Vigilante 8 - 2nd Offense [Model NUS-NVGE-USA]

Vigilante 8 - 2nd Offense © 2000 Activision, Incorporated.

Sound your barbaric disco yawp over the rooftops of the world.

The original Vigilante 8 for N64 oozed 70s nostalgia and burst at the seams with great multiplayer gaming. Second Offense offers more of the same, with a healthy supply of new features and options to keep things interesting.

It was 1975 when the Vigilantes finally defeated Slick Clyde and his Coyote gang. Thirty years later and still burnin' mad, the chief Coyote gets his claws on a time machine. Slick Clyde decides to travel back in time to the 1970s, two years before the Vigilantes handed him a humiliating defeat in the first game.

Of course, Clyde takes advantage of this situation and brings with him enough high-powered futuristic weapons to give the Coyotes a major advantage. Activision takes full advantage of this premise as well, producing a great mix of characters and themes from the 1970s and the next millennium.

Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense features a total of 18 fully loaded vehicles and maladjusted drivers. Eight of the characters appeared in the original V8, and the other 10 are all-new drivers. Some of the new characters are from the 1970s, while others are futuristic warriors snagged from the year 2005 by Slick Clyde.

The heart of the gaming experience --blow up everything-- has not changed on jot. Activision has added more depth to the game, though, with detailed objectives for players to perform in each level. The missions change depending on the driver, so there are quite a few ways to play through the game.

In addition to new weapons and special attacks, vehicle-morphing power-ups are now available in each level. Special treads provide a better grip in the snow, and a propeller power-up allows any car to cruise across the water. Some areas can only be accessed through the use of these new tools.

One of the more rewarding features in 2nd Offense is the ability to build up the statistics of your car. After totaling a competitor, points can be collected which permanently beef up your ride. Save your data to a Controller Pak and you're ready to pummel your friends no matter where you play.

By far, the best way to enjoy Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense is with a group of friends. Four players can compete in three deathmatch modes, or two players can cooperatively work through the game's Quest Mode.

Activision hasn't ignored the single-player game, which is more rewarding than ever thanks to the ability to build up vehicle stats. For players who don't have the patience to work through 18 different quests, an Arcade Mode is in place for no-brainer bashing.

Second Offense features great vehicle graphics and special effects, but unfortunately frequent pop-up damages the visual appeal. The play control reacts well in all of the environments, although you should be prepared for a tough time behind the wheel when you pick up the hover power-up.

Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense is packed with surprises and a healthy dose of 70s-style humor. Like its predecessor, a focus on fun-filled four-player gaming will make this Pak a party favorite.