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Oh so fun! But...
I was amazed with all of the fun I was having when I started playing Gripshift. Most handheld systems don't have beautiful graphics, aside from this and the Nintendo Ds or lite.

I was getting pretty good at it, yet I kept on losing. I decided to go to the next level. That's another great thing about this game: you don't have to be stuck on one level forever.

This game gives you some creative control. Choosing your car, driver etc. and I have always enjoyed that.

With each level there is a new track and a new place. For instance, you could be in a snowy mountain in one and a desert in the next. I really like the variation, even though some of the levels are claimed to be different but look exactly the same, but that's not such a big deal.

As I said before, this game was and is a lot of fun. It can be quite frustrating, especially if you're just getting used to the PSP controls. I wouldn't recommend it to beginners. Just get used to the controls first, and you'll have a good handle of the game after that. Also, it can get boring after awhile, because car racing can't always hold everyone's attention for an extremely long expanse of time, especially if you keep losing.

Anyway, I would say buy this game after you've had other PSP gaming experience first.

awesome game
awesome game!! u can make ur own tracks and race on them!!! cool graphics! fun mini games like bowling and playground and pool! cool racing tracks! its soo fun! im going to go play it now!

Not horrible, but not great either
I bought this game based on many of the positive reviews on Amazon. I was disappointed with it after a while, however, and would like to share my experience with other buyers.

First, I love my PSP. I also have a Nintendo DS, and the PSP is better in almost every way. I love car racing/combat games, so I was eager to try GripShift.

After playing for several hours, I got pretty bored. There is just not enough variety in the tracks or head to head action with computer or human opponents to keep my attention. The tracks are all pretty short (until you get deep into the game) and they start to get pretty difficult, but the increasing challenge is NOT matched with an increase in complexity or interestingness of the tracks. Basically, after the first 4 of 5 tracks, it's pretty much the same thing over and over.

The upside is that the driving is fun and controls are easy to learn but tough to master, so there is some fun in driving more and more because you get better and better. Another upside of the game is that tracks are 3D, and you can fly off jumps and float over the track, which adds another interesting dimension to things.

Personally, I prefer the MarioKart series for the Gameboy (the DS version of the game is pretty awesome), Twisted Metal for the PSP (if you like combat driving) or GTAIII for the PSP. All of those titles give you some behind-the-wheel excitement that doesn't get as dull due to the ever-changing combat scenarios, more interesting tracks, or in the case of GTAIII, the fun of splattering pedestrians as you drive.

Perhaps its fair to say that this game is by no means horrible, but for sure it's not my style.

One of the best game ever
This game is pretty cool, but don't fall over the side! You can choose your vehicle and your character. I recommend this game for kids 6 and older.

A genre-busting blast for any gamer
Presentation - 4.5
Colourful, funky, slick - the production values are high, and the game is attractive.

Graphics - 4.0
This is a pretty game. I'm not entirely sure what the PSP is capable of, but I'm pretty happy with what I'm seeing. Frame-rates are solid.

Sound - 4.0
Compulsive beats, and good effects - neither annoy me either, which in a game where you hear both often is a major bonus. I've a low tolerance for that. I'd say the whole sound package is solid.

Gameplay - 5
Innovative, fun, challenging - gameplay is the core strength of this title. I've found the levels encourage lateral thinking, and the insane physics allow this full rein. This game is great to pick up and play for any duration, be it thirty seconds or three hours.

Lasting Appeal - 5
Not only are there multiple goals on each of the levels that come with the game, which will give you hours of absorbing play, and a fair number of levels and worlds, which keep it fresh, but there's unlimited potential here in the form of the trackbuilder; you can build your own insane stunt tracks and confound your friends.

OVERALL 5

I'm not a driving game fan, being more into puzzle and platform titles on console, so you might not think this game should really be my cup of tea, but it's one of those wonderful genre-busters that comes along so rarely. It doesn't really matter what sort of games you usually buy; odds are you'll like Gripshift.

It was developed by Sidhe in New Zealand, a studio that doesn't get enough press outside of Australasia, and I think with this title they've really made their mark in terms of the quality of games coming out of the region.

The game is slick, fun, and perfectly suited to the pick up/put down aspect of PSP, as well as prolonged play. The production values, innovation, and polish of Gripshift are high, and it's genuinely addictive, as well as being stupidly cheap.

Gripshift has a powerful map editor, which extends gameplay into infinity, and even if it were priced up there with the dearest PSP titles out there it'd be a bargain. I'd consider Gripshift a must-have for any PSP library.

You'll find yourself replaying levels to reach all the goals available, and the zero load-time between attempts puts a smile on your dial, and on top of that even the initial loads are very short.

The game has good sound, great levels, good art, and brilliant design, forcing some lateral thinking (and driving), and keeping interest piqued with its platformer/puzzler elements. This game has a long life and solid replay value.

This is in my top three for PSP. Buy it.