Monster 4x4: World Circuit Review

By Oli Welsh Published 19 December, 2006

What's that coming over the hill?

Version tested: Wii

Ubisoft really does have the most massive crush on the Wii. Nintendo's demure little debutante certainly has its suitors - EA, Activision and SEGA, to name some names - but they've mostly chosen to play it cool, sidling up to the virginal young console and offering it some idle chit-chat, dropping a franchise name or two. Not so the lovestruck Gallic publisher. Unreserved as ever, Ubisoft is capering and fawning around the Wii like an obsequious courtier, opening doors, pulling out chairs, producing bouquets of flowers from behind its back, and generally throwing its oversized seven-game greatcoat down in the muddy puddle of launch week.

"You're short an original, mature-themed franchise, you say? Here's a little something I prepared earlier. Your own platforming icon's running a little late? Why, take mine! You need some stealth and shooting? I've got more than I can use - think nothing of it. And some racing games? Oh..."

(Rummages in pockets)

"Er, give me just a minute..."

(Embarrassed laughter)

"Now where did I put those things?"

(Blushes deeply)

"Will these do?"

'Monster 4x4: World Circuit' Screenshot truck

The truck models are fun, and can be customised with unlockable decals; some are much more driveable than others though.

By its own admission, Ubisoft's racing stable was never of the highest pedigree. And so the best it can manage for its new sweetheart is Monster 4x4: World Circuit, a port of an Xbox arcade racer so undistinguished it was only released in the US (where nobody noticed it anyway), as well as the supposedly more serious GT Pro Series, of which more later in the week. They both come bundled with a small 'steering wheel' in black plastic which clips around the laterally-held Wii remote, giving it a bit more heft and a more solid grip. It's a surprisingly well-made add-on, but ultimately pointless, and in the long run the extra weight makes the remote more tiring to use.

Monster 4x4 is a straightforward caper around a series of thunderously unsurprising jump- and hazard-laden tracks in unrealistically fast, ridiculously styled monster trucks (mini, school bus, fire engine, A-team van etc.). Nitro boosts are available either as instant pickups, by performing stunts, or from your rechargeable nitro reserves - the latter triggered amusingly, if a little haphazardly, by thrusting the remote towards the screen. Weapons come in the form of homing barrels that appear on the track and can be punted at trucks in front, whereupon they explode in a variety of different horrible colours, but always with exactly the same effect (slowing opponents down a bit).

It's all thoroughly predictable; a little part of you dies every time you skid boringly across an oil slick, or smash tediously through some balsa-wood trackside furniture. The basic but cheerfully bouncy physics ease the banality a little, as does the gesture stunt system; mid-air 360s, barrel rolls, somersaults and others are performed by moving the remote in quick circular motions when you hit a ramp. The more precise your motion, the better the speed boost and the point reward; not rocket science but a neat touch nonetheless. Points aren't needed to win, but tot up towards upgrades for your trucks.

'Monster 4x4: World Circuit' Screenshot ambulance

Gives a new meaning to the term 'ambulance chaser'.

The only surprising thing about Monster 4x4 is how little it does wrong. It's a game so unadventurous, so thorough in its mediocrity that it's just as hard to fault as it is to be impressed by. The graphics are crude and ugly, but consistent, colourful and fast. The gamey hard rock muzak is tinny, but the engine sounds have a meaty throb. The track design is profoundly uninspired, but completely unbroken. The motion control feels a little unresponsive, but never actually lets you down. The four-player split-screen mode could use some extra slots for AI racers but serves up a close, knockabout race all the same. The multiplayer mini-games - football, vehicle ball, a basic arena combat sort of thing - are absurdly underdeveloped, but will provide a few laughs for a few goes. It's sort of, you know, fun. A bit.

If Monster 4x4 were a budget release - and if the extremely similar, inevitably superior Excite Truck wasn't around the corner - you might not even hate yourself if you'd come home with it. These are the Wii's launch days after all, the lean times, when the novelty of a new console (not even taking the controls into account) can give almost any game a temporary sheen of excitement. But beware. After a jovial couple of hours in its company the scales will fall, and what had just seemed an unpretentious, unassumingly enjoyable videogame becomes a kind of existential nightmare of averageness that it's impossible to play for a minute longer. Monster 4x4: World Circuit is the definition of the lowest common denominator.

Poor Ubisoft. Such a demanding new belle, she wanted so much, and there was so little time. Better luck next time, eh?

4 / 10

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Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (49) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • caligari #1 5 years ago

    Yay!

  • Xerx3s #2 5 years ago

    Oh dear.

  • JSD124 #3 5 years ago

    When will Wii get a decent racing game?

  • Eighthours #4 5 years ago

    Aside from Rayman, it looks like all of Ubi's Cube early releases are very disappointing.

  • #5 5 years ago

    Ubi are milking the cash cow of the wii.

  • Blerk #6 5 years ago

    Ubi's "massive crush on the Wii" appears to stem from the fact that they can quite happily produce tons of cheap crap and still somehow manage to sell it. o_O

  • AcidSnake #7 5 years ago

    Bunch of flowers!

  • Genji #8 5 years ago

    I remember the good old days, when Ubisoft made great games.

    Ahh, memories.

  • Darren #9 5 years ago

    @Blerk - Quite!

    With the exception of the not-too-bad Rayman Raving Rabbids, Ubi Soft are certainly churning out some rubbish for the Wii... :?

  • northernlights #10 5 years ago

    Wii launch titles getting really low ratings so far

  • Dizzy #11 5 years ago

    This stream of crap Wii titles could damage the reputation of the console.

  • Tonka #12 5 years ago

    Oh dear oh dear.
    /checks the weather
    /SUN!!!

  • MadMirko #13 5 years ago

    Wii launch titles getting really low ratings so far

    But they are also getting really good ratings (also depends on who you ask, Famitsu gave this a 28/40, which is only slightler below the PS3 Motorstorm with 30/40, f.ex.). That is also really typical of any launch. Look at the EDGE ratings for the PS3 launch:

    Genji (PS3, Sony): 5
    Ridge Racer 7 (PS3, Sony): 6
    Resistance Fall of Man (PS3, Sony): 7

    Difference? Fewer games, more expensive. :) (okok, I only said that to be an ass)
    Edited by 1 at 19/12/06 @ 12:04

  • Tomo #14 5 years ago

    Red Steel is great. Haters be gone.

  • Muddtallica #15 5 years ago

    Well, this (and much of the Wii launch lineup, really) does help to shoot down one misconception that developers seem to have - despite cursory visual similarities, the Wii Remote is NOT a magic wand that will somehow make your mediocre/awful game good. Especially when you put in as little effort as this game seems to.

  • Darren #16 5 years ago

    More bad news I'm afraid, courtesy of C&VG... apparently according to a *reliable* source, Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3 won't be out until Christmas 2007. :(

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    I really hope that isn't true otherwise my poor old Wii isn't going to seeing much in the way of Wii games once I've completed the incredibly addictive Zelda: Twilight Princess. I checked my Gameplay account and noticed that Elebits has been delayed until March too.

    *sigh*

    It looks like being the Xbox 360 games drought all over again... :(

  • SBfistfun #17 5 years ago

    wii is the new shite

  • MadMirko #18 5 years ago

    It looks like being the Xbox 360 games drought all over again...

    It's not that bad. In January you get Wario Ware (12th January), in February Excite Truck (16th February), in March there is Tiger Woods and the Dragonball game, in the general "first quarter" there are some titles interesting to me, like Tennis Masters.

    Actually, there is quite a lot comming out early next year, nearly as much as for the DS.

  • JSD124 #19 5 years ago

    The Wii launch is not that bad, one or two decent 3rd party games at launch is actually quite impressive when you look at other launches, and actually encouraging when you look at the GC and N64 launches.

    Also, the more 3rd parties that throw games at it, the more likely some of them will be good (Like PS1/2, they had many good games, but a heckload of stinkers as well).

  • king_skins #20 5 years ago

    its your mother

    edit: coming over the hill...
    Edited by 2 at 19/12/06 @ 12:52

  • kissthestick #21 5 years ago

    Oh Ubi Soft.....when will you learn

  • Lawlost #22 5 years ago

    There is a small part of me that is quite relieved that I didn't get a wii at launch. Perhaps it is a time to ignore the hype sit back and patiently wait..........

  • Garulon #23 5 years ago

    "There is a small part of me that is quite relieved that I didn't get a wii at launch. "

    Me too. I guess that's why the batteries aren't rechargable, eh?

  • TheDifficult3rdAlbum #24 5 years ago

    Blimey - I've been hoping to get a Wii but when you think about it...What games are actually worth getting after the novelty of Wii Sports wears off?

  • Psi #25 5 years ago

    ninty need to push more titles out....

  • chupachups #26 5 years ago

    "ninty need to push more titles out...."

    I think they just need to push higher quality titles out.

    More games or rushed games just lead to disappointment and disillusion with the whole system.

    It's tempting to think that the more games the better, but it just isn't true. Java phones probably have more games than any console, but 99% of them are total crap.


    "the Wii Remote is NOT a magic wand that will somehow make your mediocre/awful game good."

    Of course, no technology is ever a substitute for good game design. That's just as true of controllers as it is of graphics.
    Edited by 2 at 19/12/06 @ 13:30

  • ST.. #27 5 years ago

    The Wii launch lineup from Ubisoft has been utterly atrocious; didn't Nintendo once have strict quality control? You can end up damaging the perception of a console with dreck like this served up alongside it.

  • glaeken #28 5 years ago

    Maybe drek like this will go down well with all those non-gamers that are said to be buying the Wii?

    That was my thinking when reading the review about how mediocre but ultimately solidly designed this game was. Maybe this is exactly what is required for all the non gamers.

  • spongebob #29 5 years ago

    Bo! No need to cry. Launch lineups are always full of rushed games like this. I don't think even Ubi had high hopes for the title. And they probably didn't even do AAA job when developing it.

  • J*C #30 5 years ago

    When will Wii get a decent racing game?

    When will the wii get a decent game? (Not you zelda your safe!)

  • Keyz #31 5 years ago

    Ouch.

  • FooAtari #32 5 years ago

    This is pretty disapointing stuff. Ubi are able to make some fairly decent games on 360 yet are churning out this crap on the Wii, but its not only them is it...

    I'm not really a fan of Zelda games and Wii sports while fun is a bit of a party game with little substance, what else is there at the moment?

    I was all set to try and get hold of one in Janurary, but it looks like I'll be holding off for a while, see how things go...

  • pinkio #33 5 years ago

    Is it just me, or is there a really good..... stand back..... CRICKET game lurking in the Wii..... The bowling action should be easy... add a bit of spin.... release the 'A' button at the appropriate time. Batting will obviously work a la 'Tennis' or 'Baseball'. Just a thought.... developers can contact me for further ideas!!!

  • Keza #34 5 years ago

    Now hang on a minute.

    Why all the Wii vehemence? It hasn't actually got *any* "crap" titles so far (except this one). Most of them are half-baked-but-enjoyable 6/10 sorts, and one or two are excellent.

  • playgen #35 5 years ago

    Yeah but the Wii is easier to develop for - or at least thats the excuse for making it underpowered. And developers have had plenty of time to make games, especially Nintendo who have done feck all on Gamecube for a long time. It needs great games fast to make sure its not seen as a gimmick console

  • playgen #36 5 years ago

    Althought the PS3 is looking pretty awful at the moment, at least Sony have the option of dropping the price. The Wii is stuck with the outdated (apart from controller) technology. And anyone who doesnt think thats going to be a limitation on what games come out on Wii is dreaming

  • playgen #37 5 years ago

    The PS2 isnt that much less powerful than cube or xbox. Its not comparable to the huge difference the wii is limited with, some games just won't be possible without huge cutbacks. Many developers just won't be willing to degrade their games to make them work on Wii, powerful hardware is attractive to developers as it gives them more freedom

    And Soul Calibur 2 looks great on PS2, not sure why you used taht as an example, and i have played it on other systems
    Edited by 1 at 19/12/06 @ 17:18

  • morriss #38 5 years ago

    WHen will the Wii actually get a decent title full stop? Zelda doesn't count really does it?

  • playgen #39 5 years ago

    Its not that much of a difference as far as im concerned.

    Going with the PS2 being less powerful - thats the reason Doom3, HalfLife 2, Riddick etc didnt come out for it. And the difference between PS2 and Xbox is smaller than the difference between Wii and 360 or PS3. Some developers will just refuse to make their games on Wii, even though it could earn them more money.

  • L0cky #40 5 years ago

    'I guess that's why the batteries aren't rechargable, eh?'

    Ouch

  • chupachups #41 5 years ago

    "WHen will the Wii actually get a decent title full stop? Zelda doesn't count really does it?"

    You mean a good title written specifically for the Wii? Judging by the time it took on the DS, I'd expect them to appear next summer and autumn.

  • #42 5 years ago

    Ubisoft did a good job with Red Steel but I think their 'Excite Truck' effort should have been left on the brain-storming board.

  • Sid-Nice #43 5 years ago

    This shit has Sweet FA to do with the Wii or the Wii's controller. A game that was crap on the Xbox won't suddenly become good with a new control system. Why oh why are you letting these bastards get away with this Nintendo? The bad news is there's still more to come. :(

  • Rambaldi #44 5 years ago

    Ahem. God bless postponed Cube titles, eh?

  • smelly #45 5 years ago

    YAY!!! Another one of the (many) wii launch titles gets a crap review.. That must mean ALL wii games are shit, and always will be!

    >Why oh why are you letting these bastards get away with this Nintendo?

    Because they've learned from sony and microsoft.. having LOTS of shit games sells your console! If you just do what nintendo have done in the past and only allow half decent games.. then people moan there arent enough games.

    Like it or not.. This is what you 'hardcore' guys have always moaned about nintendo.. not enough 3rd party support as on ps2/etc..

  • JediMasterMalik #46 5 years ago

    At least with alot of crap titles you get some gems.

  • spongebob #47 5 years ago

    It's like always on console launch, publishers rush some half-arsed ports and console maker is happy because it looks like there's something to actually choose from right from the bat. Like, take Wii for example, who would buy anything else from the lineup but Zelda and Wii Play?

  • patchbox360 #48 5 years ago




    Is it just rumour that the Wii controller is operational on the ps3 to some degree????

  • smelly #49 5 years ago

    >would buy anything else from the lineup but Zelda and Wii Play?

    I also have rayman and excite truck.. neither are BRILLIANT games but both are good fun and worth owning imho.

    Soon there'll be warioware/mario/smash bros/metroid... So hardly a shit line up regardless what the fangirls want you to believe.

  • pjmaybe #50 5 years ago

    I like it.

    Controversially I like it more than I liked the early build of Excitetruck. It doesn't deserve much more than a 6 or 7 though.

    Oh and thanks for sticking that bloody song in my head...AGAIN!


    Peej

  • Tomo #51 5 years ago

    The "Wii is dead" comments are really original, well done everyone. I can't wait for the inevitable corkers that will come with the release of the PS3.

    Anyway, did anyone actually read the review? Whilst it seems 4x4 is hardly a good game, no where does the reviewer slate the thing. The 4 seems a tad on the harsh side to me, judging from what he said.