Total Drivin

Did You Know?

• The developers created a zoom-capable, 360 degree camera as a programming tool, then left it in so players could look over track landscapes while the game is paused.
• The game's North American publisher, Activision, acquired a Car and Driver sponsorship, leading to 'Car and Driver Presents' being added to the title in that region.
• Total Drivin supports multiplayer via both split screen and the PlayStation Link Cable.

Reception

The game earned generally favorable reviews. When Atlus brought it to Japan in 1998, Famitsu rated it 23 out of 40. Edge admired how it blended simulation realism with arcade flair, but many critics felt its attempt to cover every racing style made it a jack-of-all-trades that mastered none, resulting in an uneven experience. Next Generation called the concept nice but poorly executed and integrated, dismissing it as more of a gimmick. Both Next Generation and IGN noted that most tracks were too simple, while the buggy courses had punishingly difficult handling, creating a lopsided challenge. Sound effects drew split opinions: some reviewers found them realistic, others compared the engine noises to motorcycles or blenders. Graphics were also divisive, with praise for minimal pop-up but criticism for grainy bitmaps. A few reviewers highlighted the aggressive AI, which would cut off players or shove them into walls on curves. Electronic Gaming Monthly's Kraig Kujawa said the game's depth offered something for everyone despite its rough spots, and Dean Hager agreed that the good outweighed the bad. Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine's Gary Mollohan liked the vehicle variety and large tracks, where a single lap could take four minutes, but he criticized the odd car physics and unconventional controls. IGN also found the steering oversensitive. GameSpot's Jeff Gerstmann called the controls decent but noted they required a long adjustment period due to the unique steering system. GamePro summed it up by saying players would either love or hate using the D-pad with the L and R triggers.