Barbie: Race & Ride (PS1) Gameplay
195People sometimes ask me what the greatest PS1 game ever made is, and if I had to choose one, I'd say it is hands-down Barbie Race & Ride. Forget metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Resident Evil, and any other games people name in the running, Barbie Race & Ride is a riveting thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
The game weaves an intricate plot of deception, and deceit. You are take the reigns (pun intended) of Barbie who is charged with the task of exploring a massive world via horseback. You think Ocarina of Time did it better, then think again. Each level is in Barbie Race & Ride is masterfully designed and accents the core gameplay well. Shigeru Miyamoto needs to take notes on design elements of BR&R.
intricately weaved into the levels are hidden areas to explore, and mini games to play. You's think the constant interruptions to the main quest to explore said areas (usually involving looking at sea turtles, or some other animal), or to play the mini games (some as riveting as finding a pearl in a clam shell) would be a distraction, but they are done so well that the constant interruptions to your quest are welcome, because you're constantly surprised on what the designers, and Barbie will throw your way.
The racing elements in the game are tense due to the masterfully programmed AI, and will leave you sweating, and possibly make you crap your pants (I know i pinched one off just playing this footage), and the control is tight, and superbly responsive.
The graphics in the game push the PS1 beyond it's limits, and even put to shame games like Supreme Warrior, and Night rap. The vivid worlds are so lifelike, you'll swear you can feel the sea breeze running through Barbie's hair. If you thought the graphics in Final Fantasy VII, and Metal Gear Solid were the best the PS1 had to offer, I urge you to think again.
Bottom Line: Barbie Race & Ride is no only the greatest PS1 game ever made, it's possibly the greatest game of all time. If you have a PS1 this needs to be in your collection, hell, even if you don't have a PS1, you need to buy one to play this game. It really is that good. Forget halo, Forget Call of Duty, and forget any other game ever made, Barbie Race & Ride beats them all (the only thing close is Sesame Street: Elmo's Letter Adventure).
NOTE: This is another one I got in a massive Ebay lot of games, and will probably never be able to resell it. Oddly enough this game was developed by the company that ported Soldier of Fortune to the Dreamcast. I'm not sure how you go from Barbie to the insane Gore-fest that is SoF. Granted, games like Barbie Race & Ride do promote obscene violence.
NOTE NUMBER 2: This is a joke, this game is actually pretty annoying and bad. No wonder girl gamers play the same games as we guy gamers, because the majority of games made with girls in mind were crap.