SNES Game Review: Top Gear 2

 Top Gear 2 is the sequel to the ultra popular Top Gear on SNES.  A sequel game typically has a lot of things similar to the first game, but also has differences.  The hope is that they can make as good of a game as the original or at the least to not make it horrendous.  Top Gear 2 does have some similarities to its predecessor but also a lot of differences.  Overall, how does it do? Let's look below!

Positives:

1. Variety of courses: Yes the variety is back! not the same courses but a lot of variety is still the name of the game for Top Gear 2 and overall that is a very good thing for the game. 

2. Progression, to an extent: This is something that is different but good to an extent.  You can make your car better over the course of the series of courses you are on by getting top finishes.  You win money and make your car overall better in the long run.

3. Graphics: Graphics on the first game stay together for the sequel as well.  It was a good thing to do and they seem to be on par like the first game so that is always a good thing as well.

4. Password: This is simplistic unlike some Super Nintendo Games. With that said, it's just a one word thing which is good for the amount of courses you have to go through so it's a game that won't typically be a short enough game.

Negatives:

1. The progression has limits: This is the flaw the progression/upgrades, they have a limit.  After a couple to each part, like engine, nitro, tires everything else is gravy.  You don't need the rest and that's pretty much it.  So while it is good, the limitations are evident almost right away.

2. Length of the game: Yeah this one is a detriment, because it takes so long to finish the game.  Personally the races take some time, especially the five lap races.  So be prepared for spending a lot of hours on this which kind of drags it down and apart from its predecessor. 

3. Tires/Fuel/Engine: First the tires squeal insanely loud in this game and it is kind of ridiculous, second the engine sounds about ready to croak most times, and third I think they wanted fuel management to be a part of this game but they fell short on all ends.  Honestly the engine and the tires take away from the background music, which itself was okay in the game.

Overall Rating/Rank

Top Gear 2 is not as good as its predecessor.  I think they tried too hard to make it better but just incorporated a lot of things wrong.  Overall it pales in comparison to the original.  The positives are almost negated by the negatives of the game.  If I were to give an overall rating, 7 out of 10 seems fair.  It's a decent but not great racing game.  Overall rank: Still in the top 200 but I would mark it around 195th.