Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition

I have to admit that when Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition was yet to be released on the major consoles, the whispers of a PSP version had me very excited. Having seen what our sleek portable gaming machine is capable of I was confident Rockstar would bring all the elements we love about the series because, hey, sometimes a girl has to get her illegal racing and import tuning fix somehow. The rumors were true and now Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition for the PSP is here so let’s go for a ride.

The first thing you’ll notice after you’ve slipped the UMV into your handheld gaming machine and the opening sequence eventually loads is that it looks like the console version. The menu screen delivers the same game modes such as Career (the game’s main story mode) and Arcade mode (with ten different arcade-styled game modes). There’s even wireless multiplayer options to play this game with up to six other friends using Ad Hoc. In short, this is pretty much a port faithful to the PS2 console version with some tasty fat cut out.

Career Mode starts you off with enough money to purchase any of the six starter cars that range from a sleek Mitsubishi Eclipse to an old-school classic like a ‘64 Chevy Impala in San Diego’s finest performance shop Six-Nine-Six. After testing your skills behind the wheel in your first illegal street race, you find yourself deeply immersed in this sub-culture and challenged by known street racers and underground race clubs. The more challenges you accept the more money you earn to modify your ride or purchase far more exotic rides that range from the new to the classics to roaring choppers. You can even win new rides by racing in certain races (this is how you get your first motorcycle, actually).

It’s surprising how much of the console version can be found here but it also becomes somewhat evident, especially to those who own a PS2 or Xbox copy, that some small features have been left out. Aside from pedestrian traffic, the sense of speed is somewhat missing. Yet what becomes evident the second you start picking your first car or accepting your first race are the load times. The load times in this game are lengthy affairs ... lengthy, as in you’ll watch the screen dim after a minute of inactivity. I clocked one load time at two minutes! I’m willing to sacrifice a minute or two for quality and decent gameplay but the fact that the load times pop up frequently will get on your nerves pretty quickly.

On the other hand, what the game gets right is pure gold. The import tuning from the big boys is completely intact so you can be as creative with your modifications and bodywork. It’s fun to trick out your ride anyway you want and there’s enough goodies to unlock to give you plenty of options. The races themselves are handled just as great and seeing as this is more an arcade-styled racing game than a strict racing simulator they’re fast and furious and mighty fun. There are eight specialty moves you can unlock such as two-wheel driving to Agro (a move that allows you to plow through traffic like a tank). Best of all, all three cities (San Diego, Atlanta and Detroit) feature all the same side-streets, alleys and shortcuts found in the console version so there’s a lot to see if you decide to cruise around the city.

Control-wise, the game runs into a little problem that’s directed at the analog control as well as some button issues. Not as responsive as it should be, the analog control makes for some slightly awkward turns and maneuvering but it is still responsive enough that you won’t find yourself cursing the controls for making you lose a race. I found the more I played the game the more I got the hang of the control scheme and, thankfully, Rockstar was smart enough to include the option to change the controls to your liking.

When you’re not busy with the Career Mode races there’s the Arcade Mode, which includes a nice number of arcade racing modes. Aside from the usual Circuit, Track, Ordered or Unordered races there’s Capture the Flag, Tag, Paint, Autocross and Frenzy. The wildest modes like Tag, Paint and Capture the Flag are the most fun and with plenty of Power Up items scattered throughout the streets there’s fun backstabbing to be had. For example, Capture the Flag has you attempting to take a flag from its spawn point and deliver it to a drop-off point. Occasionally other racers will beat you to the flag so making use of a Power Up such as Ice will make drivers skid off the road as if they were driving on ice and thus making the flag easy to snatch away.

Visually, the three cities from the console version are pretty much intact in the PSP version. The cities are alive with traffic and the night street glitter from the lights. It's surprising to see how massive the cities look (I can already imagine how amazing Liberty City will look in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories), although the pedestrian traffic is a no-show here. The vehicles themselves look amazing and reflect the lights of the cities as well as the headlight of oncoming traffic. There are cut scenes but the quality isn’t as great as the console version. Still, we’re looking at an amazing-looking game.

As for the sound, the game’s soundtrack is chock full of tunes ... I’m talking a massive song list with enough electronic, hip-hop and a smattering of rock tunes to keep you from listening to the same song twice. You’ll find tunes from artists like Fat Joe and Sean Paul to Jimmy Eat World and Nine Inch Nails. There’s also some decent sound effects but, like the voices, sound barely audible. Putting the earphones on helps remedy this a little, but not by very much.

As a fan of the Midnight Club series, it was easy for me to dismiss the small control problems or the fact that some of the little things in the console version were left out. Its flaws might stand out but they do not distract from the magnificent port of a game with a lot to offer fans of illegal street racing and import tuning. As it stands, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition for the PSP might not be perfect but it delivers all the goods that make this one a great portable arcade-styled racing game. This one is certainly worth the purchase price.

Gameplay: 8.0
The cars might not handle as tightly as the console version but the more you play the more you’ll come to love its style on the PSP. Even the in-depth tuning bits and bike races are featured in this one so there’s a lot to love here. Just try not to let the long load times drive you crazy.

Graphics: 8.9
You’ll find it hard not to be impressed by a game the pretty much captures the graphics of the PS2 version of the game. The cars look amazing even at top speeds and even the collisions in this game make a nice impact. The cities look alive and the traffic just adds to a world filled with everything except pedestrians. It’s just too bad the cutscenes are a bit choppy.

Sound: 7.8
If the visuals weren’t enough to make your jaw drop to the floor, the massive collection of tunes featured in this game make just means you won’t be hearing the same tunes over and over. Mainly electronica tunes with some hip-hop and a mix of rock tunes from the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, the soundtrack still might not be everyone’s cup of tea. There’s voice acting in this but the voices sound a bit muffled as does the sound effects.

Difficulty: Medium
It’s good to see that the AI wasn’t sacrificed so the races, be it regular challenges or club challenges, are nicely challenging. The early races will seem like a breeze but once you get into the thick of things you’ll find plenty of challenges even in the medium setting.

Concept: 8.5
Surprisingly enough, while the PSP version did cut a few corners here and there, that addictive Midnight Club feel is intact. Whether you’re into the tuner scene or love the feel of an illegal race at dawn, DUB Edition is done right. There are even a nice number of cars to pick from ... although, personally, we could have done without the bulky H1. No Map Editor, though? So this is what it feels like when doves cry.

Multiplayer: 7.5
Up to six players can hit the streets and race against each another in true arcade style. There are enough modes and vehicles so each gamer can bring their own stylish ride to modes like Paint. The only problem is that the long load times feel just a tad longer in multiplayer. Do not play this with your more impatient friends.

Overall: 8.0
Even with its small share of problems and the exclusion of a few features here and there, Midnight Club: DUB Edition for the PSP is a Must-Have for gamers that are in the mood for arcade racing at its most fun. You’ll be surprised how wonderfully faithful to the console version this game really is so give this a try if you’ve already worn out Ridge Racer or Need for Speed Underground: Rivals.