Extreme Gamers’ Best Racing Game of 2006, Test Drive Unlimited has been shrunk down to fit the PSP handheld, and ported over to the Playstation 2. It’s an ambitious switch over given the scale and innovation of the console hit. Let’s hit the road to see if the Sony version can match speed with its console big brother.

Last Year, Test Drive Unlimited for the Xbox 360 reclaimed some solid progress in the reviving the illustrious Test Drive franchise. After a number of failed attempts the Test Drive series finally found its grove again. It’s no surprise given the amount of success Test Drive Unlimited had on the Xbox 360 that Atari is looking for a few more bucks to pull out of the series. So, they have dug up developer Melbourne House to recreate Eden Studios remarkable tourist racer for two Sony platforms.

Converting the questionable online-offline racer over to lower powered systems is a tricky situation, it’s impossible for the game to keep all its features. Test Drive Unlimited has been downgraded, but the feel game remains intact. Atari has managed to keep the core values and game modes in place with slight adjustments, and a newly rendered game engine. For what they have accomplished they should have a round of applause because Test Drive Unlimited still brings the tourist island of Oahu into your driving needs, free of load times, and full of racing and winding road driving.

In another remarkable feat Test Drive Unlimited still has its online portion intact, although it's dumbed down. I thought the online side of TDU (Test Drive Unlimited) would be the first aspect of go, but I was wrong, they managed to hold on to it slightly. Atari really pushed the Massive Open Online Racer (MOOR) and I think they wanted the portable version to hold the same title, no matter how skimpy it might be. If you want to go online hook up your broadband connection and meet some strangers for some racing action, or just enjoy the adequate computer drones that are cursing the island as well it’s your choice.

The online car clubs have been nicked, and the user created races have been limited in types and amount of races available. Since a good variety and the clan aspect of the clubs are so popular even a year from away from the games release, I think the lack of these options and the low player count will vacate the online world in a few months. Creating your own challenges and posting them online with hundreds of other players, or just competing with your clan members was a major calling card for the Xbox 360. It’s unpractical to think they could have squeezed it all onto the scale down version, so although it’s a down point, it’s not too shocking.

There are lots of events to participate in the huge twisting roads Oahu. It's yours to discover, with a sense of scale that is rather large for a portable, or console game. This is a credit to their optimization talents over at Atari, and Melbourne for fitting all the content into a no loading situation for the PSP.  In Test Drive Unlimited you basically advance challenge by challenge in an open world settings. The restrictions are only set by the rating on the catalogue of cars you own. In the beginning of the game you will have a lower class like a Saturn or Mustang, and build you way by winning cash to the Lamborghini’s and Ferraris. That Test Drive Unlimited in the basics, race, earn cash, buy things, considering the driving aspect is so enjoyable this is good enough to keep you satisfied for hours with this new version.

Another aspect besides the portion of the online game that has gone missing is the personal touch of having a character you can dress up and take around the island. This isn’t a major factor, just a bonus for the console. After all Test Drive is mainly about driving, it doesn’t make a difference what brand of shades you have on. The in car view has also been scratched in the PSP version, but kept in the PS2 edition; I guess you can’t have it all. Lastly, the Motorcycles have also been removed for TDU which isn’t a huge surprise. The two wheel death machines really didn’t come close to handling like the quality of the cars, so the decision to axe them was good. Anyone who has played the 360 version can testify to that.

With some aspects gone it was balanced with some new races, a championship series, and a new Kudos styled system where you rack up racing points. The points are kept track in the left upper corner on your screen and go up when you drive with style, getting air, or drifting, and when you win races. What the points can do for you is unlock new races giving you another aspect to aspire to in Test Drive Unlimited. This system actually could have work on the Xbox 360, PC version as well. I guess its one of those after thought items. I’m sure we will see it in the next Test Drive console game.

I felt Test Drive Unlimited also did some tweaking to the Police A.I., the men and women in blue seem more attentive and aggressive then the Xbox 360 version.  In the 360 version they where a huge push over and almost not worth having in the game, but now you’re really have to watch yourself before you cause a interstate pile up. In the other regard the opponent A.I. doesn’t seem as adjusted and this could be because the difficulty level is more lumped together in this version. I didn’t find the portable game as challenging, even though in the spectrum of racing games, Test Drive Unlimited isn’t F1.

From the moment you rent a car, participate in your first race, and then purchase a house you will see the value in Test Drive Unlimited.  The versatile set up they have created using the large free roam island is a refreshing perspective from the tuner competitiveness of racers like NFS. Progressing through the ranks and exploring the island is enough rewarding enough with some dude in a Honda want to drift race. Atari is bringing the series back into the mix, it’s been a long time since I’ve had this much love for a Test Drive game, hopefully this is another sign pointing towards a rejuvenated future.

The graphics content keeps the same basic look to the Xbox 360, PC versions, but obviously it can compare head on. The frame rate is rather jerky and a simple task on the 360 version like zooming out on the island takes considerable loading time. For what they accomplished the game looks great in the respect of size, environments, and car models. Loading for races is fairly quick as well and once you’re off, Test Drive really comes together into solid translation for the console code. The sound portion is also kept up with the other version with soundtracks and the female narrators still present. Test Drive Unlimited for the PSP really did a great job optimizing the big console version on the small by capable PSP chipset. I think Test Drive will impress anyone not familiar with the other version. For a PSP game, TDU is stacked.

Test Drive Unlimited is a great game that stands on its own beside the Xbox 360 version. Melbourne House and Atari did a great job adequately adapting Test Drive Unlimited into a fun portable version you can take with you.  The dumbed down versions might not have the same draw as the console version, but for a portable racing game, Test Drive Unlimited is excellent. Either racing in fierce match ups or just acting like a tourist, Test Drive Unlimited is one of the most pleasurable driving experiences you can have on the PSP.  If you haven’t experienced any version of Test Drive Unlimited, I would jump right to the console, or PC to see the true potential of the game. This is still one game I constantly play after all this time.

Gameplay: 7.5, Graphics/Sound: 8, Innovation: 7, Mojo: 8. Final: 7.5 / 10