Bump 'n' Jump

This is one of my favorite racing games of all time and another video game on my birth year, I played the NES version before the arcade version. Personally, I like the NES version the best as there are more unique tracks, variety and better music and even some power up. But still it's fun playing both versions just to see their differences and how well they play.

Not a whole lot to this like in most racing games you just trying to race to the finish. Though this one is more of an endurance and survival game as there are no place rankings, you're really trying to get to the finish in one piece. What makes this racing game stand out is the fact you get to play dirty, which I thought was cool and a unique concept at the time. To not be restricted by any rules and win the race at all costs.

You could also say it was a way to vent some steam as any of use that have drived has suffered some of the roadway blues and frustration were forced to put up with, like some road hogs, speeders, joyriders, automotive pranksters, or plain blowholes that act like they own the road, or even just simply the typical obstacles traffic jams which at times can make you mad at yourself for not taking another route. This game sort of gives us a bit of that wishful fillment where we get to bump off any jerks on the road as well as destroy them; as well as getting over the typical obstacles on the road.

Though also this is for anyone that always like bumper cars as well as go karts, and I've always loved both of those. Just getting on those bumper cars and just zeroing in on whoever is in your path and giving them the bump. As well as going on the go karts, getting the freedom to go as fast as you want and trying to brush past anyone one else you race. In a way this game is sort of a combo of both those things and it's a strange but beautiful combo.

As you earn points from how long you drive, you can earn even more by bumping off vehicles and destroying them. You're also doing this defensively as their going to try doing the same to you, so it's either you better kick their butt off the road before they do. Each of the vehicles you bump off are unique as each have varied strength, which make them dangerous as some are harder to bump off the road than others and some of the vehicles will employ some dirty tricks like oil slick puddles.

And of course, there is the jump function which I always thought was awesome, I thought it was really cool getting to jump like KITT from "Knight Rider" yeah, I'm a fan of that show. I really like how well it's animated as you jump you see an enlargement effect for your car which really helps in creating the illusion in going upwards in the air.

But also, I just really love the sound of the jump which is just music to my ears. This jump function has many uses from getting past cars in your way, those long jump obstacles in which there is a warning light that comes on so you'll have time to prepare your jump, but also it's another way to kill cars by just landing on them and they'll explode.

The games operates on the physics of speed and momentum, as you go really fast you make a strong bump or even a longer and more powerful jumps. But there are a couple of catches, after your jump and bump you lose a certain amount of speed and it takes a while to build it back up again, so pick jumps and bumps carefully. Also, as you are driving you have a fuel gauge running so while you on the road you better pay attention and look for any fuel canisters on the road because once that gauge reaches empty, it's pretty much game over.

So, if you're into vintage racing games this game is worth a test drive, it bumps hard and jumps the distance for fun.

Rating: 3 and a half stars