"Smashing baby!"

Until the release of this game, car games generally had one objective: Cross the finish line with the best time. Destruction Derby was the first few games released where the formula was broken. While the likes of Carmageddon and Streets of Sim City had you smashing cars and pedestrians alike, there wasn't much realism in it.

Destruction Derby doesn't have a storyline. That doesn't really matter in this game, really. After the main screen, you are given the choice between Wreckin' Racing, in which you accumulate points in spinning the opponent's car around and destroying it, Stock Car Racing for those who haven't been able to embrace the concept straight away and Destruction Derby, in which you fight to be the last man standing against 16 other computer controlled cars, with a survival mode in which everyone will go only after you at all costs. The "career mode" is called the Championship. However, there are no real rewards to for getting to number #1, except that your rooftop changes colour. May not sound a lot, however the thrills you'll have with this game should keep you from being focused on it.

Graphically it isn't groundbreaking. It isn't perfect, however the damage your car receives when it's being abused is noticeable as you or your opponents smash in to various parts of the car. So if your car has been pummeled head on, you'll notice that the front end would be pushed right back to the driver's compartment. However if you were to lose your wheels, you'll slow down to a crawl, leaving you vulnerable to attack, especially in the bowl. The music in this game is simply fantastic as it fits in with the level and unlike other games; the music is not a 10 second loop but a proper composition of techno music. Also, you have a commentator who will be giving his views of the wrecking along with sledging you can hear from other opponents when you hit them.

Destruction Derby does have its flaws. Mainly the multi player is lacking as it requires the impossible to find Link Cable and if not, the only thing you can do in multi player is to have turns, which defeats the purpose in a way as you can't take on your mates head on, rather you'll have to compete against the computer. Also, while it may be realistic in the sense that you aren't arming your car with missiles like in Vigilante 8, the physics may have some people grinding their teeth in frustration as you ram someone head on only to bounce off like rubber and that you can't flip them over. Also, this game feels that it's bare at some sections. You can't select an opponent, you can only pick one Destruction Derby arena and the rewards for winning aren't exactly going to have you putting the controller down and scream like a girl in excitement. The commentator can also get on people's nerves at times; particularly when you are being frustrated at the game, so hearing him will give heighten some people's blood pressure in annoyance. Another irritant that will have some people reaching for the mute button is the sledging you receive when you ram them, though again this usually occurs when you are grinding your teeth in frustration.

Destruction Derby is a game that if you find, you should have a go. While it does sound rather pointless to some that a game makes no storyline and no real reward for winning, the flaws can be overlooked for the excitement it can bring when you have a blown radiator and you have only one more car to defeat. This is a game that should be given a go as you may be picking it up every couple of days to see how long you'll go in survival.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/16/08

Game Release: Destruction Derby (EU, October 1995)