TOCA Race Driver 3 (2D)

There are few things more satisfying to the petrolhead than the sense of speed and the pursuit of victory in a racing game, particularly as most of us aren't financially well-endowed enough to take part in the real thing. Beating computerised opponents with your incredible driving skills puts you up there on the podium with the likes of Michael Schumacher, Colin McRae and Penelope Pitstop. Though their styles may vary, tactics differ, and the tricks up their sleeves range from the disgraceful to the outrageous, in their hearts they – and you – know that only winning matters.

TOCA Race Driver 3 (2D) enables you to take part in such a contest, either in a World Tour mode for a once-around-the-globe tour or, alternatively, a Career mode where you create a virtual self to become a top-flight racing driver.

Whatever option you plump for, the action takes place on some of the best known courses from around the world, including Laguna Seca Raceway and Hockenheim. The more successful you are in either mode, the more points you win, the more cars you unlock, and the more circuits that become available for you to race on.

While each track has a different character, however, there's little variation in appearance. We may be spoiled these days with super-realistic graphics, but TOCA Racing Driver 3 (2D) harks back to an older tradition. The cars and backgrounds scroll along like big wedges of cheese slowly finding their rightful place on screen – a view that may be totally alien to younger players raised on the beautiful textures and 3D styling of Gran Turismo or Project Gotham Racer. Give this 2D outing a chance, however, and you'll soon look past the visual deficiencies.

As for the driving, this 2D version of TOCA Race Driver 3 looks and plays very much like an old-fashioned racer, with no analogue controls or complicated engine-tuning involved. If you press left, you go left, and even the acceleration can be set to automatic, so all you have to do is point your car at the corners and enjoy yourself: it's beautifully simple.

TOCA Racing Driver 3 (2D) is not without the odd crunch of gears. The pace isn't frenetic and there's no feeling of the wind running through your hair, or any edge-of-the-seat sensations as you overtake on a blind bend. If you crave speed like a baby does attention, it's best to look elsewhere.

What TOCA Racing Driver 3 (2D) does provide though is an unrivalled sense of competition. If you want close, hard racing, that's what you get. For a sense of realism, you'll have to play TOCA Racing Driver 3 (2D) sitting in front of a fan.