ATV: Quad Power Racing 2

Race, fight, jump and pull amazing tricks through snow, sand, dirt and stadiums.

NA release: 22nd January 2003
EU release: 28th February 2003
JP release: N/A
Developer: Climax Brighton
Publisher: AKA Acclaim
NGC Magazine: 70%
Mods Used: Widescreen Code

I wasn’t expecting a whole lot from ATV 2 but ili ended up quite enjoying it. It’s fun, nippy and has quite an amusing soundtrack that oozes early 2000s without using popular bands, but still having the same vibe. It creates a really fun atmosphere, even if the “almost but not quite right” sound of it is a little bit odd. Combined with the speed of quad bikes (shouldn’t they be “quadcycles”?), the cheesiness does work, though.

When it comes to trick-based racing games, you can tell if a game’s systems are enjoyable if you’re performing tricks when you don’t need to. In races, the tricks don’t provide any benefit, yet I had to do them when I could. There’s a “pre-load” mechanic where you have to charge up your trick before a jump and, if you get the timing right, you can spin like crazy. There’s also a kick function which is very satisfying to use, as you can knock opponents off their quad bikes.

The tracks have distinct and fun themes as well, and feel fun to race on, and a few different ways to race on them alongside a stunt mode that features a colossal loop and impressive jumps. ATV: Quad Power Racing 2 does a lot of things by the book, but it does them all well.

Everything is in place for a racing game that might appeal to those who found Wave Race too had and fiddly (this is miles easier). But others, including us, may find the way the vehicles handle like San Francisco Rush in low gravity just a tad off-putting. It’s more than competent, but if you’re after something that takes a firmer grip on your excitement glands, you should give Wave Race another go.
Martin Kitts, NGC Magazine #77

Remake or remaster?

There are plenty of newer ATV games, the best ones were Disney’s Pure series.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no official way to get ATV: Quad Power Racing 2.