Street Cred:

Street racing returns to the home of the automobile in Midnight Club III—the exotic locales of the past Club games give way to all-American competition in cities such as Detroit and San Diego. Of course, don’t expect traditional racetracks, since the action here takes place on rain-slick streets, down narrow alleyways, and even through buildings (smashing through a store’s display window makes for a great shortcut).

Tricked Out:

In order to offer legit street-tuning culture, Rockstar has hooked up with Dub magazine, the bible for street-racing enthusiasts. Dub’s experts impart the game’s rides with proper flavor—now, that Hummer with 22-inch spinning rims, ass-shaking hydraulics, and three-tone prismatic paint job can finally be yours.

Penchant for Lawlessness:

Illegality runs rampant here, but luckily, the police have trouble catching überspeedy roadsters hellbent on victory.

Hoochie Quotient:

Rockstar claims to be downplaying the importance of characters in this third Club, so don’t expect throngs of chicas flocking to your ride. Pity.

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Electronic Gaming Monthly.