Sneaking into opponents’ lanes and knocking ’em off their bikes evokes fond memories of Road Rash.After the Xbox 360 and the PS3 each got an exclusive downloadable motorbike simulator, picking the photo-finish winner between Trials HD (2009) and Joe Danger (2010) was a tough decision, made even pricklier given the nature of console-backing fanboys. Now that both racers have entered the same circuit, we’re declaring Danger the winner, as the improvements Hello Games has implemented in Joe Danger: Special Edition put it ahead by a hair.
Though it has the same level of precision and white-knuckle action as Trials, Joe Danger’s brand of racing brings a bit more diversity to the track. Trials kept the focus on completing tracks fast and without errors; Joe Danger, though, adds a batch of variables to make each race unique and often replayable. To earn “Stars” (the game’s currency), you’ll need to perform tasks such as outrunning A.I. competitors, hitting targets along the path, snatching all of the collectibles on the track, or keeping a trick combo going from the starting line to the end of the track. While the original PS3 version didn’t encourage multi-tasking (outside of a Trophy), Joe Danger: Special Edition adds the deviously delightful “Pro Medals,” obtainable only if Joe earns every Star for a track in the same run. Even though the Pro Medals earn their name by requiring stunning runs that mix speed, agility, and precision, Hello Games was smart to save them for levels where the various objectives are better intertwined.
Joe Danger: Special Edition has three Avatar rewards, letting you don Danger’s helmet, jacket, and pants. No pet monkey, though.Joe Danger: Special Edition’s other major addition is a new “Lab” mode, where tracks are laid out a bit differently and the visuals are even more playful than normal. Hello Games really unleashed their creativity here: though the objectives and Star-based progression are pretty much the same as in standard career mode, Lab tracks have far more verticality, and you’ll find more superbly sinister “Death Box” challenges and other creatively-designed obstacle courses.
As much as we like both of the European-developed $15 stunt racers, Joe Danger: Special Edition managed to interest us just a bit more. Both games are fine-tuned to near-perfection, but Joe Danger has slightly more going on under its hood thanks to new gameplay additions and more interesting objectives. It’s also got a nicer paintjob and sound system (read: better visuals and audio), so we have to give the duke to Danger this time around. The real winner, though, is motorcycle-loving gamers — we’ll soon see a rematch between speed demons in the form of sequels Trials Evolution and Joe Danger: The Movie. We can’t wait.
PUBLISHER: Hello Games • DEVELOPER: Hello Games • ESRB: Everyone • MULTIPLAYER: 2 in local split-screen • ACHIEVEMENTS: Occur naturally • COST: 1,200 Microsoft Points ($15)
+ Excellent motorbike physics and multiple-objective races provide immense replay value.
+ Unique art and audio style put Trials HD’s drabness to shame.
– Little method to performing air tricks beyond button-spamming; no online multiplayer.
? Why do we have to return to the menu to jump to the next race?
