Jeremy McGrath Supercross '98 is another in a long string of marginal PlayStation racing games. It's not very good, but at the same time, it's not offensively bad either.
Supercross '98 sports seven 3D-rendered indoor and outdoor tracks featuring terrain such as sand, mud, water, gravel, and ice. The racing difficulty is compounded by adverse weather conditions like thunder, rain, and snow. There are the standard championship, single-race, two-player, and ghost modes, plus a track editor, which allows you to make, save, and race your own courses. Surely, every aspect of Supercross '98 is far better than Playmates' similarly themed VMX Racing, but better isn't necessarily good.
Like VMX Racing and even other non-cycle racing titles out there, the game simply fails to immerse the player in the experience. The physics and frame rate don't accomplish what's needed to make you feel like you're racing an actual motorcycle, and the lack of Dual Shock support is really noticed on the off-road tracks where the rumbles could've made a difference.
The game's two-player mode is also very weak, since all the computer-controlled opponents are missing, and it's hard to see where you're going with the split screen stealing half of your view. Continuing the negative streak, the soundtrack is fairly run of the mill, not adding to or taking away from the experience, and the color commentary is composed of over-repeated grating bits like "Look ma! No feet!" and "You rock!"
Meanwhile, the graphics and track editor are Supercross '98's best features. While the visuals are admittedly a little grainy, and the seams tend to show, the consistent lack of pop-up is refreshing. The track editor allows you to customize your own course from a handful of track pieces such as bridges, tunnels, sharp curves, hairpins, and ramps. Unfortunately, it's pretty limited, lacking a great number of pieces to choose from, as well as weather and time of day variables. Still, you can race the computer-controlled bikers or another player on the courses you make, so there's some value there.
In the end, Jeremy McGrath Supercross '98 is a decent game, but one with holes big enough to drive a cycle - with rider - through. If the title had come out several years ago it might've appeared more impressive, but at this point in the game, players expect and deserve a more rounded and deeper experience for their money.
