is similar in feel to that of the classic Excitebike, though without its angled perspective, as there aren't any other motorists on the track. Being all Evel, the game focuses on his execution of tricky stunts (sick rolls and long jumps, mostly), which require Herculean coordination to actually walk away from. The tracks are littered with all manner of obstacles, including ramps to soar off, junked cars to maneuver over, and loops to jump through. The bumpy-grindy nature of the tracks requires you to constantly pay attention to nagging details, such as your bike's level (as you're soaring), velocity, and distance from any obstacles. Yes, the learning curve is extremely steep, especially given the amount of permutations you could apply to your bike's mechanical makeup: Before starting each run, you can tweak your bike's top-speed, acceleration, braking, wheelie-factor, and rotation (which determines whether you'll soar gracefully or spin like a hell-sent shuriken through the air). Because each stage has its ideal makeup, your success depends on how quickly you soak in the crash course. Literally.

The game looks fine, and it features a catchy (if redundant) soundtrack, replete with effects for purring engines and snapping bones. The 25 stages are varied in theme, and their visual representations, at the very least, refer to real-life places and things. There's even a level modeled after Easy Rider. If you don't mind the crippling frustration and rather steep learning curve (and who does, for a handheld game?), Evel Knievel just might be a bit of fun.

The Good

  • N/A

The Bad

About the Author