Most multiplatform console releases see very minimal differences between versions, and this rings mostly true for ATV Quad Power Racing 2, though the PlayStation 2 version comes out looking worse than the Xbox or GameCube versions due to some technical problems. As mentioned, the different tracks convey the look and feel of their environments nicely, and though the actual polygonal construction of the courses is fair at best, the tracks are gussied up with clean, good-looking high-res textures. But the quality of the riders doesn't match that of the tracks, and the disparity in quality between the two makes the riders' simple construction, blurry textures, and uninspired, unrealistic-looking animations stick out that much more. While all three versions appear essentially the same, the PlayStation 2 version's shortcomings become apparent once you put it in motion. Specifically, the frame rate in ATV Quad Power Racing 2 is just downright erratic, stuttering and slowing down for no real apparent reason. You might also notice some strange issues with the rider textures as the riders come up from behind to pass you, which is something that only the PlayStation 2 version suffers from.
A series of ground challenges is available for honing your skills.
The licensed soundtrack has become a fixture in action sports games, and it can be a really effective and easy way to give a game some good energy and attitude, but ATV Quad Power Racing 2 abuses this convention by including only seven songs on the soundtrack. All of it is guitar-driven rock or metal-tinged punk, but if you consider that you'll run through two songs in a single race, only someone that's a huge fan of all seven songs wouldn't get tired of the selection after a few hours of play. The rest of the game's sound basically consists of the constant blaring of your engine, which stays the same regardless of which quad you're riding, and is underlined by the occasional grunt from a rider.
While there's no real competition for a quad racing game on the Xbox or GameCube, on the PS2, both of the ATV Off-Road Fury games pull off what ATV Quad Power Racing 2 tries for, and with more style and technical proficiency. So while ATV Quad Power Racing 2 is a pretty decent racing game on its own merits, it can't be recommended over a couple of similar games that are already available.
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ATV Quad Power Racing 2 (PlayStation 2):
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